SQL Server Backup Archives

Complete Guide to SQL Server Backup and Restore Using the Command Line

May 17, 2023March 17, 2023 by Ivan Gusev

Creating backups of a SQL Server database is one of the most critical aspects of maintaining a system. There are various tools available for creating backups, such as SQL Server Management Studio, SqlBak, and SQLBackupAndFTP. However, performing backups via the command line interface can provide even more flexibility and customization options.

PowerShell and batch scripts can be used to perform SQL Server backups via the command line interface. PowerShell scripts offer advanced functionality, while batch scripts are simpler and easier to use. Command line backups provide more flexibility and customization options than GUI-based tools.

This article provides an overview of the process involved in performing SQL Server backups via the command line interface and discusses the advantages of using PowerShell and batch scripts.

SqlBak Guide: Backup Compression

March 8, 2023 by Ivan Gusev

If a database that should be backed up via SqlBak is not particularly large, then there is no need to set compression options in a specific way. It is recommended to use the default values.

The features below are designed to fine-tune compression for highly loaded systems and large databases.

SqlBak Guide: SQL Server Differential and Transaction Log Backups

March 3, 2023 by Ivan Gusev

Differential and transaction log backups are available only for local SQL Server connections. If you backup SQL Server using SqlBak, then you can add differential or transaction log backups to your backup plan in the “Advanced backup schedule” settings.

SqlBak Guide: Which databases should be chosen in a backup job?

February 27, 2023 by Ivan Gusev

In one database management system, there can be multiple databases. When creating a backup job, you can choose which databases specifically need to be backed up. The backup of each database will be made independently from the other databases and placed in a separate archive.

SqlBak Guide: Backup Storage Selection

February 27, 2023January 27, 2023 by Ivan Gusev

SqlBak supports sending to 16 different storage types. In one job, you can specify multiple backup storage locations, and for each storage location, you can specify the duration of backup storage on it.

Note:
SqlBak does not store your backups on its servers. Backups are sent directly from your server to the storage location.

5 ways to reduce SQL Server backup size

February 23, 2022 by Ivan Gusev

SQL Server backup is a page-by-page physical copy of the database files. And, generally, the size of a backup is about the size of the database. However, there are several ways to cut the backup size substantially.

Reducing the backup size has the following benefits:

Automated SQL Server Backups to Amazon S3 on Windows

January 25, 2023July 19, 2021 by Omelchenko Alexander

Problem

The BACKUP DATABASE command syntax allows performing backups by specifying a drive, a network folder or Azure storage as the destination. Although it is not possible to set an Amazon S3 bucket as a backup save point, you can transfer the file to S3 using a batch script or a third-party utility.

How to backup remote SQL Server database using SqlBak

January 19, 2022September 17, 2020 by Omelchenko Alexander

With the help of SqlBak, you can backup your remote SQL Server databases according to your schedule. A standard BACKUP DATABASE command doesn’t work on a remote SQL Server — only scripts can be generated. If there is a choice between script generation or performing backups in *.bak files, it is always recommended to run the standard BACKUP DATABASE command to get *.bak files. Scripts have some drawbacks: they are larger and do not support differential and transaction log backups. A more detailed explanation about remote backups can be found in the following blog post.

How to backup and restore Amazon RDS SQL Server

January 12, 2022September 17, 2020 by Omelchenko Alexander

Amazon RDS SQL Server is a cloud database from Amazon. The way RDS SQL Server performs backups is the main difference between this and the classic SQL Server. It offers the following: snapshots, restore point-in-time, Export Data-tier Application and native backup to S3 (instead of native T-SQL BACKUP DATABASE construction).

How to get app keys for OneDrive For Business

December 31, 2021May 21, 2020 by Omelchenko Alexander

Below is a short step-by-step tutorial on how to get private keys for OneDrive for Business.