Compressing large database backups for moving

[KPiskulic]

Sorry about posting this question here, but it seemed like the best place to start as most people involved with databases are also involved with the transport of large amounts of data. I have a 25GB SQL Server 7 database (backup files are around 16 GB these days) this database resides at a client site. Our backup systems are not compatible so I am forced to bring over the backup via the VPN. This takes over 17 hours as long as my connectivity remains intact....sometimes longer. We then have a local copy of this database for in house development.

I would like to compress this file before I ship it to reduce the connectivity time. I am looking for a software compression utility that can handle a file this size for compression. Has anyone used anything that might work?

Thanks,

 

[tlbroadbent]

I don't know which compression utilities handle such large files. I'll include a couple of links where you can read about several programs and determine if one meets your needs.

I also recommend using a file splitter utility to split large files into smaller pieces. Depending on your configuration, you may be able to start multiple downloads at the same time, either on one PC or on multiple PC's. Running four or more downloads in parallel can certainly speed the process and reduce chance for errors. Also, if a download fails, you only have to download that piece.

Check out File Splitter Deluxe at

http://www.softdd.com/filesplt/index.htm.

After all the pieces download, you can put them back together with the utility.

http://www.tucows.com/compnt.html

http://www.yippee.net/html/win/utilities/archivingcompressiontools.htm

http://epinions.lycos.com/cmsw-Utilities-All-Compression

http://cwsapps.txcyber.com/32comp-reviews.html

Terry

http://members.home.net/tlbroadbent/index.htm