SQL agent

[dmvdmv]

My client doesn't seem to have the MS-SQL agent running, yet on their backup logs they get no error. It looks like it is backing up the databases. Is this correct? Shouldn't they get an error message?

Thanks,
DMV

 

[SQLBill]

Nope. It's backing up the files. It's just that the files will be unusable and you won't be able to restore them.

UNLESS, they are stopping the SQL Server services and backing up the .mdf and .ldf files while they are offline. If so then that will work. BUT if the databases are online, they aren't getting a usable backup.

-SQLBill

 

[dmvdmv]

Ooooooh...I love backing up files that can never be restored!

Thanks for that very useful bit of info.

DMV

 

[dmvdmv]

SQLBill-

One more thing, if you don't mind.....is there any way to determine if they ARE stopping the services and backing up the .mdf & .ldf files? Anything I can look at?
FYI, we are their software dealer, not their network/hardware company. That's why I'm not sure how they're set up.

Thanks,
DMV

 

[SQLBill]

Ask them. Another possibility, they could be doing 'native' SQL Server backups (using the BACKUP DATABASE command) and backing up to disk, then using Backup Exec to copy those files to tape.

Again, you would have to ask them how they are doing it.

-SQLBill