SQL Server Database Backup

[s2001]

Is there any way to backup and restore databases without using T-SQL commands ? The reason I am asking this is that T-SQL backup command is taking too long to complete. The database I want to backup is about 50gb. I am a programmer and would like to know if there is any low level API call I can make use of to get the backups done faster. I am not interested in 3rd party backup tools. Any help is much appreciated .

Thanks,
MB

 

[mrdenny]

Nope, the backup command is it.

All those third party tools use an API to create a virtual backup device then they use the backup database command to backup the database.

A 50GB database will take a while to backup. It's a lot of information to move. How long is it taking to backup?

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

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[s2001]

thanks a lot. Do you know what API is used for that matter...can you please point me to link...

the backup of the database take anywhere between 5-7hrs..

thanks a lot...

Thanks,
MB

 

[mrdenny]

I've got no idea how they create the virtual backup device. It won't speed up your backup any.

Depending on your database servers load and your disk config, I can see that backup time being about write.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

Donate to Katrina relief

 

[fredericofonseca]

what type of device are you using for backing up? and is it a network tape or connected to the Server directly?

This is where you can change things.


and what software are u using? SQL Server backup or a agent for another backup software?

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[s2001]

thanks for the reply guys. I am using SQL Server Backup and backing things to the Disk. I tried to back up locally and on drive locate on another machine..not much perofmance improvement...i am not planning to backup on tape for now...

Thanks,
MB

 

[fredericofonseca]

For that type of information you really should consider a good backup system.

I am backing up 115 GB everynight, and my backup takes 2 hours using a LTO-1 drive (100/200 GB), HD's U320, and using Tapeware backup.

So your backup should really be faster than that.

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[SQLBill]

My server has 4 1GB processors and a 1 terabyte SAN storage. I back up a 205 GB database to disk in 6 hours. What kind of set up do you have?

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[SQLBill]

And is SQL Server the only application on the server?

-SQLBill

Posting advice: FAQ481-4875

 

[s2001]

thanks for the response. no there are other small server specific application running...(but they do not have much CPU utilization)..

i do not have the cpu that SQLBill is having...

Thanks,
MB