Create Backup Set

Backup Requirements

Please ensure that the following requirements are met by the SQL Server:

  1. Databases files are spooled to a temporary directory before being uploaded to the offsite backup server.
    It is recommended that the temporary directory have disk space of at least 120% of the total database size.
  2. It is recommended that the temporary directory be configured on a local drive.
  3. The SQL Windows service must have read write permission to the temporary directory.
  4. For database with simple recovery model, only full database and differential database backups are allowed.


Considerations for backup and restore of system databases

Refer to the following tables for considerations for backup and restore of system databases:

Considerations for backup of system databases:

SQL server maintains a set of system level database which are essential for the operation of the server instance.

Several of the system databases must be backed up after every significant update, they includes:

For SQL database with replication enabled.

This table summarizes all of the system databases.

System databaseDescriptionBackup requiredSuggestion
master

The database that records all of the system level information of a SQL server system.

Yes

Back up the master database as often as necessary to protect the data sufficiently for your business needs.

Microsoft recommends a regular backup schedule, which you can supplement with manual backup after any substantial update.

model

The template for all databases that are created on the instance of SQL server.

Yes

Backup the model database only when necessary, for example, after customizing its database options.

Microsoft recommends that you create only full database backups of model, as required. Because model is small and rarely changes, backing up the log is unnecessary.

msdb

The msdb database is used by SQL Server Agent for scheduling alerts and jobs, and for recording operators.

It also contains history tables (e.g. backup / restore history table).

Yes

Back up msdb whenever it is updated.

tempdb

A workspace for holding temporary or intermediate result sets.

This database is recreated every time an instance of SQL server is started.

No

The tempdb system database cannot be backed up.

distribution

The distribution database exists only if the server is configured as a replication distributor.

It stores metadata and history data for all types of replication, and transactions for transactional replication.

Yes

Replicated databases and their associated system databases should be backed up regularly.


Considerations for restore of system databases:
System databaseRestore suggestion
master

To restore any database, the instance of SQL server must be running. Startup of an instance of SQL server requires that the master database is accessible and at least party useable.

Restore or rebuild the master database completely if master becomes un-useable.

modelRestore the model database if:
  • The master database has been rebuilt.
  • The model database has been damaged, for example due to media failure.
  • The model database has been modified, in this case, it is necessary to restore model from a backup when you rebuild master, because the Rebuild Master utility deletes and recreates model.
msdbRestore the msdb database if:
  • The master database has been rebuilt.
distribution

For restore strategies of distribution database, please refer to the following online document from Microsoft for more details:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms152560.aspx


Set the name of the backup set

Key:

Field Description
Name This is the name of the backup set. You can create a meaningful name for it.
Backup Type Enter the correct backup type from the drop down box.
Login ID The login ID to access your MS SQL server.
Password The login password to your MS SQL server.

To create a backup set name:

  1. Type in a meaningful backup set name.
  2. Enter correct backup type, eg: MS SQL server backup.
  3. Change the Login ID if necessary, by default 'sa'.
  4. Enter correct password.
  5. Click [Next] button to continue.
  6. Note: Click [Next] button again to start the verifying process