Question

Copy MDF and LDF files while SQL running?

Asked by: Volibrawl

As a backup precaution, can we just copy all our SQL MDF and LDF files to another computer on the network periodically?

Can you copy these files without shutting down SQL  (ie while they are still Attached Databases).

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Asked On
2007-03-30 at 11:49:55ID22483555
Tags

mdf

,

copy

,

sql

,

ldf

,

file

Topics

SQL Server 2005

,

MS SQL Server

Participating Experts
5
Points
250
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: SireesPosted on 2007-03-30 at 11:55:40ID: 18825663

<< (ie while they are still Attached Databases).>>

No.

You can perform backups and store them.

 

by: Atlanta_MikePosted on 2007-03-30 at 11:59:06ID: 18825704

Sirees is correct. Your best solution is to schedule a daily backup. If this is a critical application you need to run frequent log file backups. The more frequent your log file backups the less data you will loose in a disaster.

 

by: VolibrawlPosted on 2007-03-30 at 12:32:14ID: 18825941

Where / how do you schedule daily backups and "frequent" log backups.  I am a novice at this ...   Is there a backup scheduling Wizard or something?

We have 2005 Management Studio.

 

by: Atlanta_MikePosted on 2007-03-30 at 12:48:17ID: 18826047

Easiest way is to right mouse click on the database, select the options you want (i.e. Overwrite all existincg backups etc...)

Click the Script button. Copy the script.

Go to Management > SQL Server Agent > Jobs -- Right click on Jobs, select New Job
Enter name, select category (just informational)
Select Steps, New... > Name the step
Type should be T-SQL
Paste Backup job script in command screen and select OK
Select Schedules > add New... > configure your schedule...

That should get you where you need to be.

Take advantage of Books On Line (Help) ... its very good.

 

by: eozz_2000Posted on 2007-03-30 at 17:03:58ID: 18827145

Nop, you can do a Maintenance Plan without more problems, with that wizard, you'll get all the jobs that you need.

 

by: eozz_2000Posted on 2007-03-30 at 17:07:02ID: 18827151

Well, I think that you must do a full backup of your database daily and differential backups during the day, of course, for each full backup you'll need a backup of your log and for each differential backup you'll need a log backup.

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2007-03-30 at 19:16:37ID: 18827488

>>We have 2005 Management Studio.<<
Which Edition of SQL Server 2005 are you using?  Enterprise, Standard, Developer, Express, ...?

 

by: VolibrawlPosted on 2007-04-02 at 04:58:05ID: 18835525

Standard.

 

by: amit_aryPosted on 2008-05-14 at 23:05:52ID: 21570952

try this...

CopySharp is a GUI tool for copying open/inprocess/lock files. It is inspired by robocopy and vshadow.

CopySharp V1.0 requires .Net Framework 3.5 and VC++ 2005 Runtime. CopySharp V1.0 requires Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003, Microsoft® Windows® XP.

For Example:
1. Try to backup/copy your .pst file(s), while your outlook is open.
2. Try to backup/copy your .mdf/.ldf (SQL Server) files, while your SQL Server is running.  

Locate it at: http://www.amitchaudhary.com/

 

by: VolibrawlPosted on 2008-05-17 at 06:53:00ID: 21589330

Thanks  for responding  .. although I have already adopted a different backup strategy, which works fine, I appreciate the advice.

Your utilities look great ... thanks for developing them.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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