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Windows Backup Choices: Where do you want to store your backups?
I am setting up backups for a couple of servers (Windows 2008 R2). When I was configuring Windows Backup, a window opened (screen shot attached) asking me if I want to A) "Backup to a hard disk that is dedicated for backups (recommended)
Then says hard disc will be formatted and dedicated to only store backups. B) Back up to a volume that is not dedicated to backups.
Does this really make a difference? I am using a hard drive that already is dedicated to backups but I can't choose A) since it will reformat the disc. Don't know if MS gave this enough thought. Please advise. thanks
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Then says hard disc will be formatted and dedicated to only store backups. B) Back up to a volume that is not dedicated to backups.
Does this really make a difference? I am using a hard drive that already is dedicated to backups but I can't choose A) since it will reformat the disc. Don't know if MS gave this enough thought. Please advise. thanks
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If I'm not mistaken, a dedicated disk does not get a drive letter - I can see this being more secure and better protected from viruses and the like...
The disk is formatted in to small volumes and they are in RAW format (I think) so you don't have any access to them.
If you chose the first choice, it will delete the volume that is on that disk and repartition it, you will lose all data on that drive.
If you chose the first choice, it will delete the volume that is on that disk and repartition it, you will lose all data on that drive.
ASKER
You say "you don't have any access to them." But of course I would have access to the backup files. Just wouldn't have access to save anything else, correct?
Are the backup files the same in both instances (dedicated vs. volume) or are they different types of files? thanks
Are the backup files the same in both instances (dedicated vs. volume) or are they different types of files? thanks
The Backup Disk (the first option) are not assigned a drive letter, they are broken down to individual volumes for each backup, so no, you won't be able to save anythingelse on them
The backup to volume is a file based backup.
The backup to volume is a file based backup.
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"you that dedicated volume is included in the full backup and asks if you want to exclude (which of course you do)."
What do you mean by "if you want to exclude?" Exclude what?
Could this dedicated backup drive be used as a destination for SQL Server Maintenance Plan backups or only Windows Backups. Thanks
What do you mean by "if you want to exclude?" Exclude what?
Could this dedicated backup drive be used as a destination for SQL Server Maintenance Plan backups or only Windows Backups. Thanks
It can only be used for Windows Backups if you are using dedicated disk, if you use Option 2 than it can be used for SQL backups as well.
When you select full server, it includes all volumes, system state, system reserved, bare metal recovery. All volumes includes that volume for backups. It will ask if you want to exclude that volume, which is what you need to do.
If you want to add SQL backups, then the backup option you want is to a volume, not a dedicated disk. You can still use that separate disk, just assign a letter to it. The folder structure is the same. You can then add SQL backup if you like; just don't put in same folder.
If you want to add SQL backups, then the backup option you want is to a volume, not a dedicated disk. You can still use that separate disk, just assign a letter to it. The folder structure is the same. You can then add SQL backup if you like; just don't put in same folder.
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If I choose the first choice, format - Will it reformat the entire volume and erase my other backups or only format the part of the volume that is still available?