Database Mirroring and Backup

I am looking for help in setting up our mirroring / backup / snapshot strategy
We are definately going to use Database Mirroring
I also want to get my databases onto tape for archive. Do I only backup the
Primary SQL server? If so, do I just use the standard MS backup tools? If
so, and I backup the databases to .BAK files on the SAN, then I can just use
Veritas to backup those .BAKs to tape.
What about the Mirror SQL server? It is in a constant state of restore,
right? So how do I back that one up... or do I? If I don't, and it becomes
the Primary, then how is that newly-become Primary going to get backed-up?
Also, how can I fit Snapshots in to my scenario, to allow piecemeal restore
of my data?
thanks so much for any direction
Chris
Which mirroring option you're planing to use?
Regarding backups of primary, you'll need to set up a strategy for backing
up. I would set up maintenance plans on both servers and then disabled the
one on the Mirror. That leaves the problem of enabling it when it becomes
primary.
I'm not certain what are your requirements so I cant really comment on the
snapshots, only that offcourse you can do them on the mirror server.
MC
"Chris B" <Chris B@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:72BC6B9D-E1CD-4E55-AF7F-718C40F52E51@.microsoft.com...
>I am looking for help in setting up our mirroring / backup / snapshot
>strategy
> We are definately going to use Database Mirroring
> I also want to get my databases onto tape for archive. Do I only backup
> the
> Primary SQL server? If so, do I just use the standard MS backup tools? If
> so, and I backup the databases to .BAK files on the SAN, then I can just
> use
> Veritas to backup those .BAKs to tape.
> What about the Mirror SQL server? It is in a constant state of restore,
> right? So how do I back that one up... or do I? If I don't, and it
> becomes
> the Primary, then how is that newly-become Primary going to get backed-up?
> Also, how can I fit Snapshots in to my scenario, to allow piecemeal
> restore
> of my data?
> thanks so much for any direction
> Chris
|||The mirror can NOT be backed up. It is in a restoring state and constantly
appying transactions.
You configure your backups against your principal database. You should also
create the same jobs on the mirror, but disable them. When the mirror fails
over, you enable the jobs and backups continue. You then need to disable
the backups on what used to be the principal. Even though your chain of
backups occurs across 2 instances when you fail it over, this does NOT break
your transaction log chain. This is because the mirror database is
maintained in lock step with the principal, including the LSN chain. (There
are considerations you need to make if you are running in high performance
mode where all of the transactions on the principal might not have made it
to the mirror when it fails over.)
Backups are backups are backups. They don't change, just because you have a
mirror involved.
Database snapshots can be created against a mirror. You can NOT backup a
snapshot nor can you revert from a snapshot unless it is the only one in
existence against the database. It has nothing to do with a piecemeal
restore. A piecemeal restore refers to the ability to restore filegroups to
the database while other portions of the database remain operational and
accessible to applications.
Mike
http://www.solidqualitylearning.com
Disclaimer: This communication is an original work and represents my sole
views on the subject. It does not represent the views of any other person
or entity either by inference or direct reference.
"Chris B" <Chris B@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:72BC6B9D-E1CD-4E55-AF7F-718C40F52E51@.microsoft.com...
>I am looking for help in setting up our mirroring / backup / snapshot
>strategy
> We are definately going to use Database Mirroring
> I also want to get my databases onto tape for archive. Do I only backup
> the
> Primary SQL server? If so, do I just use the standard MS backup tools? If
> so, and I backup the databases to .BAK files on the SAN, then I can just
> use
> Veritas to backup those .BAKs to tape.
> What about the Mirror SQL server? It is in a constant state of restore,
> right? So how do I back that one up... or do I? If I don't, and it
> becomes
> the Primary, then how is that newly-become Primary going to get backed-up?
> Also, how can I fit Snapshots in to my scenario, to allow piecemeal
> restore
> of my data?
> thanks so much for any direction
> Chris