SQL Server Backups

[chris_cf]

Has anyone used SFFS to successfully and reliably backup SQL Server database files?

[superflexible]

Hello,

from our customer reports I know that there are quite a few who are doing that successfully. If SQL server is running, the Volume Shadow functionality is used to access the locked database file. On Windows Server 2008 (as well as Windows Vista and 7), this functionality is only available when the program is running "As Administrator". If the scheduler is used, it must be installed as a service.

To install the scheduler as a service, please go to the Schedule tab sheet, stop the Background Scheduler and change the view to "Use: Service Scheduler".

[chris_cf]

Thanks a mil.

My concern is in the integrity of the backup of a live DB. I am not exactly sure how Shadow Copy works but I can only speculate that if a Shadow Copy is done in the middle of an SQL transaction, the data backed up would be in an incomplete state.

Can anyone confirm if/how the integrity of the data would remain in tact in this case?

[superflexible]

So far there have not been any problem reports concerning inconsistent databases. The VSS feature has been supported for around 4 years now. However, I intend to support the SQLServer VSS Writer directly in a future version to make it bullet proof. You can already select the Sql Server Writer on the Advanced VSS Settings dialog but I think there is a bit more to it that still needs to be implemented in the software.