Database Backup

How To Backup A SQL Database

1. Once you are connected to the correct database engine, In object explorer, Click the server name to expand the tree view.
2. Expand the databases, Select the database you wish to Backup.
3. Right-Click on the database, Go to TASKS, Then select BACKUP to bring up the backup dialog box.
4. Verify the database name in the database list box. You can select a different database to backup from the list.
5. You will have the choice to backup for any recovery model (FULL, BULK, LOGGED or SAMPLE)
6. Select FULL from the backup type 

   NOTE: You can choose to do a COPY ONLY BACKUP. A copy only backup is a SQL Server backup that is independent of the sequence of conventional SQL Server backups.

    
7. For Backup Component, Click  Database
8. You can either accept the default backup name suggested or choose a different name in the Name Text box.
9. You can choose to gice the backup a description (This is optional) in the Description Text box.
10. You can specify when the backup set will expire and can be overwritten. To select in days you can pick a value from 0 to 99999 days. 0 is classed as never expire and cannot be overwritten.
11. Choose the type of backup either DISK or TAPE. To select the paths of up to 64 disk or tape drives containing a single media set, Click ADD. The selected paths are displayed in the Backup to List box. 

    NOTE: You can choose to do a COPY ONLY BACKUP. A copy only backup is a SQL Server backup that is independent of the sequence of conventional SQL Server backups.

12. To view or select the Advanced Options, Click OPTIONS in the SELECT A PAGE Pane
13.  OVERWRITE MEDIA Options:  Backup To Existing Media Set -  You can choose either Appeqnd To Existing Backup Set  Or Overwrite All Existing Backup Sets
14. In the Reliabilty  section you have the option to Verify Backup When Finished, Perform Checksum When Finished
15. FINALY: If you are backing up to a tape drive then you will get the following options Unload The Tape After Backup.  If this option is checked then it will give you a further option of  Rewind Tape Before Unloading.

 More Information About Appending To Existing Backup Sets

Backups performed at different times from the same or different databases can be stored on the same media. By appending another backup set to existing media, The previous backup will still remain on the media intact, and the new bacckup is added at the end of the last backup.

SQL by default allways appends new backups to media. Appending can occur only at the end of the media. So if a media consists of five backup sets you cannot skip the first three backup sets to overwrite the fourth with a new backup set.