SQL Server backup is a completely automated task within Handy Backup software, utilizing a dedicated plug-in for any SQL version. It allows for saving databases as compressed binary dumps while preserving all components and settings. Handy Backup serves as an excellent SQL backup tool, capable of scheduling and fine-tuning these tasks.
For those seeking reliable SQL auto backup software, we encourage you to download our 30-day trial version of Handy Backup and experience its comprehensive features firsthand.
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Unlike SQL Server backup software that relies on ODBC drivers, Handy Backup interacts directly with the DBMS through the plugin for MSSQL automatic backup. This allows you to save SQL databases along with all included views, indexes, stored procedures, etc., ensuring they can always be restored intact.
The SQL data source is compatible with any edition of MS SQL Server, irrespective of the version, enabling you to:
Handy Backup serves as a unified SQL Server backup software, employing a consistent interface across all versions. Furthermore, you can seamlessly coordinate combined SQL backups with any other server-grade or user-level data (e.g., website content via FTP, files, folders, etc.), using the same task setup to copy all this information.
Handy Backup enables the capturing of snapshots of MS SQL databases without halting the server. This method, known as hot backup, minimizes both server downtime and user disruptions. Naturally, you can always perform a backup of the SQL server in a stopped mode (referred to as cold backup) if necessary; there are no restrictions.
A built-in scheduler is an ideal tool for automating database backup tasks. It enables the initiation of a database backup strategy at a precisely defined time and then repeating these tasks at a predefined interval ranging from one minute to several months. This ensures the security of your SQL backup database against faults while also freeing up your time.
Internal scheduling requires no third-party utilities or scripts to run according to schedule, offering much more freedom to implement simple or complex SQL Server backup strategies, such as the 3-2-1 backup or Grandfather-Father-Son.
As SQL Server database backup software, Handy Backup offers several important features and advantages, including:
Note: Incremental database backups can be quite large and always require a significant amount of time during restoration. Therefore, we strongly recommend using the differential or mixed methods instead of incremental for SQL Server backup database. However, you are free to use incremental backup if necessary!
These significant advantages, among many other Handy Backup features, have made it the fastest and most reliable SQL backup software for various versions of SQL software.
Prior to programming your SQL backup tool for a specific task, you can optimize your backups by considering three simple factors.
Consider taking a differential backup each time your database content undergoes a significant change (e.g., by 10%). If these changes occur within minutes, perform backups, for instance, every 10 minutes. If changes occur over hours or days, opt for daily backups.
For critical (e.g., commercial) data, perform full backups at least once to twice per day, possibly every hour. For less critical databases, schedule backups at least once to twice per week, or take snapshots daily (e.g., after the main workday ends, such as at 9:15 PM).
If your backups are too large, consider using external USB drives or local NAS/mapped drives to store copies of these databases. For smaller databases, you can utilize commercial cloud backup solutions, which are always available for uploading/downloading data and are convenient to use.
Note: The best SQL Server backup software always considers storing identical backups in at least two different locations: one linked to a server and the other placed offsite (e.g., on a cloud or remote FTP). Simply duplicate one backup task to another and then change the destination of the second task to create such tasks!
Transferring a SQL backup database over networks can potentially pose security risks. To safeguard your data packets, you can utilize VPN and/or SFTP, FTPS secured protocols. Moreover, Handy Backup automatically compresses any SQL database during the backup process.
Utilizing a built-in SQL backup program or crafting SQL backup scripts to create database copies are both viable methods. However, both approaches demand additional skills and knowledge. We do not recommend these methods for the average user or inexperienced administrator. Instead, consider using dedicated SQL server backup tools for a more efficient and user-friendly approach.
Handy Backup is a straightforward and dependable SQL backup tool. Users with beginner-level skills in Windows can effectively create backup and restoration tasks using it, even for the challenging task of SQL server backup.
This video demonstrates how to utilize Handy Backup for SQL Server backup, showcasing its full potential and capabilities. The backup scheme utilized here is a mixed differential, enabling the creation of one full and several differential copies in a continuous cycle. You will also see all the features for creating backup tasks in advanced mode.
Note: To connect to a new database instead of using an existing connection, simply click "Create a connection" after selecting the "MS SQL" plug-in in Step 2. A dialog window will appear where you can enter your login and password for SQL server backup. Provide a name for the connection.
For full automation, the SQL server backup software utilizes the internal scheduler, running a task every day from Monday to Sunday. There is no compression or encryption demonstrated in this video for SQL backup data, but you can easily add these options in Step 5 as shown.
To explore the comprehensive features of our SQL database backup software, we invite you to download the 30-day trial version of our solution.
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Capterra′s Rating:
"Great product, very simple and effective backup program"