Backup and Restore Using SQL Server 7.0 Tools 4. Requirements and Assumptions 5. Backup Using Snapshots 6. Backup and Restore Options Provided by Network Appliance Efficient and reliable backup and recovery are critical components to effective database implementation. In storing SQL Server 7.0 database files on a NetApp filer, DBAs are instantly provided with the ability to implement highly reliable, low-downtime backup and restore plans.
Snapshots are read-only images of an entire file system, including database files.
Taken in mere seconds, Snapshots make backup administration simple, flexible, and efficient. Moreover, because Snapshots require little time and little storage space, they can be taken several times per day, enabling more frequent full database backups. The storage overhead associated with a Snapshot is based upon the number of blocks that are different between the Snapshot and the active file system. Additionally, if multiple Snapshots exist for a file system, the only Snapshot that actually consumes disk space is the oldest Snapshot. The oldest Snapshot holds the changed data blocks until it is deleted after which the next oldest Snapshot holds the blocks.