SQL Server Backup Help

Pity the poor modern DBA, now that SQL Server gets attacked by some of the same scripts that PCs do. Pity the poor modern DBA who has to keep building Microsoft SQL Servers because some idiot vice president up the line bought the Microsoft party line and stopped all higher-end database purchase. Yes, that's the same idiot vice president who won't allow MySQL servers in the building because they're not "secure" enough.

At least our poor DBA will get a bit of relief soon. No, Microsoft won't close the holes that allow PC scripts to trash SQL Server databases. No, Microsoft hasn't made SQL Server database snapshots possible in any realistic manner, but someone else has.

Enter Acronis, the maker of True Image Architecture that clones workstation disks for better management, and their new Acronis Recovery tools. First up for better protection: Acronis Recovery for MS SQL Server ($499).

By treating the backup process like, well, a backup process rather than a database rebuilding process, your SQL Server database can be recovered by a network administrator. In fact, Acronis makes it possible to backup database images offsite via FTP.

SQL Servers often are the first "real" database servers small companies install, making their quirkiness even more disruptive. If you manage branches with database subsets of corporate databases running on remote SQL Servers scattered here and yon, the remote snapshot storage may really help.

Frankly, I'm surprised backups haven't progressed further the last couple of years. Disk space continues to be a great value in computing today, especially if you need basic rotating disks for storage rather than high-end platters for production. RAM prices have dropped almost as fast as disk prices, and multi-core CPUs for heavy lifting cost less now than ever.

What other parts do we need for transaction server backups? Network speed? When SOHO makers like Linksys offer switches with Gigabit Ethernet ports, what large company doesn't have them for every server and backup appliance? (OK, ones with idiot vice presidents holding the purse strings). Still, processing power, network connections, and disk space are plentiful, so why isn't backup a no brainer for every company and from every vendor?

Until some brainless vendors make backups easier for their databases, take a look at Acronis. The more backup choices you have, the better chance your idiot vice president will sign that purchase order.