Software

How to manage database log files gone wild

December 1, 2008, 09:40 PM — 


Last week, we upgraded our ERP at Westminster College, the college at which I am the CIO.  At the same time, we moved from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005.  For the past week, our DBA has been taking manual backups of the database while our network person, who handles long-term backup, was busy with other priorities.  Unfortunately, we did not realize that the log files were growing out of control.  Our 16GB ERP database had just over 100GB of associated log files, successfully filling up the disk volume on which they were stored.

Of course, all of this happened on the same day that I was leaving for a conference and the DBA and his backup both called in sick.  So, from afar, I was on the hook to fix the problem.  I'm not an expert when it comes to SQL Server, but I do know my way around and can figure things out.  Furthermore, listserv queries to others are always handy in order to make sure that what we're seeing is truly unusual and not just a function of the new ERP or database software.

Here's what we did:

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