Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Restoring database backup under SQL Server


Sathyaish
July 11th, 2003, 05:31 AM
Using MS SQL Server (6.5, 7 or 2000) we have a BACKUP DATABASE command that can either create a:

(1) Complete backup of a database; and/or
(2) A differential backup of a database.

The RESTORE DATABASE command does just the opposite. It restores from a backup to the original database.

My question is, "When we run differential restores, do we have to run them in the reverse sequence that they were backed-up with or can we randomly restore them?"

Say, for example, I backed-up (cor! is that the past tense?) a database on a daily basis to the following destination device names,

19th July 2003
20th July 2003
21st July 2003
22nd July 2003
23rd July 2003
24th July 2003

wherein the backup taken on 19th July 2003 was the only complete database backup and the rest of them were differential backups. If and when I desired that I restore the backups taken, what is the sequence I need to adher to in restoring the database? Or is there any sequence at all? Am I bound to restore in a particular series?

antares686
July 11th, 2003, 07:09 AM
The same order as taken

19th July 2003 with NORECOVERY option
20th July 2003 with NORECOVERY option
21st July 2003 with NORECOVERY option
22nd July 2003 with NORECOVERY option
23rd July 2003 with NORECOVERY option
24th July 2003 with RECOVERY option


And then the DB should be back online.