Microsoft SQL Server
You can use Commvault to back up and restore Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Backups
Data you can back up
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Database
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Log files
Backups you can perform
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Block-level backups
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Differential backups
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Full backups
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Full backups, using IntelliSnap
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IntelliSnap backup copy
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Transaction log backups
Backup behavior in plans
When you configure a backup plan, an incremental schedule for Microsoft SQL Server databases runs differential backups, not transaction log backups. Incremental schedules do not capture transaction logs. To capture transaction log backups, you must configure a transaction log backup schedule in the plan.
When you can perform backups
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On a schedule: The backup plan that you assign manages scheduled backups
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On demand: You can perform on-demand backups at any time
Restores
Backups you can use for restores
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The most recent backup, for example, restore the most recent backup to its original location
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A backup from a specific date, for example, restore data to a point in time before it became unusable
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Backups from a date range, for example, restore data that was accidentally deleted
Destinations you can restore to
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The current location (in place)
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A different client, instance, or database name
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A disk
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Azure SQL Database
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Azure SQL Database Managed Instance
SQL portability
You can perform the following cross-server restore operations.
| Source | Windows | Linux | Azure SQL | Azure Managed Instance | AWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Azure SQL | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Azure Managed Instance | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| AWS | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Instant clones
You can use the cloning feature to create a copy of a database for testing by using a full IntelliSnap backup, application-aware backup, or block-level backup. The system automatically shuts down the clone database and frees resources when the reservation period expires.
Automatic Discovery of Applications
You can use the Enable auto discover option to automatically find SQL databases in your environment and install software to back up the SQL databases. For more information, see Configuring a SQL Failover Cluster.