How to Take Compressed Backup in SQL Server

SQL Server is a widely used and robust database management system utilized by numerous organizations for data storage and retrieval. An essential component of SQL Server database management is the regular backing up of data to facilitate recovery in the event of a disaster.

Nevertheless, maintaining long-term backups can consume a significant amount of disk space, posing a challenge for users. In this article, we will explore the process of taking compressed backups in SQL Server as a solution to conserve disk space and expedite backup time.

Let's explore the two easiest ways.

Work with a professional backup tool, EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise

EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise is renowned for its superior backup performance, enhanced security measures, and comprehensive features that cater to all your backup needs, making it the preferred choice for companies and organizations.

Let's delve into how it operates:

1.Create a backup task
Launch EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise and click on "New Task" to initiate a new backup process.

2.Select SQL Server Database
Choose "SQL" from the menu options at the top, and then designate your database as the data source.

3.Select backup destination
Navigate to the destination section and choose a destination, such as a local disk or a cloud, from the drop-down menu.

4.Enable backup compression
Access the "Backup options" function to explore additional features for customizing your backup. Within this menu, select "Performance" to configure the compression settings according to your preferences. Typically, choosing the "Fast" option will expedite the backup process with compression, while opting for "High" compression will generate smaller-sized backups compared to "Medium" compression level.

Additionally, it's important to note that SQL Server backups are typically scheduled regularly. To set up a recurring backup schedule that aligns with your preferred timing, whether it be daily, weekly, monthly, or triggered by a specific event, click on the "Schedule" button.

If you are interested in exploring additional backup options to perfect your backup, click here for more detailed information.

5.Initiate the backup
Once you have completed the setup, click on "Proceed" to commence the SQL Server backup process.

By following the five steps outlined above, you can successfully take a compressed backup of SQL Server. For users utilizing Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, please refer to the following guides for further assistance.

Work with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

1.Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server instance containing the database you want to backup.

2.Right-click on the desired database and select "Tasks" -> "Back Up..." from the drop-down menu.

3.In the "Backup Database" window, designate "Full" as the backup type and specify a destination for the backup file.

4.Navigate to "Options," access the "Compression" feature, and enable backup compression by selecting "Compress backup."

5.After confirming the settings by clicking "OK," proceed to initiate the backup process. SQL Server will then proceed to create a compressed backup of the selected database, storing it in the designated location.

When utilizing Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio for backups, it is essential to consider the following:

While opting for compressed backups in SQL Server may lead to increased CPU utilization during the backup operation, as the server compresses data before storage, the advantages of decreased disk space usage and faster backup speeds typically outweigh any potential impact on CPU performance.

Both the aforementioned methods are dependable and secure for performing compressed backups in SQL Server. EaseUS offers additional compression options compared to Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, ensuring minimal impact on CPU performance and providing a user-friendly interface. For those in need of a reliable backup tool, consider exploring EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise for your backup needs.

Conclusion:

Implementing compressed backups in SQL Server is a straightforward and impactful method to enhance your backup approach and maximize storage efficiency. By following the steps detailed in this guide, you can seamlessly generate compressed backups of your databases, thus safeguarding your data with optimal security. For a highly recommended solution, consider utilizing EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise for your backup requirements.

How to Take Compressed Backup in SQL Server FAQs

Read the FAQs below to get more instructions on compressed backup of the SQL Server database.

1.Should I compress my SQL backups?
Compression lets you keep more sets of backup data on hand or save transmission time when sending the backup data to another server. Also, compression often results in faster backups because of reduced IO.

2.What is the difference between normal backup and compressed backup?
Normal backup refers to the process of copying all the selected files and folders in their original format to a backup storage location. This type of backup does not involve any compression of data, so the backup files occupy the same amount of storage space as the original files.

On the other hand, compressed backup involves the process of reducing the size of backup files by compressing them using various algorithms. This helps in saving storage space on the backup storage location and also speeds up the backup process.

3.What are the 3 types of backups?
Full backup: The most basic and comprehensive backup method, where all data is sent to another location.
Incremental backup: Backs up all files that have changed since the last backup occurred.
Differential backup: Backs up only copies of all files that have changed since the last full backup.

4.Which backup type is fastest?
Incremental backups are completed quickly and require fewer resources. Disadvantage: While incremental backups have the fastest backup time, they also boast the slowest data recovery time.