Recovery Models and Transaction Log Management

Backup and restore operations occur within the context of a recovery model. A recovery model is a database property that controls how transactions are logged, whether the transaction log requires (and allows) backing up, and what kinds of restore operations are available.

In This Section

Topic Description

Overview of the Recovery Models

Introduces the three recovery models (simple, full, and bulk logged).

Choosing the Recovery Model for a Database

Discusses choosing a recovery model in terms of your recovery goals and requirements for a database, the database size and structure, and whether you are willing and able to manage log backups for the database.

Recovery Models for System Databases

Summarizes the recommendations for what recovery model to use with each of the system databases.

Minimally Logged Operations

Identifies the set of operations that are fully logged under the full recovery model and are minimally logged under the bulk-logged recovery model.

Considerations for Switching from the Simple Recovery Model

Contains information about switching to and from the simple recovery model.

Considerations for Switching from the Full or Bulk-Logged Recovery Model

Contains information about switching between full and bulk-logged recovery and switching from full or bulk-logged to simple recovery.

See Also

Concepts

Choosing the Recovery Model for a Database
Recovery Models for System Databases
Considerations for Switching from the Full or Bulk-Logged Recovery Model
Considerations for Switching from the Simple Recovery Model
Transaction Log Truncation
Transaction Log Physical Architecture

Other Resources

ALTER DATABASE (Transact-SQL)
Backing Up and Restoring Databases in SQL Server

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance