Is it safe to assume that SQL Server instance or database level backup to a NAS share or tape using the SQL Server backup command (internally create .bak
file) are transactionally consistent backups?
Your database can be online while a backup to a shared drive is in progress. How does this type of backup guarantee application consistency?
I am comparing this sort of backup against VSS-aware hardware level snapshot, and the backup option using a third party tool, which claims 100% application consistent backup. VSS performs actions like freezing the IO till snapshot is completed.
How does SQL Server native backup maintain its consistency in absence of VSS?