1

I'm trying to create an ad-hoc Full Backup as a snapshot of the database in time and when I added a new file to backup to I get the following error:

Error

I see I can surpass this error by going to Media Options and changing the Overwrite Media to "Back up to a new media set, and erase all existing backup sets". What does this mean?...will I lose my existing backups if I do that?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

It's quite a long topic and for the most part it relates to technology that is irrelevant in this day and age (more specifically: tape storage). However here is a quick summary:

media set

An ordered collection of backup media, tapes or disk files, to which one or more backup operations have written using a fixed type and number of backup devices.

media family

Backups created on a single nonmirrored device or a set of mirrored devices in a media set

backup set

The backup content that is added to a media set by a successful backup operation.

In short, if you create a new media set on a device, then yes, you will lose all of your previous backups:

Creating a new media set

To create a new media set, you must format the backup media (one or more tapes or disk files). The formatting process changes the backup media as follows:

  1. Deletes the old header (if any), effectively deleting the previous contents of the backup media.

  2. Formatting a tape device deletes all previous contents of the currently mounted tape. Formatting a disk affects only the file that you specify for the backup operation

  3. Writes a new media header on the backup media (tape or disk file) on each of the backup devices.

For more information, checkout the Media sets, media families & backup sets documentation over at Microsoft Docs.

Improve this answer
7
  • Is there a way to just take a Full Backup snapshot now without loosing previous backups and restoring it to another server?
    – J.D.
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 22:45
  • 1
    I would recommend performing a Copy-Only Backup to a completely new file. Doing this will preserve your existing media set and it will not break your log chain.
    – Mr.Brownstone
    Commented Feb 14, 2020 at 22:47
  • 1
    Full backups never break the log chain. Copy-Only backups don't reset the differential base.
    – David Browne - Microsoft
    Commented Feb 16, 2020 at 0:36
  • 2
    A full backup, even if not retained, does not break the log chain. The log records inside a full backup will be also be present in the next log backup.
    – David Browne - Microsoft
    Commented Feb 16, 2020 at 0:50
  • 3
    It is a common misconception, as DBAs are naturally reluctant to throw away backups. But important because if you lose a Full backup, you can recover from a previous Full backup and all the log backups.
    – David Browne - Microsoft
    Commented Feb 16, 2020 at 1:06

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.