Back Up the Tail of the Transaction Log

In the event of a database failure, if it is unacceptable to lose changes made to your database since the last backup, you need to back up the tail of the transaction log prior to running a restore.

Before You Begin

• Review the general and agent-specific restore requirements accessed from Restore Backup Data prior to performing any restore operation.

The requirements to accomplish this are:

• SQL Server database must be in full or bulk-logged recovery mode
• Microsoft SQL Server iDataAgent: Transaction log file(s) must be intact

Required Capability: See Capabilities and Permitted Actions

To back up the Log Tail:

1. Right-click the database, click All Tasks (if appropriate), and click Backup or Backup SQL Server.
2. Select Run Immediately, the Transaction Log backup type, the Do Not Truncate Log check box, and click OK.

The use of a log tail backup in your restore job is no different than using a standard log backup and, in fact, appears in your Restore Options dialog box as a standard log backup.

Now you're ready to restore. Refer to Restore a Database to the Point of Failure to select the appropriate restore job.