With databases regarded as mission critical in most companies, the ability to back up Microsoft SQL Server 2005 data when required and within the specified backup window is vital. To help you choose from the available configuration options and backup and recovery procedures, HP has conducted extensive laboratory tests to determine best practices.

This paper discusses those test results so that you can understand the options and the limitations of implementing backup and recovery in an enterprise environment using Linear Tape-Open (LTO) tape, disk-to-disk, and virtual tape devices. Additionally, the paper discusses:

• Backup and recovery recommendations for the integration of Data Protector Software and Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• The impact on database performance and throughput for each of the backup methodologies
• General recommendations for selecting which backup and recovery method to use
• Recommendations for the use of parallel backup and restore operations, and the impact of multiple streams and device concurrency on overall backup performance.