Disaster in SQL Server cannot occur with the prior notification. But whenever it occurs, it may lead to many serious problems. So, it is always beneficial to have a strong backup of MS SQL Server disaster Recovery plan. This will prevent the loss of database from any kind of failure. So, after considering the importance of disaster recovery structure we come up with this post. This write-up will explain some adequate steps needed to be prepared for the best Microsoft SQL Server database disaster recovery plan.

SQL Server Disaster Recovery Plan - Best Practices

• Make a Complete Document

The very first crucial element that must be done before any recovery is documentation. It will help the users in term of ‘what should be performed next?’ in case of system failure. If the SQL admin has a checklist on hand, then it can provide information to team members necessary for the database recovery. However, one disadvantage of script is that it can be outdated very quickly. So, make sure to keep documentation short and simple but must have enough knowledge of recovery.

• Test the Checklist

It is specified from the above, documentation is the beginning stage for the recuperation. The users require to invest a considerable amount of time to analyze the checklist to implement a SQL recovery. If the user has never tested the checklist, it will be difficult to bring out a full system recovery. The things should be possible on a small scale to re-enact the strategies that will be going to use in real life disaster. Another advantage of testing is that the users will be more quiet while performing a SQL recovery operation. Because he/she knows what step should be taken next.

• Create a Script

When you are making the checklist, ensure the objects that can be easily automated through SQL Scripts. After that, generate the script of every object of the database. It will help the users to automates the recovery process. Moreover, SQL Server provides a tool that script out every data object lies within the database periodically. These things are triggers, stored procedure and more. It saves a lot of time of users.

• Acknowledgement Message

Once the recovery process completes successfully, the users require a path that will close the task. For this, there must be some acknowledgement message that signifies the recovery is over. Also, it provides the information that there is no loss of data.

• Make Reliable Contacts

For better SQL disaster recovery, list out the people that can help out in case of failure. The included people must know the SQL Server Disaster Recovery plan and can do sign off after the successful recovery. DBA must have the two contacts for each role that can take correct decisions under the pressure.

• Create Copy of Database

SQL disaster recovery cannot happen without the help of a backup file. It is one of the most important parts that can be used to bring out the data back. The users can take backup of SQL Server on a regular basis or periodically. Adding to it, the backup copy must be stored on the safe location.

• Hardware Failover

It is important to must have the appropriate hardware required for the SQL recovery. For this, the users must find the hardware that used for failover and ensures that it should be available at the time of disaster. Adding to it, servers come into different ranges—small, medium and large. Thus, the users might have many failover boxes.

• Use Updated Version of Software

If the admin wants to perform complete recovery, then they must have the required media on hand. The software editions are changing timely so the users cannot consider the right version on the media box. Use of standardised servers keeps the situation simple but the right edition must be a need. So, it is beneficial to make a media box that comprises all the required software versions along with patches. Also, the admin can create many copies of the same; one for the current use and another one can be stored on the safe location.

• Use Change Control

Apart from documentation and testing recovery aspects, a healthy change-control process is also needed. Consider that users make a well-managed documentation and also perform its testing. During the practice, the entire process went right, eventually, someone makes changes in it. So make sure while performing recovery process, the change-control option must be enabled. So, whenever any modification takes place in, the recovery plan will be modified according to it.

• Set Priority list for Recovery

Priority list is another incredible feature of the documentation. It is used to assign the order of SQL data servers that will be going to be recovered. With the help of this list, the users can focus on the recovery of crucial servers at the time of disaster. Furthermore, always ensure the server dependency on each other while making the priority chart. Because there is no use of recovering a server that depends upon the recovery of other servers.

Bringing It All Together

In this post, we have discussed best practices required for SQL Server Disaster Recovery Plan. But sometimes in some situations, when the data will not get back the data with the disaster plan due to corruption , then there is an alternate solution to recover the data. Users can go for SQL Recovery Software. It is an automated software that specially designed to restore the database from corrupted MDF and NDF files.