Using SQL Server 2000 Recovery Models

n my series of articles, "Paranoid and Proud of It," I pointed out that systems require different backup strategies, depending on the criticality of the information stored in them. SQL Server 2000 contains a feature called "recovery models" that can help you classify your backup needs and simplify your backup plan. In this 10-Minute Solution, I explain this feature and show you how to exploit it.



SQL Server 2000 provides a new feature called "recovery models." How do you make the best use of this feature to simplify your backup strategy?



There are several steps to take when using the recovery models:

1. Analyze how often data changes in your database and how valuable that information is.
   
2. Determine whether operations such as BULK COPY or SELECT INTO need to occur.
   
3. Determine whether you need "point-in-time" recovery.
   
4. Choose the recovery model that is most appropriate.
   
5. Set the database to the model chosen using the ALTER DATABASE command.