How to Do a Split Backup in SQL Server

A split backup is one where we create more than one backup file instead of the usual one, 'splitting' the total backup across each file. Usually we'll do this because we don't have enough space to create a single large backup file, or because we need to get the backup done faster and we want to leverage the disk IO of using additional drives. It's an easy technique to learn and one you should know.

Andy Warren is a software trainer focusing on SQL Server, a member of the PASS Board of Directors, and a principal in this site - SQLShare.com.

William on 1/31/2011

I never heard of a split/stripe backup! I'm gonna try it right now!

Syed Hassan on 1/31/2011

Great method. I was always used to doing backup as one file which could become a hassle in low disk environment

erick on 1/31/2011

great video!

Marcelo Marim on 1/31/2011

Good, easy and clean video. Thank you very much.

Nilesh on 1/31/2011

GOOD

Sam on 1/31/2011

Excellent

tarek on 1/31/2011

it is useful

mark mcnary on 1/31/2011

I was wondering if there was a way to automate multiple file destinations using a maintenance plan?

Eric on 1/31/2011

So that's what "STATS = 10" is for? Darn, I've been including this in my restore statements, with no good reason!!! Thanks for the video, it was very informative.

Frederich on 1/31/2011

Very good.

Jon on 1/31/2011

Out standing

Robert Djabarov on 1/31/2011

This has been available at least since SQL 7.0, in 1999!!! Anything more useful that this kiddie stuff???

jude on 1/31/2011

Very clear and simple; thanks

RAJKUMAR on 2/1/2011

nice one

9E5472435B on 2/1/2011

Nice Demo, we have some customers with disk space issues and this will help in the future.

Chun Chang on 2/1/2011

As always, clear, simple & useful!

Bobby on 2/1/2011

It's always great to learn something new! Thanks Andy!

Kevin Bayer on 2/1/2011

Good demo...

Maurice Ivory on 2/2/2011

This one is great, very usefull knowledge

Russ Allen on 2/3/2011

One of the more compelling reasons to do this type of backup is to allow the backup files for a large database to be written to multiple DVDs for archiving. In fact, that is the only reason we have ever had to use this feature. I think it would have been worth a mention.

Mark Sopczak on 2/6/2011

Is this only for SQL2008 R2 version that you can backup to multiple files at the same time?

Talha on 2/24/2011

very useful

CVNRAO on 4/26/2011

good

Russell Tye on 6/3/2011

excellent presentation...I loved it and I learned something new.

sarbmeet on 6/30/2011

excellent video. Never knew this before. i always using litespeed for backups under wrong impression. Thank You

Arturo on 7/13/2011

Very Good !!

Ramkumar Murugesan on 8/1/2011

This is great stuff. thanks for sharing

Anil Babu on 8/10/2011

Its very good. great tip - thanks

gavriel on 12/4/2011

very interesting is there any video explining the reasons to split the bckup in depth?

Olu on 12/15/2011

Thanks for reminding me about this technique - I might need to put it to use soon, as one of our databases is taking so long to backup

Michael on 2/8/2012

Excellent

ravi on 5/6/2012

excellent

ravi on 5/6/2012

good one..really it helped me to resolved in my production issue. Thank you!!!