As a SQL Administrator, I recently encountered a critical issue with a SQL Server database that left it in a RECOVERY_PENDING state. The database had experienced a hardware failure and a corruption in the transaction log, resulting in an unclean server shutdown. In this blog post, I will share my experience and the steps I took to resolve this issue.

The transaction log is a crucial component of SQL Server that ensures the consistency and durability of the database. It is responsible for recording all changes made to the database and plays a vital role in the recovery process. When the SQL service is stopped or the database gets detached, SQL Server should perform a clean shutdown by running a checkpoint and writing all dirty data pages to disk. However, if there is not enough space in the log, the checkpoint cannot run, and the database cannot shut down cleanly.

In my case, when the database was attached and the service was restarted, SQL Server attempted to perform a restart-recovery on the database using the transaction log. However, the transaction logs were not available, preventing the database from coming online. As a result, the database was marked as Suspect or in a Recovery Pending state.

To resolve this issue, I had two options: restore the database from a backup or repair and rebuild the logs. Restoring from a backup is the most straightforward option if a consistent backup is available. However, in my situation, the backup was not up to date, and restoring from it would result in data loss.

Instead, I decided to repair the database using the DBCC CHECKDB command with the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS option. This command checks the health of the database and fixes any structural problems caused by the missing log. However, running this command did not resolve the issue as there was not enough space in the log for a clean shutdown.

At this point, I turned to a third-party software called Stellar Repair for MS SQL. This software claimed to repair corrupted log files and bring the database to a consistent state. After thorough research and testing, I found it to be a reliable solution. I was able to preview the recoverable database and successfully repair it using the software. The new database was accessible and free from any corrupt elements.

This experience taught me the importance of consistent database backups and having a reliable software solution for database repair. As SQL Administrators, it is our responsibility to minimize downtime and recover the database in its entirety. Restoring from a good backup is the best solution, but when that is not possible, using software like Stellar Repair for MS SQL can be a valuable alternative.

In conclusion, resolving SQL Server database corruption requires careful consideration of the available options. Whether it is restoring from a backup, repairing with the DBCC command, or using third-party software, the goal is to minimize downtime and recover the database effectively. By following best practices and having the right tools at hand, SQL Administrators can overcome such crisis situations and keep the database up and running.

For more informative guides and resources for database administrators, visit www.PracticalSqlDba.com.