Backup and data storage are important aspects of managing a SQL Server database. In this article, we will explore the concept of backup compression and its benefits.

SQL Server 2008 introduced a new feature called backup compression, which allows you to compress your database backups. This feature can significantly reduce the size of your backup files, resulting in faster backup and restore operations.

Let’s take an example using the AdventureWorks database. We will compare the file size of a backup taken with compression enabled and without compression.

BACKUP DATABASE AdventureWorks TO DISK = 'C:\Backup\AW_NoCompression.bak'
GO

BACKUP DATABASE AdventureWorks TO DISK = 'C:\Backup\AW_WithCompression.bak' WITH COMPRESSION
GO

By enabling the backup compression setting at the server level, all future backups will be automatically compressed. To enable this setting, you need to execute the following commands:

USE master;
GO

EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced option', '1';
RECONFIGURE;
GO

EXEC sp_configure 'backup compression default', '1';
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE;
GO

EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced option', '0';
RECONFIGURE;
GO

It is important to note that backup compression should be used with caution. The effectiveness of compression depends on the type of data being compressed. For example, compressing images stored in the database may not yield significant space savings.

Compressed backups are beneficial for input/output operations as they require less data to be written to the database. However, it is a resource-intensive process, so it should be used judiciously. If your database is constantly busy, it may be better to disable backup compression.

As a SQL Server administrator, I plan to utilize this feature on my production servers when I upgrade to the latest version. It will help optimize storage space and improve backup and restore performance.

In conclusion, backup compression is a valuable feature in SQL Server that can save storage space and enhance backup and restore operations. By enabling this feature and understanding its limitations, you can effectively manage your database backups.