Differential backups inclusing log file?

[paul172]

Hi,

Does anyone know if there is a way to exclude the log file from being backed up while creating a differntial backup through enterprise manager. It seems to lump the mdf and ldf into the same backup device. There is an option when you create a full DB backup to only backup the ldf, but I can't seem to find it for the differnetial backup.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Corran007]

Thats because a Diff backup is only the changes that have occured since the full backup. It not really either the mdf or the ldf. The main purpose of it is to speed up restores. If you have a high tlog backup, if you had to restore just before the full one ran, it would be a long while before the restore because of all the logs to apply. by running the diff, you only need to apply the full, the diff and any logs made after the diff. Depending on activity and db size, you can end up with a diff backup larger than the full one.

 

[paul172]

Thanks for the info corran007!

 

[Corran007]

Glad i answered your question.