Techniques to Restore SQL Server With the NORECOVERY Option
Do you have multiple SQL backup files and are looking for a way to restore database With NoRecovery? Here you will get a prompt way to restore the databases using NoRecovery.
If you have numerous SQL backup files, Then you can recover the SQL database with NoRecovery option. This option rolls forward the recovery procedure until the recovered database attains consistency. This carries out the entire recovery process of data using the RECOVERY option in the end.
Recovery is the process of where you copy data from the backup file and get the information from the logged transaction until it reaches the recovery point. But at this stage, the database becomes inaccessible during the entire process. But it makes sure that one can restore the data from multiple backup files. At last, the restoring process is executed using the RECOVERY option. Here, in this technical write-up, we will focus on SQL data restoration with NoRecovery option. But before we discuss the recovery process it is very important to understand the importance of backup files.
Why are Database Backups Important?
Creating the regular backup SQL Databases is one of the major responsibilities for any Database Administrator. It prevents any data loss in unfavorable situations like data removal or corruption. You can secure your data backups at a safe offsite destination and can recover them whenever required. you can protect your crucial data from various issues using a proficient method like restore database with NoRecovery. Some of the issues that you can avoid are listed below:
- Data loss due to intentional or accidental elimination.
- In case there is a Storage failure, and you lose your data.
- If Application or software failure occurs.
- Somehow if the hard drive consisting of database files gets corrupted.
- Whenever there is Hardware failure such as a broken hard disk.
- If a Natural disaster occurs in the region consisting of SQL Server on-premises storage
- While executing some general database tasks like database mirroring, archiving, etc.
Additionally, a backup file plays a very crucial role for any administrators while they carry out different tasks. Such as when they copy the database file to another SQL Server and save an archive file.
So here, we discussed the importance of backup files. Now let’s understand the difference between the Recovery and NoRecovery option in the below section.
How do RECOVERY and NORECOVERY options are different?
The Restore command of the SQL database either stops after the redo part or keeps ongoing until the undo part. It totally depends on whether defined as RECOVERY OR NORECOVERY.
Recovery Option
The recovery option performs the recovery process with both redo and undoes parts. This does not allow us to restore additional backups. The recovery option works as the default option. If redo is not failed to roll forward to be compatible with the database, the undo part will never occur. Then in such cases error occurs and abrupts the recovery process. I roll forward or redo is compatible with the database. Then the recovery process is carried out properly and makes the database online.
NoRecovery Option:
No recovery operation eliminates the undo part to save the uncommitted transactions. The removal of the undo part enables roll forward and keep going with the next statement in the sequence. And the restore sequence is able to recover other backups to roll the database forward.
Restore Database With NoRecovery
The NORECOVERY option keeps the data into a ‘restoring’ state. And enable data from multiple backups to get recovered. When the database enters into a restoring state, then users become unable to access the data.
Here are some examples in which you can make use of the NORECOVERY option:-
RESTORE DATABASE DB01 FROM DISK = ‘C:\documents\DB01.BAK’
WITH NORECOVERY
GO
RESTORE LOG DB01 FROM DISK = ‘C:\documents\DB01.TRN’
WITH RECOVERY
GO
The first command mentioned above is used to recover a database from the DB01 backup file. And the second one is used to restore the transaction logs with the help of the recovery option.
You can work with the entire database using both the RECOVERY as well as NORECOVERY commands.
RESTORE DATABASE DB01 FROM DISK = ‘C:\documents\DB01.BAK’
WITH NORECOVERY
GO
RESTORE LOG DB01 FROM DISK =’C:\documents\DB01.TRN’
WITH NORECOVERY
GO
RESTORE LOG DB01 FROM DISK =’C:\documents\DB01.TRN’
WITH RECOVERY
GO
The first two commands mentioned above are used to recover backups. And the command written at last is used to restore the transaction log with the RECOVERY option.
Let’s restore the SQL database only with the RECOVERY option:
RESTORE DATABASE DB01 FROM DISK =’C:\documents\DB01.BAK’
WITH RECOVERY
GO
As we discussed above, the NORECOVERY command keeps the database in the restoring state. So, now recover the database from the restoring state with the below command:
RESTORE DATABASE DB01 WITH RECOVERY
GO
After the completion of the above command, the database will enter the online mode.
Here we discussed how we can restore the database with the No Recovery option. Also, we discussed various commands that work for the RECOVERY option. So now you are completely familiar with the recovery and NoRecovery option of SQL along with their differences and working. You can easily observe that the recovery using these is quite complex and tricky.
But don’t worry we also have an alternative option where you do not require to execute the above commands. Let’s discuss it in the below segment.
Alternative for SQL Database Restore with NoRecovery
The alternative way for such conversion is the use of automated utilities such as SQL Recovery Tool. The tool can easily recover the MDF and NDF files from the corrupt and damaged backup files. And recover these files into their original form to the SQL Server without interfering with the data. The SQL Recovery Tool is the most authentic and secure tool to recover the SQL backup files. The tool comes with a user-friendly and self-intuitive GUI that makes it a best suit for every user.
Conclusions:
Here, in this technical write-up, we discussed the method to restore database with NoRecovery option. And also discussed an alternative way that you can use when you don’t want to get stuck with the tricky commands.
