Today I'm trying something a little different. Today I'm going to take a look at a specific SQL related product for the first time. I honestly don't know how often I will be doing these but we'll see!
So did you ever wish you could just query a backup? Yes, just like a DB but without having to restore it? Yes, without restoring it, so you don't have to cater for additional space for the restore or cater for the time taken to perform the restore.
Not possible?
It is with Idera's SQL Virtual Database.
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| Fig. 1: Main Screen. |
This tool does exactly what it says and no more, but what it does is more than enough. It allows you to load up a SQL backup file or files (Fig. 2) and it creates a virtual DB on your selected instance that can be queried just like any other DB you have on your instance (Fig. 4).
You can see the steps below.
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| Fig. 2: Add backup file(s) and choose a name for your Virtual DB. |
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| Fig. 3: The Virtual DB is being created. Ensure that the user you are running SQL Virtual Database with has appropriate permissions. |
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| Fig. 4: Virtual DB is created in a relatively little amount of time and without huge space overhead. |
It is a pretty great tool. I tested it on a DB that took 10 minutes to restore normally and it created the virtual DB in under a minute. That same DB would have expanded to 100 gigs (it's initial size was set to 100 gigs) but all I needed space for was the 40 gig backup file, as opposed to 140 gigs for both the backup and the restored DB.
Not much else to say, because it is pretty simple in what it does and in how to use it.
Pricing currently runs at $500 US per server (a little pricey).
DISCLAIMER: As stated, I’m not an expert so please, PLEASE feel free to politely correct or comment as you see fit. Your feedback is always welcomed. :-)
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