SQL Safe integrates with SQL virtual database through the Backup Wizard and Backup Policy Wizard to provide you with a more powerful recovery solution.

SQL virtual database allows you to:

  • Recover any object from the backup file without having to restore the database.
  • Analyze and report on objects and permissions in backup files without having to restore the database.
  • Access backup files as though they were read-only databases.

When creating a backup or backup policy, you can check the option to generate metadata for use by SQL virtual database. This metadata includes data files for each database included in your backup. Generating metadata is optional; SQL virtual database can attach SQL Safe backup files without the metadata. However, these data files improve SQL virtual database performance during the creation of the virtual database.

If you have SQL virtual database installed, click Attach Virtual Database to launch the SQL virtual database Console. From the Console, you can create virtual databases from a single full backup file or multiple backup files. You can also create multiple virtual databases from the same backup file, which allows you to make virtual databases that include data from different points in time. Once created, the virtual databases can be fully managed and queried using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio or another database management tool.

What is SQL virtual database?

SQL virtual database is a powerful one-of-a-kind solution that lets you attach SQL Server backup files and query them like real databases. With its revolutionary, patent-pending technology, you gain instant access to critical data in a backup file without spending the time and storage previously required for restore. In minutes, you can create a virtual database and then use any native SQL Server or third party tools to query and extract the data you need.

For more information about SQL virtual database, see the SQL vdb online Help

Are there disk space recommnedations for the SQL virtual database metadata?

Use the following table to help you set aside the appropriate amount of disk space for the virtual database metadata SQL Safe generates. Typically, this metadata requires only a fraction of the disk space consumed by a fully restored backup.

Size of BackupAdditional Disk Space

1 TB

105 MB

500 GB

51 MB

100 GB

10 MB

1 GB

105 KB

500 MB

51 KB

For more information about the virtual data files that SQL virtual database creates, see the SQLvdb online Help


SQL Safe is a high-performance backup and recovery solution for your SQL Servers. Learn more > >

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