Use the following checklist to get started with SQL Virtual Database.
 | Get Started Checklist Steps |
|---|---|
| Locate the backup files for the database you want to attach. |
| Decide whether you want to attach a full backup file or attach multiple data files such as transaction log backups. |
| Create the virtual database according to your specific recovery needs. |
| Use the Query tool to verify your virtual database was attached correctly. |
| Use SQL Server Management Studio or another database management tool to view, compare, recover, and report on objects and data from your virtual databases. |
 | Decide whether you want to update your existing SQL Server backup jobs to create file maps automatically after the regularly scheduled backup operation is completed. This improves the virtual database performance, allowing you to more quickly access future backups. |
| Monitor the amount of disk space used by your virtual databases. Typically, virtual databases require a fraction of the disk space consumed by a fully restored backup. If you are virtualizing large databases, you may need to allocate additional disk space over time. |