Hi All,

i am looking through the data files directory for my databases and noticed that the log (ldf) files of some of the databases are from 2GB to 4.5GB where as the data files are under 500MB. If I shrink the log files what affect does this have on the database? Should I be setting up regular shrink jobs on the log files?

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A.Rajesh Khanna

This is a common issue and its been discussed again and again.

check this thread


http://www.discussweb.com/server-man...ql-2005-a.html

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J Suresh Kumar
Google Hacks

Hi jsureshkumar,

Thanks for that. Just a few questions.

My Data file is 1148MB. The log file is 2537MB. The recovery model is full. The log file has never been backed up.

Just to confirm. Should I :

1. Backup the log file

2. Truncate the log file

3. Shrink the log file

4. Do a Full backup.

5. Schedule regular log backups.

Currently a full backup is run every night. I am using SQL 2005.


Thanks for your help in advance.

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A.Rajesh Khanna

Hi,

Do you want POINT IN TIME Recovery of your database? If you need , then keep the full recovery model otherwise you can switch to Simple. If you are in full recovery model , then you should have a job which does TL backup at regular interval. Frequency is again depends upon the growth.

1. Backup the log file : Instead take Full Backup not TL backup

2. Truncate the log file : Yes

3. Shrink the log file : Yes

4. Do a Full backup. : Yes, coz otherwise the backup chain breaks

5. Schedule regular log backups.: Yes

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J Suresh Kumar
Google Hacks