SQL Agent / DB Integrity Questions

[Shaun_Taylor]

Hi all,

I have another question regarding the NBU SQL agent - thanks again for the help last time! (https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/sql-agent-questions)

This time, it's regarding integrity checking of SQL databases before a backup. The current SQL maintenance plans that our DBAs use for checking backups carry out an integrity check of the database before proceeding with a backup, and they'd like to know if NetBackup can do something similar.

The only thing I've found that seems similar is the page verification option in NetBackup, but this appears to be the same as the continuous page verification that is constantly happening in SQL. From what I understand, their pre-backup integrity check uses the "DBCC CHECKDB" command and if it fails then the backup doesn't take place.

Is this a misunderstanding on my part, or is it not possible to do a NBU integrity check that is the equivalent of the "DBCC CHECKDB" command? If this is the case, is there a best practice recommendation or workaround that is commonly used to ensure that the database is in a good state immediately before a backup takes place?

[Marianne · Accepted solution]

Seems this was submitted as an Idea by another user in Apr 2013 with no response from Symantec...   https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/ideas/nbu-sql-agent-runs-dbcc-checkdb-databases-prior-backup

[sri_vani]

one vote up from me for this excellent idea... Hope  symantec will consider and implement it SOON

[Shaun_Taylor]

Thanks Marianne - that answers both parts of the question, as if NetBackup wasn't able to do it I was considering starting the backup window later and scheduling SQL integrity checks to run separately beforehand. It might mean that an unnecessary backup takes place, but at least we'll be aware of it the following morning.

It would be an incredibly useful feature so hopefully it'll appear in a future version!