Guides

1. Understanding Always On Availability Groups 1.1 What It Is and How It Works Always On Availability Groups (AG) is a SQL Server Enterprise high-availability and disaster-recovery solution that operates at the database level. An availability group groups one or more user databases into a single failover unit and replicates them to up to eight secondary replicas through continuous transaction log shipping. When the primary replica fails, a designated synchronous secondary automatically...

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1. Understanding SQL Server Failover Cluster 1.1 What It Is and How It Works SQL Server failover cluster is a high-availability solution that keeps a SQL Server instance operational even when a server fails. It achieves this by running the same instance across multiple physical servers — called nodes — so that if one server goes down, another automatically takes over without requiring manual intervention or changes on the client side. 1.2 Key Components and Architecture A SQL Server...

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1. Introduction to SQL Server High Availability High availability in SQL Server refers to the system's capability to remain operational with minimal downtime when faced with hardware failures, software issues, or planned maintenance. The importance of high availability cannot be overstated. When databases become unavailable, organizations face immediate consequences, including lost revenue, reduced productivity, and customer dissatisfaction. While High Availability (HA) and Disaster...

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1. Introduction to SQL Server Log Shipping 1.1 What is SQL Server Log Shipping? SQL Server log shipping is an automated disaster recovery solution that maintains warm standby copies of your production databases. The technology transfers transaction log backups from a primary database on a primary server instance to one or more secondary databases on separate secondary server instances, ensuring your secondary databases remain synchronized with the primary database, providing protection...

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1. Introduction to SQL Server Replication 1.1 What is SQL Server Replication? SQL Server replication is a set of technologies for copying and distributing data and database objects from one database to another, then synchronizing between databases to maintain consistency. This feature enables you to create and maintain multiple copies of your data across different servers and locations, ensuring data availability and reliability. 1.2 Purpose and Benefits of Replication SQL Server...

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1. Introduction to SQL Server Always On 1.1 What is SQL Server Always On? SQL Server Always On is Microsoft's comprehensive high availability and disaster recovery solution introduced with SQL Server 2012. It represents a significant advancement over previous technologies like database mirroring and log shipping, ensuring continuous access to data while minimizing downtime and data loss. 1.2 Why Businesses Need Always On Solutions In today's digital economy, database downtime directly...

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1. What is DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is a built-in Windows command-line tool designed to service and repair Windows system images. Note DISM images include both offline Windows images stored in WIM, VHD, or VHDX files, and online running operating systems, which are taken as a special Windows system image (We will use "online image" in the contents below). Available through Command Prompt or PowerShell, DISM serves as an...

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1. What is CHKDSK and When to Use It? 1.1 Understanding the CHKDSK Utility CHKDSK (Check Disk) is a Windows system utility that scans and repairs file system errors on hard drives and solid-state drives. Unlike data recovery tools, CHKDSK prioritizes file system consistency over data preservation, which means it may cause data loss when restoring the disk's structural integrity. Understanding this fundamental distinction is essential before running the command. 1.2 When to Run CHKDSK You...

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1. Understanding Hard Drive Data Loss Hard drive data loss can happen to anyone, from individual users to large organizations. Understanding the common causes and recognizing warning signs early can help you take the right steps for successful hard drive recovery. 1.1 Common Causes of Data Loss Data loss from hard drives occurs for several reasons: Hardware Issues: Electrical failures and power surges can damage hard drive components. Physical impacts or drops can misalign read/write...

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1. Introduction 1.1 What is Outlook Email Backup? Outlook email backup is the process of creating copies of your Outlook emails and storing them in a secure location separate from your primary mailbox. This ensures you can recover your important messages, contacts, and other data if the original data is lost, corrupted, or accidentally deleted. 1.2 Why You Should Backup Outlook Emails Regular Outlook email backup protects your critical communications and business data from various...

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