10 VMware Snapshot SQL Server Best Practices

VMware snapshots are a great way to quickly back up and restore a virtual machine. However, when it comes to SQL Server, there are some best practices to follow to ensure that the snapshot is successful and that the data is not corrupted.

In this article, we will discuss 10 VMware snapshot SQL Server best practices that you should follow to ensure that your snapshots are successful and that your data is safe. We will also discuss how to properly restore a snapshot and how to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

1. Use the latest version of VMware

The latest version of VMware has the most up-to-date features and capabilities, which can help ensure that your snapshot is as reliable and secure as possible. Additionally, newer versions of VMware are often more efficient than older ones, meaning they use fewer resources to perform the same tasks. Finally, using the latest version of VMware will also make sure you have access to any new security patches or bug fixes that may be released.

2. Do not use snapshots for long-term backup and recovery

Snapshots are not a substitute for traditional backups, and they should only be used as a short-term solution.

Snapshots can become corrupted over time due to changes in the underlying data or system configuration. If you use snapshots for long-term backup and recovery, you may find yourself unable to recover your data when needed. Additionally, snapshots take up disk space on the host server, so it’s important to delete them regularly.

Finally, if you’re using VMware snapshot SQL Server best practices, make sure that you have a reliable backup strategy in place. This includes regular full backups of your databases, as well as transaction log backups. Having a good backup plan will ensure that you can quickly restore your data in case of an emergency.

3. Avoid using snapshots on production VMs that are critical to business operations

Snapshots are a great way to quickly back up data and restore it in the event of an emergency. However, they can also cause performance issues if used on production VMs that are critical to business operations. This is because snapshots take up disk space and can slow down the VM’s performance as more snapshots are taken. Additionally, when restoring from a snapshot, there is always a risk of data corruption or loss due to the fact that the snapshot may not be completely up-to-date with the current state of the system.

For these reasons, it is best practice to avoid using snapshots on production VMs that are critical to business operations. Instead, use other methods such as backups or replication for disaster recovery purposes.

4. Always create a snapshot before performing maintenance or updates

A snapshot is a point-in-time copy of the virtual machine, and it can be used to quickly restore the VM in case something goes wrong during maintenance or updates.

Creating a snapshot before performing any type of maintenance or update ensures that you have a backup available if something does go wrong. This way, you don’t have to worry about losing data or having to start from scratch. Additionally, snapshots are relatively quick and easy to create, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of this important best practice.

5. Create a new snapshot if you need to revert back to an earlier point in time

When you create a new snapshot, it captures the state of your virtual machine at that exact moment. This means that if something goes wrong with your system or an application, you can quickly revert back to the previous snapshot and restore your system to its original state.

Creating a new snapshot also helps ensure that your data is consistent across all snapshots. If you use the same snapshot multiple times, then any changes made in between those points will not be captured. By creating a new snapshot each time you need to revert back, you can guarantee that all of your data is up-to-date and accurate.

6. Delete old snapshots when they are no longer needed

When a snapshot is taken, it creates a copy of the data at that point in time. This means that any changes made to the data after the snapshot was taken will not be reflected in the snapshot. As more snapshots are taken, the amount of disk space used by these snapshots increases. If too many snapshots are kept for too long, this can lead to performance issues and even data loss if the disk runs out of space.

To avoid these problems, make sure to delete old snapshots when they are no longer needed. This will help keep your system running smoothly and ensure that you don’t lose any important data.

7. Monitor your VM’s disk space usage

When you take a snapshot of your VM, it creates a copy of the current state of the virtual machine. This includes all data stored on the disk, including SQL Server databases and log files.

If the disk space usage is too high, then taking a snapshot can cause performance issues or even fail altogether. To avoid this, make sure to monitor your disk space usage regularly and delete any unnecessary snapshots that are no longer needed. Additionally, consider using thin provisioning for your VMs to ensure that they don’t run out of disk space.

8. Ensure there is enough free disk space available on the datastore where the VM resides

When a snapshot is taken, the original VM disk file (VMDK) is frozen and a new delta disk file (VMSD) is created. This delta disk contains all of the changes made to the VM since the snapshot was taken. As more changes are made, the size of this delta disk will grow until it reaches the maximum size set for the datastore. If there isn’t enough free space available on the datastore, then the snapshot cannot be taken or committed.

To ensure that snapshots can be taken without issue, make sure you have at least 10-20% of the total capacity of the datastore available as free space. Additionally, if you plan on taking multiple snapshots, consider increasing the maximum size of the datastore so that the delta disks don’t reach their limit too quickly.

9. Never delete a snapshot while it is running

When a snapshot is taken, the data in the database is frozen at that point in time. If you delete the snapshot while it is running, any changes made to the database since the snapshot was taken will be lost.

Therefore, if you need to delete a snapshot of a SQL Server instance, make sure to shut down the server first and then delete the snapshot. This ensures that all data is preserved and no information is lost.

10. Consider backing up your SQL Server database with third-party software

Third-party software can provide additional features and capabilities that are not available with VMware snapshots. For example, third-party backup solutions may offer more granular control over the data being backed up, as well as the ability to restore individual files or objects from a snapshot. Additionally, some third-party solutions may also be able to back up databases across multiple servers, which is something that cannot be done with VMware snapshots.

Finally, using third-party software for backing up your SQL Server database will ensure that you have an offsite copy of your data in case of disaster. This is especially important if you are running mission-critical applications on your server.