If you backup large SQL Server databases with the help of SQLBackupAndFTP then we want to give you some useful recommendations that may speed up the backup process. 

1. Track the Free Space on your Local Disk

Before backup large SQL Server databases make sure that you have enough free space on your local drive. It is necessary to remember that even if you prefer to store your backups in the cloud, during the backup process SQLBackupAndFTP keeps the temporary backup files on your local drive. If your local drive is divided into several partitions, we highly recommend you to use the biggest one.

To select the temporary folder for your backups, run the SQLBackupAndFTP application and go to the “Temporary folder” section.

2. Use 7 zip compression

We recommend you compress your SQL Server backups with the help of 7-zip compression to reduce backup file size. You can select 7-zip compression at the “Compression” section. Just select 7-zip (.7z) from the drop-down list at “Archive format”.

Another benefit is that you can speed up the compression procedure. To do it click on the gear button and enter the following command at the special box:

-m0=LZMA2 -mmt=on

Please remember, if you make a decision to apply this command you have to know that it loads the CPU higher.

3. Backup one DB, send, repeat – option

This option will be useful for those who have to backup many databases and their total size is very large. In that case, we recommend you to use the “Backup one DB, send, repeat (as opposite to backup all, then send all)” option, which is located at the “Backup options” section. If that option is checked, then SQLBackupAndFTP will backup each database one by one in a next way:

• Backup SQL Server database
• Compress SQL Server database
• Send the backup to the destinations
• Remove the backup from the temporary folder

This option is unchecked by default and SQLBackupAndFTP backup and compress all databases first, send on destinations and only then remove them from the temporary folder.