Backing Up System Databases

In addition to user databases, it is also important to back up pertinent system databases. You do not need to back up all of them, only the critical ones. Here is a list of all the system databases and optional sample databases:

  • master. Stores SQL Server system-level information, such as logon accounts, server configuration settings, existence of all other databases, and the location of the files

  • model. Contains a database template used when creating new user databases

  • msdb. Stores information and history on backup and restore operations, SQL Agent jobs, and replication

  • tempdb. Provides temporary space for various operations, and is recreated every time SQL Server is restarted

  • distribution. Exists only if the server is configured ...

Get Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Administrator's Companion now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.