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Additional Information about the Rebuild System Databases Option

Summary:

The rebuild system databases option is available on the Restore page for Microsoft SQL Server and SharePoint backup sets. This option allows users to repair Microsoft SQL Server instances from backup without the need for a manual rebuild process.

In Carbonite Safe Server Backup, this option is most often needed after a full Bare Metal Recovery to a new system.

  • This article is for Windows only

Solution:

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What are System Databases?

All Microsoft SQL Server instances include several system databases. These databases do not contain user data. Instead, they contain data about the Microsoft SQL Server itself. All databases that are not system databases are user databases.

For example:

  • The master database includes essential Microsoft SQL Server configuration data. MSSQL cannot run without it. The master database is a system database.
  • A database contains financial data. The database is named Accounting. The Accounting database is a user database.

More information about the system databases can be found on Microsoft's website at https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187837.aspx.

Microsoft SQL Server instances cannot run at all if the system databases are missing or damaged. SharePoint installations each include a Microsoft SQL Server component, which has its own system databases.

Why is it Necessary to Rebuild the System Databases?

Restores of Microsoft SQL Server and SharePoint databases require that the appropriate MSSQL instance be installed and running. However, there are scenarios where a restore is necessary, but MSSQL cannot be started because the system databases are missing or damaged.

In older versions of CSSB, it was necessary to manually repair the system databases before the restore could begin. CSSB version 5.2 introduced the rebuild system databases option. When selected, this option will automatically restore and rebuild the system databases from the available backups. In most scenarios, this allows the MSSQL instance to start, and the restore of user databases can begin.

When is it Necessary to Rebuild the System Databases?

This option is always necessary following a Bare Metal Recovery to a new system, because no MSSQL databases, including the system databases, are restored as part of the bare metal recovery process. A separate restore is required for Microsoft SQL Server and SharePoint instances. When you perform this separate restore, simply select the rebuild system databases option.

You can also rebuild system databases during any other restore to the original system or to an identical system.

You should not rebuild system databases when restoring to a completely different MSSQL instance. The rebuild system databases option will overwrite the existing system databases on the new instance, which will often cause problems.

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