To prepare for disaster recovery if you are using SQL 2000, SQL 2005, or SQL 2008 do the following:

• Back up both system and user databases and transaction logs regularly.

  Copies of the master and model databases are automatically created by Backup Exec whenever you back up the master and model databases. Backup Exec places these copies in the same directory that the databases are in, where they must remain in order to be updated.

  The following table includes information about MS SQL database locations:

  The copies of the master and model databases are named:

  • Master$4idr
    

  • Mastlog$4idr
    

  • Model$4idr
    

  • Modellog$4idr
    

• Back up the system drives that contain SQL instances.

  Whenever you back up the system drive that contains a SQL instance, copies of the master and model databases are backed up. Backing up the system drive that SQL is on also backs up all the executables and registry settings needed for SQL to run.

• Back up the master database whenever any changes are made to SQL.

• Keep records of any service packs that have been installed.

• Make sure you are prepared to recover the entire server, not just SQL.