Microsoft SQL Server Database Basics
114 Agent for Microsoft SQL Server Guide
For more information about File and FileGroup Backups, see
Files and FileGroup
Backups.
(see page 121) For more information about Partial Database backups,
see
Partial Backups
(see page 122).
System Databases
You can use CA ARCserve Backup to manage the protection and recovery of SQL
Server system databases:
master database
The master database stores all system-level information for a SQL Server
instance.
msdb database
The msdb database stores all information required by the automation agent
service for SQL Server for scheduling alerts and jobs.
model database
The model database acts as a template for all databases created on a SQL
Server instance. It stores metadata including database size, the recovery
model, and other options that are inherited by each database you create.
Resource Database (SQL Server 2005 or later)
The Resource Database is read-only. It contains system objects required by
SQL Server. It is not mounted as a live database, so the files are included in
a file system backup rather than in a database backup.
tempdb database
The tempdb database holds memory-resident objects, or other temporary
objects such as results needed for query operations.
distribution database
You may also have a Replication Distribution database, if your server is
configured as a replication distributor. This database stores metadata and
history information related to replication transactions and is sometimes
referred to as the replication database.
Databases for extended SQL Server services
Additional databases may be created and used by certain features or
secondary SQL Server components and services. These are handled the
same as any production database in most cases.
Important!
The three main system databases (master, msdb, and model) are
exempt from the Global or Rotation Job backup method. Selecting this option for
these databases always results in a Full backup.
