solving sql server problems for millions of dbas and developers since 2006

SQL Product Highlight

SQL Sentry, Inc. - SQL Sentry Performance Advisor

SQL Sentry Performance Advisor for SQL Server delivers an advanced performance dashboard with relevant Windows and SQL Server metrics in a single view along with detailed insight of heavy SQL, blocking, deadlocks, and disk bottlenecks. Performance Advisor is packed with ground-breaking features that are not found in any other performance monitoring software, all designed with the singular goal of simplifying the process of optimizing your SQL Server performance.

Learn more!

Script to retrieve SQL Server database backup history and no backups

By: Tim Ford | Read Comments (9) | Related Tips: More > Backup

Free SQL Learning - Backup compression and storage deduplication: A perfect match?

Problem
There is a multitude of data to be mined from within the Microsoft SQL Server system views. This data is used to present information back to the end user of the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and all third party management tools that are available for SQL Server Professionals. Be it database backup information, file statistics, indexing information, or one of the thousands of other metrics that the instance maintains, this data is readily available for direct querying and assimilation into your "home-grown" monitoring solutions as well. This tip focuses on that first metric: database backup information. Where it resides, how it is structured, and what data is available to be mined.

Solution
The msdb system database is the primary repository for storage of SQL Agent, backup, Service Broker, Database Mail, Log Shipping, restore, and maintenance plan metadata. We will be focusing on the handful of system views associated with database backups for this tip:

dbo.backupset: provides information concerning the most-granular details of the backup process
dbo.backupmediafamily: provides metadata for the physical backup files as they relate to backup sets
dbo.backupfile: this system view provides the most-granular information for the physical backup files

Based upon these tables, we can create a variety of queries to collect a detailed insight into the status of backups for the databases in any given SQL Server instance.

Database Backups for all databases For Previous Week

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Database Backups for all databases For Previous Week 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SELECT  
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name,  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_start_date,  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.expiration_date, 
   CASE msdb..backupset.type  
       WHEN 'D' THEN 'Database'  
       WHEN 'L' THEN 'Log'  
   END AS backup_type,  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_size,  
   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.logical_device_name,  
   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.physical_device_name,   
   msdb.dbo.backupset.name AS backupset_name, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.description 
FROM   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily  
   INNER JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset ON msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.media_set_id = msdb.dbo.backupset.media_set_id  
WHERE  (CONVERT(datetime, msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_start_date, 102) >= GETDATE() - 7)  
ORDER BY  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date

Note: for readability the output was split into two screenshots.

Most Recent Database Backup for Each Database

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Most Recent Database Backup for Each Database 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SELECT  
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name,  
   MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) AS last_db_backup_date 
FROM   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily  
   INNER JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset ON msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.media_set_id = msdb.dbo.backupset.media_set_id  
WHERE  msdb..backupset.type = 'D' 
GROUP BY 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name  
ORDER BY  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name

Most Recent Database Backup for Each Database - Detailed

You can join the two result sets together by using the following query in order to return more detailed information about the last database backup for each database. The LEFT JOIN allows you to match up grouped data with the detailed data from the previous query without having to include the fields you do not wish to group on in the query itself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Most Recent Database Backup for Each Database - Detailed 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SELECT  
   A.[Server],  
   A.last_db_backup_date,  
   B.backup_start_date,  
   B.expiration_date, 
   B.backup_size,  
   B.logical_device_name,  
   B.physical_device_name,   
   B.backupset_name, 
   B.description 
FROM 
   ( 
   SELECT   
       CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
       msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name,  
       MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) AS last_db_backup_date 
   FROM    msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily  
       INNER JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset ON msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.media_set_id = msdb.dbo.backupset.media_set_id  
   WHERE   msdb..backupset.type = 'D' 
   GROUP BY 
       msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name  
   ) AS A 
    
   LEFT JOIN  

   ( 
   SELECT   
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name,  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_start_date,  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.expiration_date, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_size,  
   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.logical_device_name,  
   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.physical_device_name,   
   msdb.dbo.backupset.name AS backupset_name, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.description 
FROM   msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily  
   INNER JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset ON msdb.dbo.backupmediafamily.media_set_id = msdb.dbo.backupset.media_set_id  
WHERE  msdb..backupset.type = 'D' 
   ) AS B 
   ON A.[server] = B.[server] AND A.[database_name] = B.[database_name] AND A.[last_db_backup_date] = B.[backup_finish_date] 
ORDER BY  
   A.database_name

Note: for readability the output was split into two screenshots.

Databases Missing a Data (aka Full) Back-Up Within Past 24 Hours

At this point we've seen how to look at the history for databases that have been backed up. While this information is important, there is an aspect to backup metadata that is slightly more important - which of the databases you administer have not been getting backed up. The following query provides you with that information (with some caveats.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Databases Missing a Data (aka Full) Back-Up Within Past 24 Hours 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Databases with data backup over 24 hours old 
SELECT 
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name, 
   MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) AS last_db_backup_date, 
   DATEDIFF(hh, MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date), GETDATE()) AS [Backup Age (Hours)] 
FROM    msdb.dbo.backupset 
WHERE     msdb.dbo.backupset.type = 'D'  
GROUP BY msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name 
HAVING      (MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) < DATEADD(hh, - 24, GETDATE()))  

UNION  

--Databases without any backup history 
SELECT      
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server,  
   master.dbo.sysdatabases.NAME AS database_name,  
   NULL AS [Last Data Backup Date],  
   9999 AS [Backup Age (Hours)]  
FROM 
   master.dbo.sysdatabases LEFT JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset 
       ON master.dbo.sysdatabases.name  = msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name 
WHERE msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name IS NULL AND master.dbo.sysdatabases.name <> 'tempdb' 
ORDER BY  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name

Now let me explain those caveats, and this query. The first part of the query returns all records where the last database (full) backup is older than 24 hours from the current system date. This data is then combined via the UNION statement to the second portion of the query. That second statement returns information on all databases that have no backup history. I've taken the liberty of singling tempdb out from the result set since you do not back up that system database. It is recreated each time the SQL Server services are restarted. That is caveat #1. Caveat #2 is the arbitrary value I've assigned to the aging value for databases without any backup history. I've set that value at 9999 hours because in my environment I want to place a higher emphasis on those databases that have never been backed up.

Using this final query I produce a report via SQL Server Reporting Services that is distributed to the DBA Team on a daily basis that highlights any missed backups. That, however, is for another tip.

Next Steps

Review previous tips from MSSQLtips.com on backup history.
This tip provides further information on creating repositories for database metadata.
Stay tuned to MSSQLTips.com for future tips on reporting backup exception metadata via SQL Server Reporting Services.

Last Update: 10/9/2008

About the author

Become a paid author

Comments and Feedback:

Friday, October 10, 2008 - 1:29:26 AM - tosc Read The Tip

Hi,

or another way:

CREATE VIEW ViewLastBackup
AS
SELECT a.name AS 'DataBase', Backup_Date, Days_since_last_Backup
FROM master.dbo.sysdatabases AS a LEFT JOIN
(SELECT database_name,MAX(backup_finish_date) AS Backup_Date,
ABS(DATEDIFF(day,GETDATE(),MAX(backup_finish_date))) AS Days_since_last_Backup
FROM msdb.dbo.backupset WHERE backup_finish_date <= GETDATE()
GROUP BY database_name) AS b
ON a.name = b.database_name

SELECT * FROM ViewLastBackup WHERE Backup_Date IS NOT NULL
ORDER BY 2 DESC,1

SELECT * FROM ViewLastBackup WHERE Backup_Date IS NULL
ORDER BY 2 DESC,1

Friday, October 24, 2008 - 6:58:31 AM - crcobb Read The Tip

Great scripts they have saved me a bunch of time getting a handle on the 25 SQL servers that I have inherited. I have been using your Back-up in the Past 24 hours and I found it was displaying Databases that have been deleted but there were still history enteries. I added an inner join so I only get results on existing databases.

Chris

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Databases Missing a Data (aka Full) Back-Up Within Past 24 Hours 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--Databases with data backup over 24 hours old 
SELECT 
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server, 
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name, 
   MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) AS last_db_backup_date, 
   DATEDIFF(hh, MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date), GETDATE()) AS [Backup Age (Hours)] 
FROM    msdb.dbo.backupset INNER JOIN master.dbo.sysdatabases ON master.dbo.sysdatabases.NAME = msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name
WHERE     msdb.dbo.backupset.type = 'D'  
GROUP BY msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name 
HAVING      (MAX(msdb.dbo.backupset.backup_finish_date) < DATEADD(hh, - 24, GETDATE()))


UNION  
--Databases without any backup history 
SELECT      
   CONVERT(CHAR(100), SERVERPROPERTY('Servername')) AS Server,  
   master.dbo.sysdatabases.NAME AS database_name,  
   NULL AS [Last Data Backup Date],  
   9999 AS [Backup Age (Hours)]  
FROM 
   master.dbo.sysdatabases LEFT JOIN msdb.dbo.backupset 
       ON master.dbo.sysdatabases.name  = msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name 
WHERE msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name IS NULL AND master.dbo.sysdatabases.name <> 'tempdb' 
ORDER BY  
   msdb.dbo.backupset.database_name

Monday, May 21, 2012 - 9:17:02 AM - Dinesh Vishe	Read The Tip
great .........I want to check using differnce backup type ????

Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - 9:33:00 PM - Grazil

Read The Tip

KUDOS! This really helped me! Thanks!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 3:04:31 AM - Filip

Read The Tip

This article is an example how it should be: simple, clear, to the point and very nicely presented ! This is thé added value of the www !

Filip

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - 4:59:25 AM - Diego

Read The Tip

GREAT SCRIPTS everybody!

Many thanks!!!!

Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 10:26:42 PM - unruledboy	Read The Tip
Is the last db backup date same as "dbi_dbccLastKnownGood" from "DBCC DBINFO WITH TABLERESULTS"?

Saturday, March 16, 2013 - 2:48:53 AM - Shreenidhi R

Read The Tip

I have a question.

I have done a restore on a pirticular database. The restore copy (.BAK) file was in two locations. But now I have deleted that two locations.

All I want to know is that; Can I know the attributes of that .bak file which was restored on 17th feb which is in the DB. Because, all I know is that the .bak properties had "Modified date" which is the 17th of feb. So I m confused if I backed the wrong one or right one as I have deleted the backup location.

Thanks!

Monday, April 22, 2013 - 1:04:01 PM - Rama

Read The Tip

HI Tim

Wonderful scripts. I have one question as Im a newbee in Sql Server.

I have multiple instances across multiple database servers. i.e. N:N databases and instances

For Ex: I have 30 different instances on 30 different servers as they all are different clients. I currently get 30 backup reports from all these servers by using your above queies on each server.

My Question is --> Do you have any query which can get a consolidated report from all these 30 servers. i.e. instead of me getting 30 different emails I just want 1 email with all instance backup reports in that.

Im trying to run this query from our Idear monitroing box - since this is the only box which can communicate to all the 30 diff servers so I thought this is the right place to run the big query.

Thx!

Rama

Sponsor Information

SQL Server having some performance issues? Idera SQL check. FREE SQL Server enhancement.

NEW! Top 5 hard-earned lessons of a DBA from Grant Fritchey & the DBA Team. Read it now

Is “blocking” a bad word at your company? Contact the Edgewood SQL Server Consultants for the resolution.

Free SQL Server performance monitoring software! Improve performance by 65% today with IgniteFree.

Free Learning - Using SQL Server DMVs to Help Improve Performance