Delete Existing Backup From Network

mbricker@newser.com

I am backing up my SQL Server database to a network location, even though Redgate recommends against it, because I am short of space on my database server.

I have the "Delete existing backup files" option checked along with "All files except the latest 5". I noticed that old copies of my backups were not being deleted and I found this in the help file:

"Note that if you specify a network path in the backup location folder (not recommended), any network copy location options you specify will be applied to files at this path. Similarly, if you specify a local path in the network copy location folder, any backup location folder options will be applied to the copied files in the (local) network copy location."

Arrgggh! You mean I can't backup to a network and delete the old copies, event if I really want to?

Please don't suggest I backup locally, I just don't have the space right now.

Regards,
Mark Bricker

RBA

Hi Mark,

As you've discovered, the options you want are greyed out when then part of the form is unused.

However, you can manually specifiy "WITH ERASEFILES_REMOTE = 5B" via T-SQL.

Please create a scheduled backup job and then, from Management Studio, edit the the job step in this task (under SQL Server Agent > Jobs) and add the above parameter.

The FILEOPTIONS parameter should also be considered (usage described here).

Hope this helps,