Comments on: Pop Quiz Hotshot! Your Server Dies! What do you do? What do you do?

By: David

David — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:33:21 +0000

I’m using SQL 2008 on Microsoft Server 2003. I know that’s not the ideal situation. I should be using SQL 2000 on my development/test machine, but I am experimenting and learning 2008. So far I have not run into any inconsistencies.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:12:04 +0000

Thanks Brent. David, what do you use for a Test Server? Operating system? SQL Version?

By: Brent Ozar

Brent Ozar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:36:17 +0000

Andrew & Richard – great questions, but here’s the thing: some testing is better than no testing. If you’re sitting around waiting for the company to buy you an environment that’s an exact duplicate for production as your very first test environment, you’re working for someone with a lot more money than most. Your job counts on your ability to restore your data, and if your company hasn’t bought you a testing environment that’s robust, you have to start somewhere. David’s article is about getting started with fire drill restores, and sadly, I just see way too many “DBAs” who have never tested their restores. That’s just dangerous.

By: Losing Weight and Testing Code | Brent Ozar - SQL Server DBA

Losing Weight and Testing Code | Brent Ozar - SQL Server DBA — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:30:33 +0000

[...] Weight and Testing Code David Stein (Blog – Twitter) wrote a post called “Pop Quiz Hotshot” about starting your disaster recovery plan *now*. It’s a great read with good points [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:38:31 +0000

I read your Test Server article. Is a test server running on XP, actually a valid test? This kind of goes along with Rick’s question. How do you know that code you write will work on your production server if you aren’t running the same operating system on your test box?

By: David

David — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:14:23 +0000

Scott,

You don’t need to install Visual FoxPro on the server itself. Therefore you could use your company PC for that. Also, you can use Windows Server for a 60 day trial period at no cost. Of course you can complete disaster recovery exercises in less than 60 days.

In addition, a test server (for custom code and such) only needs Windows XP, not server and most office PC’s come with a licensed copy so there’s no extra cost there either.

By: scott

scott — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:41:04 +0000

What do you mean the only cost is $50?

For starters I doubt any of my old desktop PCs could run everything my server does (even at a drastically reduced speed).

Secondly I would also have to buy the following software to do it legally.

Windows Server 2003
Visual Fox Pro

By: David

David — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:30:18 +0000

Rick, I personally would not use my production server for testing. In fact, I don't do any development or customization on it if I can help it. Everyone should have a Test Server. If you (with your recovery plan) can build a server from scratch, install all the necessary components, there's no reason to think that it won't work flawlessly with your production Server. Scott, as far as cost, you can build one of these out of an old, decommissioned desktop computer and the only cost you have is for SQL Server Developer edition. The cost is about $50.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:20:30 +0000

Scott,
Exactly. It is something I have never heard explained. By the way, the president of my company says that in the event we loose two or more buildings at the site, the owners will all be heading to warmer climes as the property is put up for sale. So I guess not all businesses need a continuation plan…

By: scott

scott — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:45:23 +0000

I agree with Ricks original point only I have it even worse. I don’t have a backup or test server to practice on. I can’t afford to take down our production server on a weekend and risk not having it working again Monday morning. The budget simply does not allow for the purchasing of an additional server.