CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sqlsql-serverbackup
user249205
user249205

Reputation: 21

SQL Server Backup Files

Is the structure of SQL Server database backup BAK file similar to NTBackup BKF file? Is there any reference which can be redirected to understand the difference between NTNAckup and SQL Server Backup (*.bak) files?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 5672

Answers (2)

Igor Kudrin
Igor Kudrin

Reputation: 185

According to the answer How to read the meta data out of SQL Server backup files directly? the .bak file is a Microsoft Tape Format file. Here's a PDF that contains the format.

And here is documentation for NTBackup File https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd305136.aspx

Upvotes: 1

Remus Rusanu
Remus Rusanu

Reputation: 294187

No, the SQL format and the NT format have absolutely nothing in common.

For an overview of SQL Server backup semantics, see Backup Overview (SQL Server).While the NT backup format is documented at NT Backup File and there is an API for access, the SQL's backup format is undocumented and the only access API is via the T-SQL BACKUP and RESTORE statements. The SQL backups (format, semantics, API) long predates the existance of NT as an operating system.

Upvotes: 2

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