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What are the three recovery models available in SQL Server, and how do they affect your backup strategy? How would you perform a point in time restore to recover a database to the exact moment just before an accidental data deletion? How do you automate regular backups in SQL Server so they run consistently without manual effort? How would you design a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy for a large, business critical database with strict recovery time and recovery point objectives?
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SQL Server › Backup & Recovery

How do you verify that a backup file is not corrupted and can actually be restored successfully?

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Answer

You use the RESTORE VERIFYONLY command to check that a backup file is structurally complete and readable without actually performing a full restore, though the most reliable way to confirm a backup truly works is to periodically perform an actual test restore onto a separate, non production server.
RESTORE VERIFYONLY FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabase_Full.bak';
Real-world example A company's database administrator runs RESTORE VERIFYONLY on every backup as an automated nightly check, catching a corrupted backup file early before it becomes the only available copy during an actual emergency.

Common follow-ups: Does RESTORE VERIFYONLY guarantee the backup will restore successfully every time?;How often should full test restores be performed in addition to verification checks?

Backup & Recovery;SQL Server Agent & Job Scheduling
All 7 Backup & Recovery questions