compression of database backups -

Most if not all of the sql servers that I support are not on a SAN, and are
suffering from not having enough local space. This could be mitigated if we
were using some form of database dump compression. The optimum solution
would be one which compresses the data as it was being initially written to
the dump file.
( versus creating a full blown dump file and then running a second step to
compress it )
This compressed file would also benefit us in any subsequent copy steps,
whereby we would be copying the file to another server for stand-by purposes.
( less network time/traffic )
If Microsoft Sql server does not have built in compression, what other
options are available? Are there any 3rd party plug-ins that interface with
sql server and provide a compressed dump file as it is being initially
written?
SQL Litespeed is an excellent product for backing-up and compressing
databases. Here is the link:
http://www.quest.com/litespeed_for_sql_server/
AndyP,
Sr. Database Administrator,
MCDBA 2003
"JohnR" wrote:

> Most if not all of the sql servers that I support are not on a SAN, and are
> suffering from not having enough local space. This could be mitigated if we
> were using some form of database dump compression. The optimum solution
> would be one which compresses the data as it was being initially written to
> the dump file.
> ( versus creating a full blown dump file and then running a second step to
> compress it )
> This compressed file would also benefit us in any subsequent copy steps,
> whereby we would be copying the file to another server for stand-by purposes.
> ( less network time/traffic )
> If Microsoft Sql server does not have built in compression, what other
> options are available? Are there any 3rd party plug-ins that interface with
> sql server and provide a compressed dump file as it is being initially
> written?
>