We suggest reviewing the SQL database property ‘recovery model’ for the Troika SQL database via SQL Management Studio (SSMS). You have the option of ‘FULL’ or ‘SIMPLE’ recovery models.
For most implementations of Troika, the Troika database is set to ‘SIMPLE’ recovery model within the database properties. The simple recovery model provides the simplest form of backup and restore. The backup of you SQL data is easier to manage because the transaction log is never backed up. However, if there are no transaction log backups, a database can be restored only to the end of the most recent backup of the data.
If a system failure were to occur, updates to Troika data that are made after the most recent backup of the data are lost. You can minimise the amount of potential data loss by increasing the frequency of your database backups in SQL Management Studio (SSMS). For example, if you organised an additional database backup at lunchtime, the maximum data you would have to re-post in the event or a problem would be half a day. Differential backups can also be scheduled to reduce work-loss exposure as these take less resources and are quicker to run.
The full recovery model uses transaction log files to prevent data loss in the broadest range of failure scenarios, and backing and restoring the transaction log (log backup) is required. This can use additional hard disk space and can affect the performance of the database.
If you decide to switch recovery model from ‘FULL’ to ‘SIMPLE’, Microsoft recommend that you back up the log immediately before switching, which allows you to recover the database up to that point. After switching, you need to take periodic data backups to protect your data and to truncate the inactive portion of the transaction log.
Further details of our recommended database maintenance procedures including database backup can be found here.
Introduction to Backup and Restore Strategies in SQL Server
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191239(v=sql.105).aspx
Simple Recovery Model and Backup Guidance
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191164(v=sql.105).aspx
Full Recovery Model and Backup guidance
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms186289(v=sql.105).aspx