Why is my log file so massive? 22gb. I am running log backupsWhy Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?Why Can't I shrink log file in full recovery modeSQL Server 2008 - Log file out of control & cant shrink itSql Server 2008 R2: Simple recovery model with transaction log backupsShrink log file after configuring backups properlyWhy is the transaction log file not truncated though its simple recovery model?Shrinking a physical transaction log file on a mirrored databasebackup log larger than log fileUnexpected Transaction Log Flush events and LOG_BACKUP errorsWhy Won't a Database Backup if the Log File is Full?LDF file size is very huge even after doing Transaction log backupLog file is growing up and is not releasing space
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Why is my log file so massive? 22gb. I am running log backups
Why Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?Why Can't I shrink log file in full recovery modeSQL Server 2008 - Log file out of control & cant shrink itSql Server 2008 R2: Simple recovery model with transaction log backupsShrink log file after configuring backups properlyWhy is the transaction log file not truncated though its simple recovery model?Shrinking a physical transaction log file on a mirrored databasebackup log larger than log fileUnexpected Transaction Log Flush events and LOG_BACKUP errorsWhy Won't a Database Backup if the Log File is Full?LDF file size is very huge even after doing Transaction log backupLog file is growing up and is not releasing space
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I can't seem to figure out the answer. I've seen multiple answers like this:
Why Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?
and everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down. I am doing that, but it doesn't shrink anything! I also don't believe I am running any super long transactions.
Server: SQL Server 2008
Recovery Mode: Full
I have a maintenance plan to store 5 days worth of backups. Task 1 backups up the databases with Backup Type Full
, Task 2 backs up Transaction logs. Verify backup integrity
is checked on both tasks.
My DB's normal .ldf
file is 22gb. When I run the above task, the .bak
file is 435mb, but the .trn.
file is 22gb, same as the ldf. And after successfully running the .ldf
doesn't shrink at all, despite everything I've read telling me it should?
What is going on here and why doesn't the log file ever shrink?
I've also tried running this command as mentioned in another answer:
select name, log_reuse_wait_desc
from sys.databases
And it says LOG_BACKUP
for the db with the huge log file.
Based on an answer below I am confusing allocated with used space. These are my stats for:
For reasons I have no clue why, the initial size was set to 22gb...
sql-server sql-server-2008 backup transaction-log log
New contributor
|
show 5 more comments
I can't seem to figure out the answer. I've seen multiple answers like this:
Why Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?
and everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down. I am doing that, but it doesn't shrink anything! I also don't believe I am running any super long transactions.
Server: SQL Server 2008
Recovery Mode: Full
I have a maintenance plan to store 5 days worth of backups. Task 1 backups up the databases with Backup Type Full
, Task 2 backs up Transaction logs. Verify backup integrity
is checked on both tasks.
My DB's normal .ldf
file is 22gb. When I run the above task, the .bak
file is 435mb, but the .trn.
file is 22gb, same as the ldf. And after successfully running the .ldf
doesn't shrink at all, despite everything I've read telling me it should?
What is going on here and why doesn't the log file ever shrink?
I've also tried running this command as mentioned in another answer:
select name, log_reuse_wait_desc
from sys.databases
And it says LOG_BACKUP
for the db with the huge log file.
Based on an answer below I am confusing allocated with used space. These are my stats for:
For reasons I have no clue why, the initial size was set to 22gb...
sql-server sql-server-2008 backup transaction-log log
New contributor
Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
1
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
2
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.
– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
1
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
I can't seem to figure out the answer. I've seen multiple answers like this:
Why Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?
and everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down. I am doing that, but it doesn't shrink anything! I also don't believe I am running any super long transactions.
Server: SQL Server 2008
Recovery Mode: Full
I have a maintenance plan to store 5 days worth of backups. Task 1 backups up the databases with Backup Type Full
, Task 2 backs up Transaction logs. Verify backup integrity
is checked on both tasks.
My DB's normal .ldf
file is 22gb. When I run the above task, the .bak
file is 435mb, but the .trn.
file is 22gb, same as the ldf. And after successfully running the .ldf
doesn't shrink at all, despite everything I've read telling me it should?
What is going on here and why doesn't the log file ever shrink?
I've also tried running this command as mentioned in another answer:
select name, log_reuse_wait_desc
from sys.databases
And it says LOG_BACKUP
for the db with the huge log file.
Based on an answer below I am confusing allocated with used space. These are my stats for:
For reasons I have no clue why, the initial size was set to 22gb...
sql-server sql-server-2008 backup transaction-log log
New contributor
I can't seem to figure out the answer. I've seen multiple answers like this:
Why Does the Transaction Log Keep Growing or Run Out of Space?
and everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down. I am doing that, but it doesn't shrink anything! I also don't believe I am running any super long transactions.
Server: SQL Server 2008
Recovery Mode: Full
I have a maintenance plan to store 5 days worth of backups. Task 1 backups up the databases with Backup Type Full
, Task 2 backs up Transaction logs. Verify backup integrity
is checked on both tasks.
My DB's normal .ldf
file is 22gb. When I run the above task, the .bak
file is 435mb, but the .trn.
file is 22gb, same as the ldf. And after successfully running the .ldf
doesn't shrink at all, despite everything I've read telling me it should?
What is going on here and why doesn't the log file ever shrink?
I've also tried running this command as mentioned in another answer:
select name, log_reuse_wait_desc
from sys.databases
And it says LOG_BACKUP
for the db with the huge log file.
Based on an answer below I am confusing allocated with used space. These are my stats for:
For reasons I have no clue why, the initial size was set to 22gb...
sql-server sql-server-2008 backup transaction-log log
sql-server sql-server-2008 backup transaction-log log
New contributor
New contributor
edited 8 hours ago
SventoryMang
New contributor
asked 8 hours ago
SventoryMangSventoryMang
1265
1265
New contributor
New contributor
Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
1
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
2
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.
– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
1
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
1
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
2
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.
– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
1
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago
Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
1
1
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
2
2
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
1
1
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
You are confusing allocated space with used space. After running the backup use this query to see the difference between allocated and used space.
select file_id
, type_desc
, name
, substring([physical_name],1,3) AS [Drive]
, physical_name
, state_desc
, size / 128 as 'AllocatedSizeMB'
, FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') /128 AS 'SpaceUsedMB' --Addapted from https://sqlperformance.com/2014/12/io-subsystem/proactive-sql-server-health-checks-1
, (1- (FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') / CAST (size AS MONEY))) *100 AS 'PercentFree'
, growth / 128 as 'GrowthSettingMB'
from sys.database_files
order by type_desc Desc, name
You can use the GUI to shrink the log file by changing the 'Initial size'
If you are having troubles shrinking the log, even when it looks mostly empty see my post here
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Taking this backup will just backup the data and clear the log. The actual size of the log will need to be shrunk via a DBCC
command if you really need to shrink the log. Depending on how often you are backing up your log file it will likely just grow again.
Try running this to see how much actual space on your log is taken up.
SELECT
[TYPE] = A.TYPE_DESC
,[FILE_Name] = A.name
,[FILEGROUP_NAME] = fg.name
,[File_Location] = A.PHYSICAL_NAME
,[FILESIZE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0)
,[USEDSPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - ((SIZE/128.0) - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0))
,[FREESPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)
,[FREESPACE_%] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),((A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)/(A.SIZE/128.0))*100)
,[AutoGrow] = 'By ' + CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 0 THEN CAST(growth/128 AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' MB -'
WHEN 1 THEN CAST(growth AS VARCHAR(10)) + '% -' ELSE '' END
+ CASE max_size WHEN 0 THEN 'DISABLED' WHEN -1 THEN ' Unrestricted'
ELSE ' Restricted to ' + CAST(max_size/(128*1024) AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' GB' END
+ CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]' ELSE '' END
FROM sys.database_files A LEFT JOIN sys.filegroups fg ON A.data_space_id = fg.data_space_id
order by A.TYPE desc, A.NAME;
If you actually have loads of free space available you can run the DBCC SHRINKFILE
command in order to get your log file down to whichever size you think it should be.
Edit: You may also want to check DBCC LOGINFO;
then you can see any items that are in use by your transaction log file as they will have a status of two.
HOWEVER whatever activity caused you log file to grow in the first place is likely to continue to happen. From the sounds of thinks you're only taking one log backup a day.
What you should be doing is taking multiple log backups throughout the day in between your full database backups. I'd likely recommend starting with hourly and adjust to see ultimately what works best for you. You can either continue doing this via maintenance plans if that's what's comfortable for you. Other wise you could use Ola Hallengren's scripts to set up a maintenance plan. There are a lot of different options to go with and for the most part they're all pretty great as long as you're taking frequent backups.
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
You are confusing allocated space with used space. After running the backup use this query to see the difference between allocated and used space.
select file_id
, type_desc
, name
, substring([physical_name],1,3) AS [Drive]
, physical_name
, state_desc
, size / 128 as 'AllocatedSizeMB'
, FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') /128 AS 'SpaceUsedMB' --Addapted from https://sqlperformance.com/2014/12/io-subsystem/proactive-sql-server-health-checks-1
, (1- (FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') / CAST (size AS MONEY))) *100 AS 'PercentFree'
, growth / 128 as 'GrowthSettingMB'
from sys.database_files
order by type_desc Desc, name
You can use the GUI to shrink the log file by changing the 'Initial size'
If you are having troubles shrinking the log, even when it looks mostly empty see my post here
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
add a comment |
You are confusing allocated space with used space. After running the backup use this query to see the difference between allocated and used space.
select file_id
, type_desc
, name
, substring([physical_name],1,3) AS [Drive]
, physical_name
, state_desc
, size / 128 as 'AllocatedSizeMB'
, FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') /128 AS 'SpaceUsedMB' --Addapted from https://sqlperformance.com/2014/12/io-subsystem/proactive-sql-server-health-checks-1
, (1- (FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') / CAST (size AS MONEY))) *100 AS 'PercentFree'
, growth / 128 as 'GrowthSettingMB'
from sys.database_files
order by type_desc Desc, name
You can use the GUI to shrink the log file by changing the 'Initial size'
If you are having troubles shrinking the log, even when it looks mostly empty see my post here
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
add a comment |
You are confusing allocated space with used space. After running the backup use this query to see the difference between allocated and used space.
select file_id
, type_desc
, name
, substring([physical_name],1,3) AS [Drive]
, physical_name
, state_desc
, size / 128 as 'AllocatedSizeMB'
, FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') /128 AS 'SpaceUsedMB' --Addapted from https://sqlperformance.com/2014/12/io-subsystem/proactive-sql-server-health-checks-1
, (1- (FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') / CAST (size AS MONEY))) *100 AS 'PercentFree'
, growth / 128 as 'GrowthSettingMB'
from sys.database_files
order by type_desc Desc, name
You can use the GUI to shrink the log file by changing the 'Initial size'
If you are having troubles shrinking the log, even when it looks mostly empty see my post here
You are confusing allocated space with used space. After running the backup use this query to see the difference between allocated and used space.
select file_id
, type_desc
, name
, substring([physical_name],1,3) AS [Drive]
, physical_name
, state_desc
, size / 128 as 'AllocatedSizeMB'
, FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') /128 AS 'SpaceUsedMB' --Addapted from https://sqlperformance.com/2014/12/io-subsystem/proactive-sql-server-health-checks-1
, (1- (FILEPROPERTY([name],'SpaceUsed') / CAST (size AS MONEY))) *100 AS 'PercentFree'
, growth / 128 as 'GrowthSettingMB'
from sys.database_files
order by type_desc Desc, name
You can use the GUI to shrink the log file by changing the 'Initial size'
If you are having troubles shrinking the log, even when it looks mostly empty see my post here
edited 8 hours ago
answered 8 hours ago
James JenkinsJames Jenkins
2,10022045
2,10022045
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Wow the initial size was set to 21gb. I couldn't possibly imagine why. Is it possible for a log file to be "full" when it reaches the max size? Since I added the shrink task to my maintenance plan, it should presumably never be able to get to max size if I am running backups and shrinking often?
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
Actaully I am trying to change it to 500mb and clicking okay and it's reverting back to 21gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
@SventoryMang Read the link at the last line of my answer.
– James Jenkins
8 hours ago
5
5
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
Please don't add shrink to your maintenance plan. If your log file hits a certain size, it will hit that size again under the same circumstances. Thus, shrinking introduces a performance cost (for the shrink and the regrow), but offers no long-term benefit. A one-time manual shrink to after increasing log file back-up frequency is OK, but shrinking log files as a maintenance task is not.
– Brian
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Taking this backup will just backup the data and clear the log. The actual size of the log will need to be shrunk via a DBCC
command if you really need to shrink the log. Depending on how often you are backing up your log file it will likely just grow again.
Try running this to see how much actual space on your log is taken up.
SELECT
[TYPE] = A.TYPE_DESC
,[FILE_Name] = A.name
,[FILEGROUP_NAME] = fg.name
,[File_Location] = A.PHYSICAL_NAME
,[FILESIZE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0)
,[USEDSPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - ((SIZE/128.0) - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0))
,[FREESPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)
,[FREESPACE_%] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),((A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)/(A.SIZE/128.0))*100)
,[AutoGrow] = 'By ' + CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 0 THEN CAST(growth/128 AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' MB -'
WHEN 1 THEN CAST(growth AS VARCHAR(10)) + '% -' ELSE '' END
+ CASE max_size WHEN 0 THEN 'DISABLED' WHEN -1 THEN ' Unrestricted'
ELSE ' Restricted to ' + CAST(max_size/(128*1024) AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' GB' END
+ CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]' ELSE '' END
FROM sys.database_files A LEFT JOIN sys.filegroups fg ON A.data_space_id = fg.data_space_id
order by A.TYPE desc, A.NAME;
If you actually have loads of free space available you can run the DBCC SHRINKFILE
command in order to get your log file down to whichever size you think it should be.
Edit: You may also want to check DBCC LOGINFO;
then you can see any items that are in use by your transaction log file as they will have a status of two.
HOWEVER whatever activity caused you log file to grow in the first place is likely to continue to happen. From the sounds of thinks you're only taking one log backup a day.
What you should be doing is taking multiple log backups throughout the day in between your full database backups. I'd likely recommend starting with hourly and adjust to see ultimately what works best for you. You can either continue doing this via maintenance plans if that's what's comfortable for you. Other wise you could use Ola Hallengren's scripts to set up a maintenance plan. There are a lot of different options to go with and for the most part they're all pretty great as long as you're taking frequent backups.
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Taking this backup will just backup the data and clear the log. The actual size of the log will need to be shrunk via a DBCC
command if you really need to shrink the log. Depending on how often you are backing up your log file it will likely just grow again.
Try running this to see how much actual space on your log is taken up.
SELECT
[TYPE] = A.TYPE_DESC
,[FILE_Name] = A.name
,[FILEGROUP_NAME] = fg.name
,[File_Location] = A.PHYSICAL_NAME
,[FILESIZE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0)
,[USEDSPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - ((SIZE/128.0) - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0))
,[FREESPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)
,[FREESPACE_%] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),((A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)/(A.SIZE/128.0))*100)
,[AutoGrow] = 'By ' + CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 0 THEN CAST(growth/128 AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' MB -'
WHEN 1 THEN CAST(growth AS VARCHAR(10)) + '% -' ELSE '' END
+ CASE max_size WHEN 0 THEN 'DISABLED' WHEN -1 THEN ' Unrestricted'
ELSE ' Restricted to ' + CAST(max_size/(128*1024) AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' GB' END
+ CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]' ELSE '' END
FROM sys.database_files A LEFT JOIN sys.filegroups fg ON A.data_space_id = fg.data_space_id
order by A.TYPE desc, A.NAME;
If you actually have loads of free space available you can run the DBCC SHRINKFILE
command in order to get your log file down to whichever size you think it should be.
Edit: You may also want to check DBCC LOGINFO;
then you can see any items that are in use by your transaction log file as they will have a status of two.
HOWEVER whatever activity caused you log file to grow in the first place is likely to continue to happen. From the sounds of thinks you're only taking one log backup a day.
What you should be doing is taking multiple log backups throughout the day in between your full database backups. I'd likely recommend starting with hourly and adjust to see ultimately what works best for you. You can either continue doing this via maintenance plans if that's what's comfortable for you. Other wise you could use Ola Hallengren's scripts to set up a maintenance plan. There are a lot of different options to go with and for the most part they're all pretty great as long as you're taking frequent backups.
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Taking this backup will just backup the data and clear the log. The actual size of the log will need to be shrunk via a DBCC
command if you really need to shrink the log. Depending on how often you are backing up your log file it will likely just grow again.
Try running this to see how much actual space on your log is taken up.
SELECT
[TYPE] = A.TYPE_DESC
,[FILE_Name] = A.name
,[FILEGROUP_NAME] = fg.name
,[File_Location] = A.PHYSICAL_NAME
,[FILESIZE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0)
,[USEDSPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - ((SIZE/128.0) - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0))
,[FREESPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)
,[FREESPACE_%] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),((A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)/(A.SIZE/128.0))*100)
,[AutoGrow] = 'By ' + CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 0 THEN CAST(growth/128 AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' MB -'
WHEN 1 THEN CAST(growth AS VARCHAR(10)) + '% -' ELSE '' END
+ CASE max_size WHEN 0 THEN 'DISABLED' WHEN -1 THEN ' Unrestricted'
ELSE ' Restricted to ' + CAST(max_size/(128*1024) AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' GB' END
+ CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]' ELSE '' END
FROM sys.database_files A LEFT JOIN sys.filegroups fg ON A.data_space_id = fg.data_space_id
order by A.TYPE desc, A.NAME;
If you actually have loads of free space available you can run the DBCC SHRINKFILE
command in order to get your log file down to whichever size you think it should be.
Edit: You may also want to check DBCC LOGINFO;
then you can see any items that are in use by your transaction log file as they will have a status of two.
HOWEVER whatever activity caused you log file to grow in the first place is likely to continue to happen. From the sounds of thinks you're only taking one log backup a day.
What you should be doing is taking multiple log backups throughout the day in between your full database backups. I'd likely recommend starting with hourly and adjust to see ultimately what works best for you. You can either continue doing this via maintenance plans if that's what's comfortable for you. Other wise you could use Ola Hallengren's scripts to set up a maintenance plan. There are a lot of different options to go with and for the most part they're all pretty great as long as you're taking frequent backups.
Taking this backup will just backup the data and clear the log. The actual size of the log will need to be shrunk via a DBCC
command if you really need to shrink the log. Depending on how often you are backing up your log file it will likely just grow again.
Try running this to see how much actual space on your log is taken up.
SELECT
[TYPE] = A.TYPE_DESC
,[FILE_Name] = A.name
,[FILEGROUP_NAME] = fg.name
,[File_Location] = A.PHYSICAL_NAME
,[FILESIZE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0)
,[USEDSPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - ((SIZE/128.0) - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0))
,[FREESPACE_MB] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)
,[FREESPACE_%] = CONVERT(DECIMAL(10,2),((A.SIZE/128.0 - CAST(FILEPROPERTY(A.NAME, 'SPACEUSED') AS INT)/128.0)/(A.SIZE/128.0))*100)
,[AutoGrow] = 'By ' + CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 0 THEN CAST(growth/128 AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' MB -'
WHEN 1 THEN CAST(growth AS VARCHAR(10)) + '% -' ELSE '' END
+ CASE max_size WHEN 0 THEN 'DISABLED' WHEN -1 THEN ' Unrestricted'
ELSE ' Restricted to ' + CAST(max_size/(128*1024) AS VARCHAR(10)) + ' GB' END
+ CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]' ELSE '' END
FROM sys.database_files A LEFT JOIN sys.filegroups fg ON A.data_space_id = fg.data_space_id
order by A.TYPE desc, A.NAME;
If you actually have loads of free space available you can run the DBCC SHRINKFILE
command in order to get your log file down to whichever size you think it should be.
Edit: You may also want to check DBCC LOGINFO;
then you can see any items that are in use by your transaction log file as they will have a status of two.
HOWEVER whatever activity caused you log file to grow in the first place is likely to continue to happen. From the sounds of thinks you're only taking one log backup a day.
What you should be doing is taking multiple log backups throughout the day in between your full database backups. I'd likely recommend starting with hourly and adjust to see ultimately what works best for you. You can either continue doing this via maintenance plans if that's what's comfortable for you. Other wise you could use Ola Hallengren's scripts to set up a maintenance plan. There are a lot of different options to go with and for the most part they're all pretty great as long as you're taking frequent backups.
edited 8 hours ago
answered 8 hours ago
ZaneZane
2,76221842
2,76221842
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
add a comment |
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
+1 for CASE is_percent_growth WHEN 1 THEN ' [autogrowth by percent, BAD setting!]
– James Jenkins
7 hours ago
add a comment |
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SventoryMang is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Transaction logs do not shrink automatically. Have you tried to shrink it?
– Tony Hinkle
8 hours ago
Doesn't it? How do you set that up via the UI interface? I didn't see that option on my task. But I have tried running it several times manually and it's still 22gb.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
1
I found the Shrink Database task. Added it to my maintenance plan, and re-ran it, still didn't shrink it anyway.
– SventoryMang
8 hours ago
2
everyone talks about running back ups on your log file so it shrinks down
- no, nobody says that, and log backups will never shrink a file. They say running backups frequently should help prevent it from growing, since the space inside can be reused once it has been backed up. Sometimes the log space gets used faster than your backups run. If this happens often, shrinking just to grow again is pointless, just leave them large. If this is due to a known, abnormal event and you've put something in place to prevent it happening again, that is about the only time I would advocate any shrinking.– Aaron Bertrand♦
4 hours ago
1
Be aware that everyone helping you is under the assumption that you have a legitimate reason to want full recovery mode. If your recovery point objective is at least 1 day, consider switching to simple recovery mode and omitting transaction log backups entirely (then shrinking your log backups once).
– Brian
4 hours ago