Database Mirroring with SQL

Server
(An Overview)
 About me
• Matt Denton
– Matt.Denton@comcast.net
• Worked with SQL Server since version 6.5
• Worn many hats
– DBA
– Developer
– Architect
• Tended to focus on Dev vs Admin
• Currently working at SouthwestRe
 Why Database Mirroring?

• High Availability
• Disaster Recovery (with asynchronous
mode)
• Generally cheaper than clustering
• Relatively easy to configure
• Supported from Version 2005 thru ?
– At least through version 2016
• Often deployable to existing hardware
 Database Mirroring Shortcomings
• Objects external to mirrored database are not
synchronized
– Logins, Operators, Jobs, Linked Servers,
windows shares, etc
• System databases cannot participate
• Only 1 mirror (target) can exist per principal
database
– Log Shipping, Avail Groups allow multiples
targets
• Mirrored database is not accessible
• Failover can be a challenge for legacy applications
 How does it work?
• Principal server serves database to clients
• Mirror Server acts as hot or warm standby
• All transactions on principal are “redone” to
mirror
– Transactions streamed from principal to mirror
– Works at level of physical log record
• (Replication works at logical level)
– Stream compressed starting with Version 2008
• If using Witness in High-Safety mode, mirror
server is brought up as principal automatically
How does it work?
 Operating Modes
• High Safety (synchronous)
– Transactions sync’d immediately on mirror
– Transactions not committed on principal until
committed on mirror
– Most often used for High Availability
• High Performance (asynchronous)
– Transactions sent to mirror asynchronously
– Transactions committed on principal immediately (no
waiting on mirror)
– Requires Enterprise Edition
– Most often used for DR
 Prerequisites
• All servers must be on same version of SQL
Server
• Principal/Mirror must be on same edition
• Witness can be on any edition (including
Express, as long as same version)
DEMO
 Resources
• msdn.microsoft.com
– Search for “Database Mirroring”
• Google
– You’ll find more resources and examples than
you would ever need
• Me
– Feel free to email me with questions
(Matt.Denton@comcast.net)