An image backup consists a copy of the database file and/or the transaction log, each as separate files. Image backups provide more flexibility for transaction log management than archive backups do.

You can make an image backup using the Backup utility, the Create Backup Images Wizard, or the BACKUP DATABASE statement. Image backups are available on all supported platforms, and are the only supported type of backup on Windows Mobile.

Backing up a database to a tape drive

To make backups to tape using an image backup, you have to take each backup copy and put it on tape using a disk backup utility.

Restoring from image backups

To restore from an image backup, copy the saved files back to their original locations and reapply the transaction logs. See Recovering from multiple transaction logs.

See also

• BACKUP statement
• Backup utility (dbbackup)
• RESTORE DATABASE statement
• Making archive backups