Know How to Mirror SQL Server Database to Another Server

Are you trying to know how to mirror SQL Server database manually as well as using automated solutions? Well, in that case, this article is going to help you guys mirror your SQL Server database to another server without any hassles. We are going to mention the entire setup, modern solutions, troubleshooting tips, best practices, and alternate solutions, etc. Thus, reading this article to the very end will help users get answers to all their questions regarding the topic.

Understanding What is Database Mirroring in SQL Server?

Database mirroring refers to creating a complete copy of a database in SQL Server to another server or database. The aim of database mirroring is to keep the primary DB and mirrored DB synchronized. Whatever changes a user will make to the primary database, will automatically be reflected on the mirrored database. This feature serves the function of a high-availability database with the utmost protection from potential threats. Once, mirrored, the system manages the entire process with minimal downtime possible.

Now, Let’s understand some key elements here:

• Principal/Primary Server: This is the primary source where users create or store the original data files. The entire database fetch data for display using this DB.
• Mirror Server: The server where users copy the data as it is refers to the mirror server. This is where the user keeps the data for high availability. 
• Witness (Optional) Server: The witness server is not necessary but it acts as an arbiter for resolving issues between the principal and mirror server.

Now, to understand how to mirror two SQL Servers databases, let’s have a look at the two modes:

• High-Safety Mode – Users who prioritize data safety and consistency, prefer this high-safety mode. It uses the witness server to always keep the original & copy database the same before any changes. It ensures the data safety to the optimum level. However, it might affect performance a little.
• High-Performance Mode – This mode mostly does not let the primary database get affected by the mirroring workload & prioritizes performance. There is no need for a witness server here but a slight risk of data consistency is there.

Pre-Requisites of Mirroring Two SQL Server Databases

Before we step ahead in this DB mirroring operation, we need to understand the pre-requisites mentioned below:

Network Connectivity – For learning how to mirror SQL Server database, firstly users need to have a low-latency & reliable network. This is the bare minimum for establishing a stable connection between the principal, mirror and witness server. Network differences lead to data inconsistencies and poor performance.

Compatible SQL Servers – Both the mirror and primary databases must be running compatible versions to each other. Non-compatible server versions will fail the mirroring & can even lead to data losses or corruption. However, SysTools SQL Recovery Tool can fix such corruption issues.

Check Available Disk Space – Always ensure that the database is capable enough to handle a mirror server. This includes having adequate disk space to let the database grow, sufficient memory space for hassle-free queries, and a decent amount of CPU power for handling the workload with ease.

Correctly Configured Settings – It’s of utmost significance for database administrators to create service accounts with adequate permissions on both servers. For mirroring and synchronization, these accounts will be needed. Moreover, These accounts must have required permissions to make changes in the database.

How to Mirror SQL Database to Another Server Step by Step?

Now, it’s time we proceed to the five-step procedure to simply mirror the database without any kind of hassles at all. Do not skip any of the steps here to avoid all disastrous situations.

Step-1. Enable Database Mirroring on the Primary Database/Server

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect the principal server instance.
2. Go to Object Explorer and search for the database that needs to be mirrored.
3. Right-Click Database > Tasks > Mirror > Set Up Mirroring Wizard option.
4. Set the Principal/Primary server/database & add details & credentials.

Step-2. Now Simply Set Up the Mirror Server

1. Now, set the mirror server to move ahead.
2. It’s time to specify the instance of the mirroring database.
3. Set Mirroring server credentials to proceed with the operation.
4. Select the High-Safety or High-Performance mirroring mode here.

Step-3. Configure Witness Server (If Any)

1. In case of High safety mode, proceed to the witness server step here.
2. Enter the name & details of the server acting as the witness server.
3. Also, add credentials for the server being a witness for the task.

Step-4. Start SQL Database Mirroring

1. Carefully review the setting from start to end before proceeding ahead.
2. Now, Hit the “Start Mirroring” button to begin the data synchronization. 

Step-5.  Monitor & Manage Sessions

1. Monitor the status, performance, & database health once the mirroring is established.
2. Use SSMS to monitor statistics like status, progress, error, warning, etc.
3. Always adjust and optimize mirroring settings to be updated. 

How to Mirror SQL Server Database to Another Using Quickly?

There are various cases where users feel that the manual operation takes quite a long time to synchronize principal and mirror servers. Also, some users do not want to keep constant synchronization. They want to just migrate the data once every few months. To address such issues, SysTools SQL Server Database Migration Tool is what users need.

Step-1. Launch the Migrator Tool & Hit the Open button to begin.

Step-2. Select the Online or Offline mode for the migration.

Step-3. Set the Destination Server/Database to mirror.

Step-4. Select Data and Hit the Export/Save button to finish learning how to mirror two SQL Servers databases.

Alternative Solutions of SQL Server DB Mirroring

Database mirroring is indeed a very good option for users. However, it’s not suitable for all users. There are a couple of other options available for users to try. Let’s have a look at these options:

• Log Shipping Process – With a higher recovery point objective, log shipping becomes another option for the database changes replication. However, it may take longer to recover the database in an emergency when compared to the mirroring. Thus, learning how to mirror SQL database to another server is still a better option.
• Always On Availability Groups – To get an advanced level of solution for data safety & high availability, this is what users have. Always On Availability groups, offer next-level flexibility with multiple read replicas and offer features like read-only routing. This makes this a genuine choice for users.

Best Practices for How to Mirror Two SQL Servers Databases

Now, it’s crucial that after learning the process, we understand the best practices. That’s why, we are going to have a look at the most crucial practices to follow:

24✕7 Performance Monitoring: Any performance bottlenecks, or further error directly impacting the availability of database can be detected with monitoring. 24✕7 performance monitoring becomes easier with tools like SSMS, SQL Server configuration manager, etc.

Frequent Testing for Failovers: It’s important for database administrators to keep testing management to mimic a real database failure. This way, the team can address actual potential issues & threats before the real disasters.

Updating Settings & Configuration: Users must update their configuration settings frequently to avoid any hassles. This way, users can be always have optimized settings as per their SQL Server mirroring environment.

State of Art Security measurements: Make sure to keep the database secure with state-of-the-art security arrangements. This will make sure that no potential threat can pose any kind of harm to the database at all.

Troubleshooting Tips for SQL DB MIrroring Issues

It’s time that move ahead to look at some of the tips to troubleshoot issues in database mirroring for SQL Server. Avoiding these tips might be huge mistake for users later.

Network Issues: To learn how to mirror SQL database to another server without hassles, users need to fix network & connection errors. Thus, Make sure to investigate latency, packet loss, or network congestion in depth.

Performance Bottlenecks: Make sure to Monitor resource utilization (CPU, Disk I/O, memory) & performance bottlenecks. It helps to fix issues timely & avoid all kinds of potential errors with proper analysis.

Mirroring Session Errors: Synchronization and mirroring errors are also quite common. Thus, in order to troubleshoot such database errors, reviewing the error logs closely & doing error handling in SQL Server can help.

Conclusion

Now, we all know how to mirror SQL Server database step by step using both manual and advanced solutions. With the help of the pre-requisites, troubleshooting tips, and best practices, users can execute database mirroring without a single error. Still, if users have any query, feel free to contact us & ask your doubts.