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26 TR1081 | Microsoft SQL Server Database Protection Using EqualLogic Auto-Snapshot Manager / Microsoft Edition
6.5 Selective restore of SQL Server databases
Selective restore of SQL Server databases refers to restoring databases that share the same PS storage
volumes with other databases, as well as restoring from Smart Copy collections. During the Smart Copy
creation, ASM/ME detects if databases are sharing the same volume with other databases. In that case, a
Torn Smart Copy Warning message is displayed at the time of the Smart Copy creation.
The Smart Copy option used for a Selective Restore of a SQL Server database is:
 Restore selected database
The Selective Restore process creates temporary snapshot clones of the chosen Smart Copy and uses a
data offload mechanism on the SAN to perform the copy operation. This offload process replaces the
original database files with the files from the clone copy and brings the database online to the server. By
utilizing the SAN for the data movement, the file copy process happens much quicker than performing the
copy through the file system.
For individual database Smart Copies, the selected database is the only option shown to restore. While the
restore is taking place, the database is placed into a “Restoring” state. All other databases that may share
the volume or volumes will not be affected by this restore process, Figure 14.
Figure 14 Selective Restore – Individual Database Restoring