Database Consistency Check (DBCC) Options

A database consistency check (DBCC) tests the physical and logical consistency of a database. DBCC provides the following options:

• Before Backup--Checks consistency before the backup of the database.
• After Backup--Checks consistency after the backup of the database.
• Continue with backup, if DBCC fails--Performs a database backup even if a consistency check before backup reports errors.
• Do not check indexes--Checks the database for consistency without checking indexes for user-defined tables.
• Note: The system table indexes are checked regardless of whether you select this option.
• Check only the physical consistency of the database--Detects torn pages and common hardware failures, but does not check the data against the rules of the database schema. It still checks the integrity of the physical structure of the page and record headers, and the consistency between the page’s object ID and index ID.

All error messages that are generated during the DBCC are recorded in the Agent for Microsoft SQL Server log file called sqlpagw.log. The log is located in the Backup Agent directory.

Example: How DBCC Options Work

The following example illustrates how DBCC options work in conjunction with Override Global Options on the Agent Backup Options dialog.

• With Override Global Options specified, the DBCC options selected at the database level will be the only DBCC options specified.
• With Override Global Options not specified, all of the DBCC options specified for the database and all of the DBCC options selected in the Global options will be applied together.

On the Global Options/Agent Options tab, the Database Consistency Check options that follow are specified:

• After backup
• Do not check indexes

On the Agent Backup Options dialog, Override Global Options is not selected and the Database Consistency Check options that follow are specified:

• Before backup
• Continue with backup, if DBCC fails

Note: To open the Agent Backup Options dialog, open the Backup Manager, click the Source tab, browse to and expand the Arcserve Backup server, right-click the Arcserve Backup database, and then select Agent Option from the pop-up menu.

When you submit the backup job, Arcserve Backup applies the DBCC options specified in logical order: Perform the DBCC before the backup starts. If the DBCC fails, perform the backup. After the backup is complete, do not check the indexes.