Stedman’s SQL School · Online course · Self-paced
Make sure you can restore before you ever have to
Learn to design, run and test a SQL Server backup and recovery plan that survives hardware failure, corruption and ransomware.
12 modules · 44 lessons · 3 hours 19 minutes of video · quizzes and restore scripts
One-time fee, lifetime access, free preview lessons. Not sure it fits? Book a free 30-minute consult.
More SQL School courses
What you will be able to do
Our SQL Server backup and recovery course is a practical guide to keeping your databases safe, secure and ready for any disaster. Whether you are assessing an existing backup strategy or starting from scratch, you will finish with a backup and recovery plan you have actually tested.
Plan
- Define recovery time (RTO) and recovery point (RPO) objectives for each database
- Choose full, differential and transaction log backups that meet them
- Know what you might need to restore from, before it happens
Run
- Configure backups with SQL Server maintenance plans
- Review your backup history and spot the gaps
- Back up to Azure Blob Storage and move files with AZCOPY
Recover
- Restore a full backup, a dropped or damaged table, and to another server
- Build and test an automated restore script
- Protect your backups from ransomware with immutable storage
Who it is for
Production DBAs
You own the backups and you want a plan you have restored from, not one you hope will work.
Accidental DBAs and sysadmins
SQL Server landed on your desk. Learn the backup types, how to schedule them and how to restore under pressure.
IT managers
You need to know, not assume, that the business can recover from ransomware, hardware failure or a deleted table.
Watch a preview
A few minutes with Steve on what the course covers and why restore testing matters.
Prefer to try a lesson? The first two lessons are free to preview on the course page. Part 2 of the overview is also on YouTube.
What is in the course
12 modules, 44 lessons, 3 hours 19 minutes of video, quizzes and downloadable restore scripts. Click a module to see its lessons.
Module 1: Introduction (7 lessons)
- Introducing the Course (4:29) Free preview
- Prerequisites Free preview
- Horror Stories (8:39)
- Success Stories (3:26)
- Importance of good backups
- Thank You (1:08)
- How to get the most out of this course. (0:32)
Module 2: RTO and RPO (3 lessons)
- RTO and RPO Video Lesson (13:30)
- RTO and RPO
- RTO and RPO quiz
Module 3: What Might You Need To Restore From? (2 lessons)
- Video Lesson (13:58)
- Cases that may cause you to need to restore
Module 4: Types of SQL Server Backups (4 lessons)
- Video Lesson (8:16)
- Types of Backups Quiz
- Types of Backups
- Backup Types
Module 5: Configuring Backups with Maintenance Plans (4 lessons)
- Demo – Full Backups (13:34)
- Demo – Differential Backups (5:48)
- Demo – Transaction Log Backups (6:40)
- Demo – Viewing your backup history (5:06)
Module 6: RTO and RPO Example Scenarios (1 lesson)
- Video Lesson (8:41)
Module 7: Restoring Your Backups (6 lessons)
- Restoring Backups – Intro Lesson (5:45)
- Demo – Restoring a Full Backup (7:17)
- Demo – Restoring From a Dropped or Damaged Table (13:18)
- Demo – Restoring to Another Server (6:55)
- Testing your Backups (1:35)
- Risks of Not Testing Restores (2:32)
Module 8: Considerations for Ransomware (4 lessons)
- A Common Story (7:40)
- Ransomware Statistics
- Ransomware Video Lesson (8:55)
- The importance of immutable storage
Module 9: Building your restore script (4 lessons)
- Supporting Files – restoreLogChain
- Supporting Files – Clean up files.ps1
- The easier way (24:51)
- Testing Your Restore Scripts (6:14)
Module 10: Other Backup Tools (2 lessons)
- AZCOPY to move backups to Azure Storage (7:20)
- Backing up to an Azure Blob Storage URL (4:32)
Module 11: General Backup Notes (3 lessons)
- Using trace flag 3226 to silence backup messages. (5:26)
- Trace flag 3226 details
- Quiz 3226
Module 12: Wrap Up and Review (4 lessons)
- Testing your backups – A gentle reminder
- Course Review (1:40)
- What is the worst thing that can happen? (1:32)
- Other courses
Ready to make your backups boring again? Lifetime access for a one-time $39.99.
30+ yearsworking with SQL Server
44 lessonsin 12 modules
Lifetime accessone-time fee
Since 2015US-based SQL Server specialists
Meet your instructor: Steve Stedman
Steve Stedman has worked with SQL Server for more than 30 years and went full time with Stedman Solutions in 2015. He created Database Health Monitor, wrote the Common Table Expressions book and hosts Stedman’s SQL Server Podcast. He and the team handle backup, corruption and ransomware recoveries for clients across the United States, and that experience shapes every lesson.
Most lessons are taught by Steve, with contributions from other members of the team. Need extra help? If you get stuck on a concept, Steve’s mentoring program gives you one-to-one time to work through it.
Pricing
SQL Server Backup and Recovery Course
$39.99 one-time fee
- Lifetime access to every lesson
- All 44 lessons across 12 modules
- Quizzes to check your understanding
- Downloadable restore scripts and the PowerShell clean-up script
- New lessons added at no extra cost
- Learn at your own pace, on your schedule
- Payment plan available at checkout
Secure checkout on Teachable. Questions? Call (360) 610-7833.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the course take?
There are about 3 hours 19 minutes of video, plus quizzes and hands-on exercises. It is self-paced: start when you like and come back as often as you need.
What do I need before I start?
A SQL Server instance you can practice on (the free Developer Edition works) and SQL Server Management Studio. The Prerequisites lesson is a free preview, so you can check before you buy.
Which versions of SQL Server does it cover?
[CONFIRM] The SQL Server versions demonstrated in the lessons.
How long do I have access?
Lifetime access, including any new lessons added to the course later. It is a one-time fee, not a subscription.
Is there a certificate of completion?
[CONFIRM] Whether a certificate of completion is issued.
Can my whole team take it?
[CONFIRM] Team or group pricing. For now, contact us and we will sort out access for your team.
Is there a refund policy?
[CONFIRM] Refund policy (the Teachable sales page does not state one).
Does it cover backing up to Azure?
Yes. The Other Backup Tools module shows backing up to an Azure Blob Storage URL and using AZCOPY to move backups to Azure Storage.
Does it cover ransomware?
Yes. A dedicated module covers a common ransomware story, ransomware statistics, a video lesson and why immutable storage matters for backups.
What if I get stuck?
Reach out through Steve’s mentoring program for one-to-one help, or book a free 30-minute consult to talk through your situation.
Related courses
Ransomware Awareness Course
Accurate information about ransomware so you can make a plan and not have to pay the ransom.
Free
Preparing for Corruption on SQL Server
How to prepare your SQL Server to reduce the impact of corruption.
$19.99
SQL Server Replication Course
Transactional, merge and snapshot replication, taught by Steve Stedman.
$499.99
Need this done for you?
SQL Server Backup and Recovery Assessment
We evaluate your current backup strategy, help you set recovery point and recovery time objectives, and show you the vulnerabilities before disaster strikes.
Ransomware Recovery
After a ransomware attack we help get your SQL Server databases back online from backup files or decrypted database files.
From the blog
- TDE Certificate Backup: The Restore That Cannot Open
- SQL Server Backup Status: Beyond the Last Backup Date
- Common Reasons you may need to restore from backups
Start the course today
One-time fee, lifetime access, free preview lessons.
Have questions? Contact us or book a free 30-minute consult.