SQL Database States: Everything You Need to Know

SQL Database States: Everything You Need to Know

The SQL Server database is always any of these states: SUSPECT, ONLINE, RECOVERING, RESTORING, OFFLINE, RECOVERY PENDING, and EMERGENCY. This article will explain these different types of SQL database states. Additionally, we will also discuss the methods you need to implement. If the SQL database becomes inaccessible while moving through two different types of states. You can use DataNumen SQL database repair to restore. And recover the corrupted database without increasing data loss risk and downtime.

How Can You Check SQL Database State?

You will be able to find the current state of the SQL Server database by choosing the “state_desc” column that is available in the “sys.databases” catalog.

If you choose a specific database and want to know the current state, consider using this function DATABASEPROPRTYEX with the ‘status’ property. Continue reading the article to know details about the different SQL states.

ONLINE

When the SQL database is in the ONLINE state, it will be completely available and users can access the database for all the required operations. During this state, the primary file group will remain online. However, keep in mind that you still need to complete the undo phase of the SQL database recovery.

Just like this, the SQL server database in the online state is a functional and healthy. Generally, a database needs to be moved in this state when it is being launched on the SQL database server.

OFFLINE

During the OFFLINE state, the SQL server database will remain inaccessible for the users. Users need to implement explicit user action to set the database OFFLINE. Changing the state of the SQL server database to offline is extremely beneficial in these situations when you need to transfer the database files to a new hard drive or prevent unauthorized users from accessing the database.

If you want to set the database to OFFLINE state, you need to follow this command: ALTER Database DBLogTest SET OFFLINE: GO.

You can also use the SSMS or SQL Server Management Studio to set the database in the OFFLINE state. To achieve this, you need to go to Tasks by right-clicking on the database. After that, you need to choose Task Offline.

RESTORING

The SQL database will enter the RESTORING state when the users initiate the database restore process. This happens when the user restores the database from backup. During this state, multiple data files such as .ndf and .mdf of the Primary file group will be restored or multiple secondary files get restored in the OFFLINE mode.

When the SQL database enters the RESTORING state, it will become unavailable. When you use the “WITH RECOVERY” option, you will be able to make the database online again after the restoring process has been completed. However, remember that while restoring one or more backup files through the “NORECOVERY” option, the database will remain in the RESTORING unless you access the last backup using the WITH RECOVERY option. Sometimes, the SQL server database might stop working in the RESTORING phase. In such cases, you need to drop the database and restore it from your backup. As per the Network Specialists, data backup will undoubtedly prove beneficial for you.

RECOVERING 

When you restart the SQL server or attach the database to the server, the state of the SQL database will temporarily change to RECOVERING. The database will be marked as the “In Recovery” option when it enters the RECOVERING state. The database will remain inaccessible until you complete the recovery process.

While implementing database recovery, the database sometimes gets stuck in the RECOVERY mode. The database will remain in this state and go through three different types of phases that are based on the size of the database.

RECOVERY PENDING

Sometimes the database will fail to come ONLINE. This situation is known as “RECOVERY PENDING”.

This is where the database can also get stuck. Therefore, make sure you pay close attention while the database is present in the RECOVERY PENDING state.

SUSPECT

When the recovery of the SQL database fails, or the database of the SQL server faces corruption, it will enter the SUSPECT mode. When the database is marked as SUSPECT, it will become unavailable for the users to gain access. However, you will be able to make the SQL database available again using the “Restore and Recovery” method. You can also run the DBCC CHECKDB with the REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS option.

EMERGENCY

As you’re the user, you can change the state of the SQL database to EMERGENCY so that you can easily restore or repair the database. This is one of the most effective ways to repair the corrupted database of the SQL server. When the database is present in the EMERGENCY state, consider entering the SINGLE_USER mode where you will see an option “READ_ONLY”. This will restrict the access of the SQL database to the sysadmin role members.

The primary objective of letting the database enter this specific state is to troubleshoot the problems easily.

Conclusion

These are the SQL database states you should know. Do you have any questions? Make sure you contact us and we will try to resolve them.

 

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