Wondering How to Manage Transaction Log File during Data Load? We can help you.

Often while migrating SQL server database, we may end up in situations where the log file grows extensively during data load. And this can also lead to failure of import.

When the transaction log files grow exceptionally and we have to manage log files to make them within the size limit.

Here at Bobcares, we handle requests from our customers to manage transaction logs as a part of our Server Management Services.

Today, let’s see the steps that our Support Techs follow to do this for our customers.

How to manage Transaction Log File during Data Load

Now we will see how our Support Engineers manage the transaction log. We can do this with the following steps:

1. Add Log File to a Database

We can add log files to a database using T-SQL statements and using GUI in SQL Server Management Studio to manage transaction log files during data load. This way we can manage if the transaction log file is growing faster.

2. Using T-SQL Statement

Open a new query window and run the following T-SQL statement to add a log file TY1_Log3.ldf to database TY1 on F drive.

ALTER DATABASE [TY1]
ADD LOG FILE (NAME = 'TY1_Log3', FILENAME = 'F:\TY1_Log3.ldf', SIZE = 20080 MB, FILEGROWTH = 5024 MB)
GO

This T-SQL code will get us details like sizing and growth of log.

Once we execute the above T-SQL statement, our log file TY1_Log3.ldf will be added on F drive to the database TY1.

We must note that when we add the log file to a drive it must have enough space.

If we add a log file to the data file drive, then we might face IO pressure because both data and log files will be on the same drive. So avoid keeping data and log files on the same drive.

Using GUI in SQL Server Management Studio

We can also manage transaction log files using GUI in SQL server. This can be done using the following steps:

1. First, launch SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the instance of the SQL Server Database Engine. Expand Databases folder.

2. Then right-click the database in which we have to add the log file and then click Properties.

3. After that, select the Files page.

4. For adding a transaction log file, we need to click Add button.

5. Then select the file type as log. Specify the initial size of the file. Set Autogrowth column as per our requirement.

5. Now we can specify the path for the file location along with the physical log file name.

6. Finally, click on the OK button to create this add this log file to the database.

Now log file will be added to our database on identified drive name.

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Conclusion

In short, we saw the steps that our Support Engineers manage transaction log file during data load of our customers.