SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances vs Log Shipping
Developers and database administrators should use SQL Server FCI when they need to ensure high availability for mission-critical applications with minimal downtime, such as in financial systems, healthcare databases, or e-commerce platforms meets developers should learn log shipping when building or maintaining mission-critical applications that require robust data protection and minimal downtime, such as financial systems, e-commerce platforms, or healthcare databases. Here's our take.
SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances
Developers and database administrators should use SQL Server FCI when they need to ensure high availability for mission-critical applications with minimal downtime, such as in financial systems, healthcare databases, or e-commerce platforms
SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances
Nice PickDevelopers and database administrators should use SQL Server FCI when they need to ensure high availability for mission-critical applications with minimal downtime, such as in financial systems, healthcare databases, or e-commerce platforms
Pros
- +It is particularly suitable for scenarios where automatic failover is required without data loss, and when using shared storage is feasible, as it provides a robust solution for hardware failures, OS crashes, or planned maintenance
- +Related to: windows-server-failover-clustering, sql-server-always-on-availability-groups
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Log Shipping
Developers should learn Log Shipping when building or maintaining mission-critical applications that require robust data protection and minimal downtime, such as financial systems, e-commerce platforms, or healthcare databases
Pros
- +It is particularly useful for scenarios where real-time synchronization is not mandatory but near-real-time data availability is needed for disaster recovery, as it provides a cost-effective alternative to more complex solutions like database mirroring or Always On Availability Groups
- +Related to: sql-server, database-backup
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
These tools serve different purposes. SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances is a platform while Log Shipping is a methodology. We picked SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.
Based on overall popularity. SQL Server Failover Cluster Instances is more widely used, but Log Shipping excels in its own space.
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev