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Will unchanged database extents result in identical SQL backup bits on disk? What about with backup compression enabled?

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(I'm trying to predict long-term SQL backup storage needs and if/where to enable compression, on a storage appliance with de-duplication. I know the best answer is "test both and see", which we are doing.) I seem to recall that SQL backups (and restores) are performed upon SQL database *extents* (8x 8kb data pages). My question is, *are those extents handled predictably and consistently by the SQL backup process* in a way that the storage de-duplication can rely on? By that I mean, if we do a full backup each night, *will the unchanged extents result in identical bits on disk (for those unchanged portions) from night to night?* Or is that not reliable/predictable? What if we enable SQL backup compression? Will identical extents result in identical compressed bits from night to night? Or is that not guaranteed?
Asked by BradC (10023 rep)
Jul 16, 2025, 08:43 PM
Last activity: Jul 17, 2025, 04:28 PM