Dump devices store backup copies of databases and transaction logs. It is important to create dump devices and then perform regular backups to those dump devices, so that you can recover your databases in the case of media failure. Dump devices can be disk files, tapes, or diskettes; or for integration with other applications, named pipes. (Diskette dump devices are supported in order to provide compatibility with earlier releases.)
Because the use of dump devices is associated with backup and restoration activities, the information that follows should be reviewed before you perform the procedures described in Chapter 12, Backing Up and Restoring.
For more information, select one of the following topics:
Displaying Information About Dump Devices
Stored Procedures Used to Manage Dump Devices