http://sqlblog.com/blogs/eric_johnson/archive/2008/10/02/backup-compression-with-sql-server-2008.aspxSQL Server 2008 provides a feature, which, in my opinion, has been far overdue -- backup compression. For too long, if you wanted the benefit of compressed backups, you had to look at a third-party tool. Now, backup compression is built right into SQLenCommunityServer 2.1 SP2 (Build: 61129.1)http://sqlblog.com/blogs/eric_johnson/archive/2008/10/02/backup-compression-with-sql-server-2008.aspx#9211Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:16:20 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:9211flank42<p>This feature is only available in Enterprise Edition (or Developer), but not Standard</p> http://sqlblog.com/blogs/eric_johnson/archive/2008/10/02/backup-compression-with-sql-server-2008.aspx#9213Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:45:52 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:9213BrentO<p>To echo Flank42's comment - the ability to back up is only included with Enterprise &amp; Developer Editions, but you can restore a compressed backup to Standard Edition.</p> <p>Data compression, on the other hand, isn't as flexible: it's only available in Enterprise &amp; Developer Editions, and if you try to restore a database with compressed tables onto a Standard Edition, the restore will fail. &nbsp;Important to know before you install your Disaster Recovery server, that's for sure.</p> http://sqlblog.com/blogs/eric_johnson/archive/2008/10/02/backup-compression-with-sql-server-2008.aspx#9216Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:21:45 GMT21093a07-8b3d-42db-8cbf-3350fcbf5496:9216jerryhung<p>It's a feature long overdue, yet MS only enables it for Enterprise edition, which is sad</p> <p>Staying with Red Gate SQL Backup then for compressed backup</p>