---
title: "Get-DbaBackupDevice"
description: "Retrieves configured backup devices from SQL Server instances for inventory and management"
url: "https://dbatools.io/Get-DbaBackupDevice/"
availability: "Windows, Linux, macOS"
tags: ["Backup", "General"]
author: "Garry Bargsley (@gbargsley), blog.garrybargsley.com"
source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/Get-DbaBackupDevice.ps1"
last_updated: "2024-01-01"
---

# Get-DbaBackupDevice

## Synopsis

Retrieves configured backup devices from SQL Server instances for inventory and management

## Description

This function returns all backup devices configured on SQL Server instances, including their type (disk, tape, URL), physical locations, and settings. Backup devices are logical names that map to physical backup destinations, allowing DBAs to create standardized backup locations that can be referenced in backup scripts and maintenance plans. Use this to audit backup device configurations across your environment, verify backup paths are accessible, or document your backup infrastructure for compliance and disaster recovery planning.

## Syntax

```powershell
Get-DbaBackupDevice
    [-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

```

## Examples

### Example 1: Returns all Backup Devices on the local default SQL Server instance

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaBackupDevice -SqlInstance localhost
```

### Example 2: Returns all Backup Devices for the local and sql2016 SQL Server instances

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaBackupDevice -SqlInstance localhost, sql2016
```

### Required Parameters

##### -SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances. This can be a collection and receive pipeline input to allow the function  
to be executed against multiple SQL Server instances.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | True |
| Pipeline | true (ByValue) |
| Default Value |  |

### Optional Parameters

##### -SqlCredential

Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential).  
Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported.  
For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -EnableException

By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message.  
This avoids overwhelming you with "sea of red" exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting.  
Using this switch turns this "nice by default" feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value | False |

## Outputs

**Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.BackupDevice**

Returns one BackupDevice object per configured backup device on each SQL Server instance.

**Default display properties (via Select-DefaultView):**

- ComputerName: The name of the computer hosting the SQL Server instance
- InstanceName: The name of the SQL Server instance
- SqlInstance: The full SQL Server instance name (computer\instance)
- Name: The logical name of the backup device
- BackupDeviceType: The type of backup device (Disk, Tape, or Url)
- PhysicalLocation: The physical path or location of the backup device (file path, tape device, or URL)
- SkipTapeLabel: Boolean indicating whether to skip tape label validation

**Additional properties available (from SMO BackupDevice object):**

- Urn: The Uniform Resource Name identifying the backup device
- State: The state of the SMO object (Existing, Creating, Pending, etc.)
- Parent: Reference to the parent Server object
All properties from the SMO BackupDevice object are accessible using Select-Object *.

---

Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/