Master database:

It is a must run DB. It contains all server related information like server version, user/login details, configuration settings, linked server details, instance information and etc.

In SQL server 2000 all the system databases are stored in master database directly but in SQL Server 2k5/2k8 we have resource database where the actual tables are stored and the sys schema of the system tables are stored in master database. So in SQL Server 2 k 5/2 k 8 master databases will have schemas and stored procedures of the actual system objects.

The maximum size till master database log file can grow is 2 terabytes (SQL Server 2008) and for data file there are no such restriction, it grows till the disk is full. ‘sys.databases’ view can be used to get information of master database.

Complete list of Do’s and Don’ts:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187837.aspx

Rebuilding:

For rebuilding system databases in SQL Server 2005 version we have to use ‘setup.exe’ and to perform this we need to insert the installation DVD.

For rebuilding system databases in SQL Server 2008 version we have to use ‘setup.exe’. This exe can be found in the directory where we installed sql server ‘100\Setup Bootstrap\Release’ location. To perform this no need to insert the installation DVD it automatically takes the databases from BINN/templates folder.

Rebuilding system databases in SQL Server 2008:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/psssql/archive/2008/08/29/how-to-rebuild-system-databases-in-sql-server-2008.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms175535.aspx

For rebuilding master database in SQL Server 2000:

While rebuild master database in this version we can use ‘rebuildm.exe’.   This opens up the ‘Rebuild Master’ window where we can set up the options required.

Reference:

http://dbarecovery.com/backup-and-recovery-exercises/sql-server-2000-disaster-recovery-exercises/sql-server-2000-restore-master-database.html