A plurality of transactions are executed in a data storage application. Thereafter, log entries are sequentially stored according to the plurality of transactions in at least one log. Each log segment has a first globally unique identifier (GUID) uniquely identifying the log segment and includes a second GUID uniquely identifying an immediately preceding log segment in the sequence. In addition, the current position in the at least one log is stored along with the current log segment GUID together with data pages during data backup. Subsequently, a position in the at least one log from which to initiate replay of the log segments and a GUID for a corresponding log segment at the determined position at database recovery time is determined based on information stored during data backup. Replay of the log segments is then initiated starting at the determined position. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.