How to Backup and Restore SQL Database Between Servers

Why Restore Database SQL Server?

The database administrator believes that data can be restored safely from the backup copies. Some more reasons to specify the need for restoring the database between servers are as follows:

• To upgrade the current SQL Server version to the latest version.
• It is required to make the database available for remote branch operations.
• Also, to configure the database mirroring for the database on servers.
• Protection from hardware/software failure, data corruption, or others.
• Moreover, helps to test the consistency of the database across different servers.

How to Restore a Database in SQL?

The process to restore your SQL databases comprises different methods. Here, we will learn about three cost-free manual methods. However, these methods aren’t entirely secure and can sometimes result in SQL data file loss or corruption. Therefore, we have also discussed a professional tool at the end to resolve this issue. Explore both the methods in detail below and opt for the one that is suitable for you.

Method 1: Backup Database SQL Server Using SSMS

This manual method includes the SQL Server Management Studio to backup and restore SQL databases between servers. Since the process is long it is divided into two stages. Follow the steps given below.

Stage 1: Backup SQL Database

1. Launch SSMS and connect to the SQL Server. 
2. Next, expand the Database from Object Explorer, right-click, and select Tasks > click Backup.
    
3. Afterward, a backup window pops up. Select Full as backup type, specify the destination, and click OK.
    
4. Further, a dialog box appears displaying: “The backup of database completed successfully”. Click OK. 

Stage 2: Restore SQL Database to Another Server

1. Again open SSMS and connect to the SQL Server where you want to restore backup data.
2. Create a database with the same name. Further, move to the location of the original backup file and copy it.
3. After that, paste the copied file into a temp folder on any Windows server.
4. Now, right-click the database and select Tasks. Choose Restore and select Database.
    
5. Afterward, a window pops up. Select Device as Source and click the (…) icon. 
6. In the open dialog box, click Add to choose the backup BAK file. Click OK.
    
7. At last, click OK again to restore your files successfully.

Method 2: Restore SQL Database Directly Between Servers

This direct approach is copying SQL files from one server to another. Follow the steps:

1. Open SSMS and right-click on the database that you want to copy. 
2. Select Tasks and then choose the Copy Database option.
    
3. The Copy Database Wizard opens. Click Next and specify the destination server.
4. Further, choose the mode of authentication, enter the required credentials, and click Next.
    
5. Subsequently, select the transfer method and again hit Next.
    
6. Select databases that you want to move or copy and click Next.
    
7. Now, configure the destination and integration services and check the schedule. Click Next.
    
8. At last, press the Finish button to complete the process.

Method 3: SQL Backup using T-SQL Script

Follow the below-given steps to restore the SQL database with the help of Transact SQL queries:

1. Firstly, launch SSMS on your system and connect to the SQL Server.
2. Next, select the New Query tab from the taskbar.
3. The SQL Query window opens. Type the below query to create a backup:

BACKUP DATABASE (DatabaseName) to DISK = “FilePath\FileName.bak

4. Once the backup process is complete, transfer the file to the destination server. You can use any of the methods like FTP, SCP, or shared network drives for this transfer.
5. Further, type the following query to restore your file to another database:

RESTORE DATABASE (DatabaseName) from DISK = “FilePath\FileName.bak”

6. Finally, hit the Execute button to run the query and restore the database in the SQL server.

Loopholes of the Manual Method

• Copy Database Wizard is not available in the Express edition of SQL Server.
• You cannot move or copy SQL or system databases to an earlier version of the server.
• The Copy Wizard does not apply to databases that are marked for replication or inaccessible, etc.
• Also, these methods are tedious, time-consuming, and complex. Thus, requires technical assistance.
• Moreover, there is a high risk of data loss or corruption in following these free-of-cost manual methods.

Automated Tool to Restore SQL Database Effortlessly

We can see that manual methods do solve our problems. But what if you want to backup and restore multiple databases at once? Or what if your system gets crashed, or your MDF and NDF files are corrupted? In such a case choosing an expert tool is the best option. The SQL Server Database Repair Tool is an excellent solution to resolve all your issues. This tool restores the maximum possible data from corrupt files and has many other advantageous features. These are as follows:

• It restores all the database objects like Tables, Views, Functions, etc.
• Maintains the original data structure and properties during the process.
• Helps to Fix SQL Server Error 15105 and retrieve data swiftly.

Steps to Recover SQL Database

1. Install and run the tool as an administrator on your system.
2. Click Open to browse and add the SQL database files containing an error.
3. Further, select the Recovery mode and log file path. Click OK.
    
4. The software shows you the tree hierarchy containing all recovered items.
5. Preview and select the folders you want to restore and click Save SQL Data.
    
6. Afterward, choose the saving mode, either SQL Server or SQL script. Connect to the server where you want to restore.
    
7. Here, add on the other required software features from the given options.
8. Finally, click OK to restore the recovered SQL data.

Conclusion

To sum up, we studied different needs to restore SQL databases. After that, we explored different manual methods. However, these methods are tiring and complex. A small mistake can result in a huge loss. To overcome it, we further learned about a professional tool. This tool overcomes the limitations of manual methods and helps restore our SQL files easily and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About The Author:

Edwin Stark

Edwin Stark is a Technical Content Writer who specializes in writing about databases, e-mail recovery, and e-mail migration solutions. He loves researching and developing content that helps database administrators, organizations and novices to fix multiple problems.

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