How to Backup a Database

Backing up a database is relatively straight forward using SQL Server Management Studio.

1. First open management studio and connect to the Database Server that contains the database you want to backup.
2. Expand the “Databases” folder and right-click on the database you want to make a backup of.

3. Choose Tasks -> Back Up… (now the Back up database dialog appears)



From here, if you simply hit the “OK” button, your database will be backed up in the default location. However, let’s specify a location so we can find it.
4. Select the “Remove” button to remove the current backup location
5. Select the “Add” button and add a new location to backup the database to. Now choose a location on disk and give it a file name. It is good practice to include the date of the backup in the filename. You may also want to save the file name with a .BAK extension
6. You can select “OK” and the backup will begin. You can optionally at this point, select the “Script” button at the top of the dialog in order to retrieve the script that SSMS uses to perform the backup. A new window will open and you will have your script. You can then use this script in a job, or run it yourself.

5 comments

shaveta sharma 02 Apr 2012 at 2:43 am

how we can configure jobs,alerts in sql server 2000?

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shaveta sharma 02 Apr 2012 at 2:42 am

how can i configure jobs,alerts in sql server 2000.?

hi sir,

my name is shaveta sharma .i m working as lecturer in engineering college in india.but i hav some problems while giving notes on some topics related to my subject database administration.kindly send me details regarding my query i posted above.

with regards
shaveta sharma
–

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Komathi 06 Jan 2012 at 5:31 am

Hi Derek, I am new to DBA activities and found the information presented here is very useful and provide easy way to learn and understand. Just want to know any articles already posted related to database restore. If yes, kindly provide the link.

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Derek Dieter 23 Jan 2012 at 10:12 am

Sorry Komathi, not yet. I put it on my things to write about though.

Thanks,
Derek

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SQL DBA 07 Jan 2011 at 8:52 am

You have started a great, clean and clearly described SQL DBA web site. The best thing about your site is that you are writing this with a lot of patience as if you are training a DBA. Wonderful approach, I am enjoying it.

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