Saving .mdf database

[Maury]

Hello,
I use SQL Server 2005 Express and I would like
to save on db of mine...
Have I only to save the .mdf and .ldf data file
or I need to stop some service or other programs?
Can I use some utility to schedule this?
Thanks
M.

[Erland Sommarskog]

Re: Saving .mdf database

Maury (maurizio.alber ti_TOGLI_@gmail .com) writes:[color=blue]
> I use SQL Server 2005 Express and I would like
> to save on db of mine...
> Have I only to save the .mdf and .ldf data file
> or I need to stop some service or other programs?
> Can I use some utility to schedule this?[/color]

I'm not sure that I understand. What would the purpose be for this
operation? It sounds to like you are looking for the BACKUP command.
Which will not save your .mdf and .ldf files, but save a consistent
backup of the database.

Normally, you should leave the .mdf and .ldf files alone.


--
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarsk og.se

Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books.mspx

Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/books.mspx

[Jens]

Re: Saving .mdf database

I agree with Erland, you could either make a *hot* backup which can be
done via the BACKUP command, or you can use a *cold* backup, wih
stopping the services of SQL Server and copying the files somewhere on
your backup storage. Stopping the services puts up the need to have a
maintainance window, because noone will be able to access the database
during this time. Otherwise its a bit faster to just save away your
data.

HTH, jens Suessmeyer.

---

http://www.sqlserver2005.de

---

[Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)]

Re: Saving .mdf database


"Maury" <maurizio.alber ti_TOGLI_@gmail .com> wrote in message
news:gCn_f.7520 3$PR2.1228292@t wister2.libero. it...[color=blue]
> Hello,
> I use SQL Server 2005 Express and I would like
> to save on db of mine...
> Have I only to save the .mdf and .ldf data file
> or I need to stop some service or other programs?
> Can I use some utility to schedule this?[/color]

Most likely you want to issue a command like:

BACKUP DATABASE <dbname> to disk='x:=\backu ps\dbname_yyyym mdd.bak'

Look up details in Books Online.

If you really want to take the DB off line, do a NET STOP command and then
back up the files followed by NET START.

(I'm not sure of the SQL Server Express service name since I can't get it to
install on my desktop.)

[color=blue]
> Thanks
> M.[/color]

[Maury]

Re: Saving .mdf database

Thanks for these three answers,
I found all very useful.
I thank you very much for your help

Bye
M.