SQL Server 2005 Express - backing up a live DB

  • Hi

    I need to get a copy of a DB from a client so that I can study the complete DB to suggest improvements. So initially I just want to do a one-off backup that I can restore either on 2005 full edition or Express. I am a bit apprehensive as this is a live database and my knowledge of backing up live DBs is very limited. Should I simply click on the DB, All Tasks, Backup etc or is it safer to write a script to do the backup. It doesn't matter if the data in the backup is not completely up to date but I just want to make sure my backup doesn't effect the live DB.

    Thanks

    Lorna

  • You can use either method as Backup is an on-line operation in SQL Server. A backup will take some I/O and cpu, but likely will not be noticed by anyone using the application especially since the database is limited in size it will probably only take seconds to complete the backup.

  • Creating a backup of a SQL database is very simple. And you can perform this from any environment without the risk, or too much risk of harming anything.

    Even while the database is being hit by users, it will do all the hard work for you. It will not allow anything to happen if a table is being used. that is what it logs. SQL will attempt to perform a backup of a specific table, but if that table is being locked, it will place the name at the end of the list(so to speak) and try that table at the end.

    I have never had an issue,m even on databases that were being hit pretty hard.

    If you have any issues, you should allow a DBA to perform this for you. But I could not imagine a SQL Express database being hit hard. LOL

    You can either create and save a SSIS package, so that you can fire it off at will, or simply do not save the SSIS package. You can also write this in a query, provided that you have the proper permissions.

    Andrew SQLDBA

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