March 29, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Hi,
Our company is looking for a software that uses SQL Server as the back-end database. When we received quote for the software, it was slightly expensive and so they suggested us to get Express Edition for the database which is a free edition.
My concern is that i am not a network kinda person, basically the software guy. But now i am the one who has to manage the backup here. I understand Express Edition doesnt come with SQL Server Agent to do automatic backup.
Can someone help me out by suggesting a cost effective backup which a non-techno guy can do...Is it a good idea to consider workgroup edition which is not so expensive but does comes with automatic back-up option?
Please help me out ASAP !
March 29, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I do backups by using a combination of Windows Task Manager calling a batch file which uses isql to dump the database.
Carlos
March 29, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Are you using the Express Edition?
Could you please explain me the process in detail, sorry i am too naive to this concept !
Thanks in advance
Suganya
March 29, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Yes, Express Edition. I assume that you're familiar with Windows Task Manager and writing batch files. The call in the batch file is:
isql -Usa -P<your password> -S<your server> -dmaster -Q"dump database <your database> to <your backup device> with noinit"
Carlos
March 29, 2007 at 4:23 pm
If you don't want to expose the sa password, create a user that has only the right to backup databases and run the isql command using his username and password.
Carlos
March 30, 2007 at 6:23 am
Something else to keep in mind when choosing Express over Workgroup is that express edition has limitations to the "horsepower" it can use. Express can only use 1CPU, 1GB of ram and you DB cannot be more then 4GB. We actually had to go to Workgroup edition for some of our apps because Express just wasn’t enough.
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx
March 30, 2007 at 9:57 am
Thanks a lot for all your support.
I am actually planning to go for Workgroup, becoz it does Automatic backup though there are some limitations!
April 1, 2007 at 8:56 am
If the limitations of the CPU and memory dont hold you back then the best method of backup is to do what Carlos said.
There is a third party app out there that mimics the agent by a company called Vale software.
http://www.valesoftware.com/products-express-agent.php
I know the licenses are not that expensive, so could be an option worth considering if you prefer the GUI option.
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