I would like to learn how to transfer a database from machine A to machine B on MSSQL 2000. I remember seeing files for the databases. I think the file extension is .mdf. Can I just copy these files to the other machine and mount it? Thanks. Neil
There are many ways to do this it depends if the task needs to be performed with downtime or should be done without it. With Scheduled downtime where no user's are digging gold on server METHOD -1 Take full backup of existing database using the script below, remember to have disk space for doing the below. BACKUP DATABASE <DATABASE NAME> TO DISK = <FILEPATH with filename with .bak extension> WITH INIT Then move the backup to secondary server and restore using the script below RESTORE DATABASE <NEW DATABASE NAME> FROM DISK =<FILEPATH with filename of backed up file > WITH MOVE <logical file name of data file of database backup earlier> TO <New file path of .mdf file name for new db>, MOVE <logical file name of log file of database backup earlier > TO <new file path of x.ldf file name for new db> METHOD -2 Stop SQL server and copy the mdf and ldf files to new location and attach the database. This more cumbersome process refer book online for further details Without Down Time Refer logshipping in BOL for setting up secondary server for standby option Regards Sat
