Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Features FAQ

Q: What can I do with SQLBackupAndFTP?

A: You can run scheduled backups of SQL Server databases, zip the backups, store them on a network or on a FTP server, remove old backups and send you an e-mail confirmation on Success of Failure.

Q: What I can NOT do with SQLBackupAndFTP?

A: No differential backups (only full), no Remote Backups (coming soon), no Encryption (coming soon)

Q: Can SQLBackupAndFTP do Remote Backups?

A: Not in the current version. SQLBackupAndFTP should be installed on the same server where SQL Server is running. i.e. it operates only on local SQL Server instances. Remote backup feature is coming in the next version of SqlBackupAndFTP.

Q: What is the difference between SQLBackupAndFTP Free and SQLBackupAndFTP Premium?

A: In Free you are limited to 2 scheduled database backups. Premium is unlimited. In Premium you can also select "Automated" e-mail settings to send e-mails through SqlBackupAndFTP.com web service. Note that unscheduled backups using "Run Now" button are unlimited in both versions.

Q: What types of backups are supported?

A: Only full database backups

Q: Are large databases supported?

A: Yes. However note that a standard Zip format has size limitations. So backup files over 2 GB are zipped using Zip64 format. Built-in Windows compressor does not support Zip64, so use 7Zip (freeware) or other archiver to uncompress it.

Q: How many zip files do you create?

A: In general one zip file per day per database in [DbName]YYYYMMDD.zip format. See also "How can I make multiple backups of a database during the day?"

Q: Can you encrypt the backups?

A: Not at the moment, but we will implement this feature in the future version.

Q: Can I FTP to port other than 21?

A: Not at the moment, but we will implement this feature in the future version.

How to

Q: Should I create a single or multiple backup jobs?

A: A single job for all databases is usually simpler. However if you need to connect to a different SQL Server instance (like to SQL 2008 and to SQL 2005), you would need to create separate jobs for each connection.

Q: How can I make multiple backups of a database during the day?

A: Generally SqlBackupAndFTP is designed to create one backup per day per database in [DbName]YYYYMMDD.zip format. However you can scheduler different jobs for different times dWindows Live Hotmail Plusuring the day for the same database and save it on different network or ftp locations (folders).

Q: Can I change the [DbName]YYYYMMDD.zip format for a backup file?

A: No

Q: How can I restore the database?

A: Unpack the zip and use regular SQL Server tools: RESTORE DATABASE command or SQL Server Management Studio

Q: How can I backup a database in MDF file?

A: SQLExpress allows you to use AttachDBFilename keyword in a connection string to attach a database (MDF file) to a SQL Server instance on the fly. XCOPY backup of mdf file would be invalid if the database is in use. As long as your MDF database is attached to a SQL Server (check it using SQL Server Management Studio), the backup of such database is no different for SqlBackupAndFTP from a backup of a regular database. If you don't see it in Management Studio, just right click on "Databases" and select "Attach..."

Sending E-mails

Q: What is "Automated" e-mail settings option?

A: In SqlBackupAndFTP Premium on E-Mail settings form you can select "Automatic" option. If it is selected, all of the confirmation e-mails will be sent through a Web service on SqlBackupAndFTP.com. A user would not need to set any e-mail settings other than recipient's e-mail.

Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations through my GMail account?

Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations through my Yahoo account?

A: Yahoo does not provide this service for free accounts, but only for Yahoo! Mail Plus. Find instructions here.

Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations through my Hotmail account?

A: Hotmail does not provide this service for free accounts, but only for Windows Live Hotmail Plus. Find instructions here.

Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations to multiple e-mails?

A: Yes, just separate e-mails by a comma.

Q: Can I change a subject of a Success/Failure confirmation e-mail?

A: No. The subject contains words Success or Failure, the name of the job and word SQLBackupAndFTP. This should be sufficient to set up the proper filters in any e-mail client.

Troubleshooting

Q: Is there a log available?

A: Right on the main form there's a button "Log" that brings up a text file with all the logs. In addition a Windows Event Log Event is written when a job results in a failure. It can be seen in Administrative Tools > Event Viewer > Application. We are working on a feature that will allow a user to see Logs in the main form.

Q: I can not connect to my database. What is wrong?

A:  Remember that the current version of SqlBackupAndFTP has to be installed on the same PC as a SQL Server instance you are trying to backup. Then use SQL Server Management Studio to connect, and once successful - use the same parameters for SqlBackupAndFTP.

Q: I can not connect to my FTP server?

A: You can use both domain name or IP address of your ftp server for the Host field. With or withoug "ftp://" prefix. You can use subfolders like ftp://MySite/MyFolder/. If you can not connect, first make sure you are able to connect using an ordinary FTP client or just IE. Then use just the same settings in SqlBackupAndFTP.

Q: I do not receive e-mail confirmations, what's wrong?

A: By default SQLBackupAndFTP uses the local mail server (localhost). If you use another mail server - set it up through "E-Mail settings".

Q: I get "Cleaning Error" on FTP server, though the rest seem to run fine.

A: It is a known issue when trying to look for old backups that may need to be removed and ftp permission is set in such a way that backups are being sent in a remote folder (like ftp://MySite/MyFolder/), but use has no permissions to list items in the parent folder (like ftp://MySite/). Modify your FTP connection to avoid such situation.

Q: A job runs fine with "Run Now" button, but when scheduled, gives error "Could not find part of the path..."?

A: When a job is saved in *.jobx file, you have to save it on a local drive, not on a network. When a scheduler tries to run a *.jobx file, it runs under Local System account that (unlike your personal account) does not have access to the network.

Q: "Unable to relay" error when sending e-mails?

A: You Email server settings are incorrect. The specified SMTP server could not authenticate you as a legitimate user. See more at http://kb.mozillazine.org/5.7.1_Unable_to_relay.