Problem

Managing backups for SQL Server databases can be extremely time-consuming, especially in environments with multiple servers. The need for reliable, automated solutions that support various storage destinations, such as local, cloud or network drives, is growing. So how can you streamline SQL Server backups without compromising reliability?

Solution

SQLBackupAndFTP is a comprehensive, user-friendly solution designed specifically to address these challenges. It simplifies the backup process for SQL Server databases, offering full, differential and transaction log backups. Additionally, it supports a wide range of storage destinations, including local disks, FTP servers, Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon S3 and Azure.

This article shows MSSQLTips readers how to automate SQL Server backups using SQLBackupAndFTP. Let’s dive into how this solution can simplify your backup workflow while ensuring reliable data protection.

How to Automate Backups with SQLBackupAndFTP

The tool’s intuitive interface allows you to set up automated, scheduled backups in just a few clicks.

Step-by-Step Setup:

Step 1. Choose your SQL Server. Create a new backup job and connect it to your SQL Server instance:

Step 2. Select databases. Select the databases you wish to back up:

Step 3. Pick a storage destination. Store your backups on a local disk, FTP server or in the cloud using services such as Amazon S3, Google Drive or Azure:

Step 4. Schedule backups. Automate the process by setting up daily, weekly or custom backup schedules. Choose from full, differential or transaction log backups, depending on your needs:

Step 5. Monitor and notify. Get real-time email notifications for successful or failed backups:

Compression of the backup file is set by default and you can also enable encryption of the backup.

That’s it! The scheduled backup job is set up and ready to start.

Press the Run Now button to test the job. Once confirmed, the job will automatically run according to the schedule set in the program. Here’s how it looks in action:

Using SQLBackupAndFTP for Cloud Backup Solutions

One of the standout features of SQLBackupAndFTP is its seamless integration with cloud storage solutions such as Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure. Cloud backups provide an extra layer of security and offsite storage, critical in disaster recovery scenarios.

Example Scenario

A mid-sized company wants to automatically back up its SQL Server databases to Amazon S3 every day at midnight, with encrypted backups for added security. By using SQLBackupAndFTP, this process can be set up in minutes without the need for custom scripts or third-party plugins.

Restoring Databases with SQLBackupAndFTP

In the unfortunate event of data loss, SQLBackupAndFTP simplifies the restore process. You can restore full, differential and transaction log backups directly from the application’s interface. The tool ensures you can quickly get your database back online with minimal downtime.

Conclusion

SQLBackupAndFTP is a robust, efficient solution for automating SQL Server backups. It saves time, reduces complexity and ensures that your backups are securely stored and readily available when needed.

Next Steps

• Explore more on the SQLBackupAndFTP website to learn how this tool can enhance your SQL Server backup strategy
• Download SQLBackupAndFTP and start automating your backups today! Prices start from $0 for the Free edition, which allows you to back up 2 databases to a network or FTP on a schedule. Or you can start a 14-day trial to try out the Professional edition.

A database backup is a special copy of data that can be used to restore the database to a specific point in time. While SQL databases are quite similar in terms of their language, the tools for backup differ for different types of DBMS (Database Management Systems). In this article, we will look at how to create backups for three popular DBMS: MySQL, PostgreSQL and MSSQL Server.

Why are backups necessary?

First and foremost, backups are essential for data recovery in the event of a failure. If your database is damaged or corrupted for some reason, you can use the backup to restore it to a normal state.

An alternative use for backups is data migration. With a backup, you can create new databases that are an exact copy of the original.

How to create backups and restore them

Both backup and restore operations are performed using the tools provided by the DBMS itself, and these tools differ for each DBMS.

SQL Server

BACKUP DATABASE [database_name]
TO DISK = 'C:\Backup\backup_file.bak'
WITH INIT

RESTORE DATABASE [database_name]
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backup\backup_file.bak'
WITH RECOVERY

There are also other ways to create SQL Server backups, such as using PowerShell modules or exporting the database. For more details:

Complete guide to SQL Server backup and restore using the command line

How to backup SQL Server databases on Windows

MySQL

The classic tool for backing up a MySQL database is the mysqldump utility. This utility is installed alongside the MySQL server or MySQL client. It creates a logical backup of the database in the form of an SQL script:

mysqldump --user root --password --all-databases > all-databases.sql

To restore a backup, the mysql utility is used. You simply execute the SQL script with the following command:

mysql --user root --password mysql < all-databases.sql

There are also other methods for backing up a MySQL database, such as using the xtrabackup, mysqlbackup, and mysqlsh utilities. For more details:

How to backup MySQL database on Windows

MySQL command line backup: Top 5 CLI utilities

PostgreSQL

For PostgreSQL backups, the pg_dump utility is used, which also creates a logical backup in the form of an SQL script.

su - postgres

pg_dump -U postgres db_name | gzip > backup_file.gz

This command creates a backup and compresses it immediately.

You can restore the backup using the psql utility like this:

gunzip -c /backups/postgresql/db_name.gz | psql -U postgres db_name

More details on PostgreSQL backups

General backup tips

Where to store backups

It’s a good practice to keep at least two copies of your backups — one in a local environment and another in cloud storage. The more copies you have, the better, though this typically requires more time and financial resources.

Encrypt your backups

Since a backup contains the entire database, it becomes a prime target for hackers who might want to steal your data. Encryption can protect against theft. You can encrypt your backups using an archiver, built-in database management system (DBMS) tools, or third-party products like SqlBak and SqlBackupAndFTP, which offer this option.

SQL Server backup encryption: why and how?

Automate your backups

To protect your data, backups should be performed regularly, so it’s essential to automate the process. There are many ways to automate database backups, from writing a simple shell or BAT script to using third-party software. Here are some articles on automating backups:

How to automate PostgreSQL database backups in Linux

How to automate MySQL database backups in Windows

Automating SQL Server backups on Windows: Why you need it and how to do it

Testing

The purpose of backups is to facilitate restoration. After setting up an automated backup process, try performing a test restore, for example, on a test server, or simply restore the database under a different name. Thoroughly document the steps required to restore the backup and keep this guide alongside your backups.

Why can’t you just copy database files?

When you perform an INSERT operation containing several fields, it may seem like the operation is atomic, and it is — at the logical database level. However, physically, the data is written to the disk in several low-level operations, and if you copy the database files, you might end up with an incomplete (corrupted) row in the table. And even this is an over-simplification.

In reality, databases are complex, with indexes, metadata, and transaction logs constantly being updated in the database files. Simply copying and pasting the files back can lead to unpredictable consequences and database errors. Most likely, the database will fail to start.

Third-party backup tools

If you don’t want to bother with manual backup creation and restoration, you can use third-party backup tools. Some offer automatic backup creation, data encryption, cloud storage, and other useful features. For example:

1. SqlBackupAndFTP — A Windows application installed on the server, allowing you to automate backups for SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL.
2. SqlBak — Provides a dashboard for monitoring and managing SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL backups.

In conclusion

Remember, backups are an essential part of data security, so it’s important to give this process the attention it deserves. Automate your backup creation process, store them in secure locations, and regularly check their integrity.

What will change?

Currently, SQLBackupAndFTP has access to all files and folders on Google Drive. Soon, SQLBackupAndFTP will request access only to the files and folders on Google Drive created by SQLBackupAndFTP. Continue reading Update of SQLBackupAndFTP integration with Google Drive →

SQLBackupAndFTP is a versatile tool specifically developed for database backup and restoration. It enables users to create backups and restore them within the same DBMS. It also offers the capability to back up Azure SQL databases and restore them in SQL Server, and vice versa. To help you migrate data from Azure SQL to SQL Server, we have prepared a comprehensive step-by-step guide on configuring backup and restore jobs. Continue reading How to Import Azure SQL Databases to SQL Server →

SQLBackupAndFTP is a utility designed for backing up and restoring databases. It not only allows you to create backups and restore them within a single DBMS, but also provides the functionality to backup SQL Server databases (local or remote) and restore them in Azure SQL, and vice versa. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to configure backup and restore jobs to migrate data from SQL Server to Azure SQL.

Continue reading How to Import SQL Server Databases to Azure SQL →

We all know creating backups is half the battle. Finding the right place for storage is the other half. Today, let’s see how SQLBackupAndFTP and SFTP To Go can collaborate to solve both tasks.
Continue reading Simplifying Data Protection with SQLBackupAndFTP and SFTP To Go →

To perform MySQL Server incremental backups, binary logs should be enabled and correctly set. Otherwise, you will see one of the following error messages:

Failed to backup “mysql” database with “Full” backup type: ​​​​​​​[DBMS-MYSQL:11015#1]​​​​​​​​​​ Unexpected binary log format. Current value: “MIXED”, expected value: “ROW”. Log in to the DBMS using the MySQL official client or other tools and run the statement to update the binary log format: set global binlog_format = ‘ROW’;

Failed to backup “mysql” database with “Incremental” backup type: ​​​​​​​​[DBMS-MYSQL:11014#1]​​​​​​​​ Binary log is not enabled. Current value of “log_bin” variable: “OFF”. Expected value: “ON”.

Continue reading How to Enable Binary Logging for MySQL Server on Windows →

A script can be run via the built-in Windows Task Scheduler tool. It can be found in the “Administrative Tools” section, or by clicking Win+R and typing taskschd.msc. Open the scheduler and in the “Actions” section select Create Task… Continue reading How to Schedule a Script via Windows Task Scheduler →