When you perform a tape backup, you must select a tape drive and choose how the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard handles backing up and deleting objects in the Microsoft® SQL Server™ version 6.x databases.
The SQL Server Upgrade Wizard transfers all of the data you are upgrading to this tape drive before the SQL Server version 7.0 databases are created.
You may also choose to back up the SQL Server 6.x devices. This is separate from the transfer to tape that the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard uses to complete the upgrade. There are two options for backing up the devices.
Before data is exported, the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard pauses and prompts you to perform a backup. The SQL Server Upgrade Wizard does not perform a backup for you. You must use a backup utility like Microsoft Windows NT® Backup.
Before data is exported, the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard copies the device files to a shared network directory.
Warning If you back up the devices to tape, remove the tape backup and insert a blank tape before continuing. Before the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard begins transferring data to the tape drive, it formats the tape in the drive. If you do not remove your tape backup, the SQL Server Upgrade Wizard overwrites it.
If you decide to delete your SQL Server 6.x devices before creating the SQL Server 7.0 databases, you can choose whether to be prompted before the devices are deleted. All of the SQL Server 6.x device files will be deleted if you choose to delete devices, even if you are upgrading only one database. This will render the SQL Server 6.x server unusable until the files are restored.
Note If you choose not to delete the devices, then you must have enough disk space for both the SQL Server 6.x and SQL Server 7.0 databases. If sufficient space is available, you should use a Named Pipe upgrade instead of a Tape upgrade.