Creating database backups allows you to copy data from one computer to another. The copied database can be used for testing, consistency checking, software development, and offline processing, such as running reports, or possibly remote branch operations. By copying a database from one computer to another, it is possible to reduce resource contention by offloading processing to other computers running Microsoft® SQL Server™. Copied databases restored onto separate computers are often used for read-only operations.
A database can also be copied to another computer to act as a standby server or warm backup server. The database and the transaction logs are copied to another computer periodically, which can be brought online if the primary computer fails for some reason. The level of synchronization between the primary computer and the standby server is determined by how often regular backups are taken of the primary computer and applied to the standby server. For more information, see Using Standby Servers.
It is possible to back up a database running on one computer and restore the backup to a separate computer if the following criteria are satisfied:
It is no longer necessary for the processor architectures of the computers running SQL Server to be the same.
Note It is possible to back up and restore databases between computers running SQL Server on Microsoft Windows NT® and Microsoft Windows® 95/98 if the earlier criteria are satisfied.
Other methods for copying data from one computer running SQL Server to another include using:
| Data Transformation Services Import and Export Wizards | bcp Utility |
| Using Standby Servers |