SQL Tip-11 | Using SQL Server Backup to Windows Azure Tool
As you know there are so many cool benefits of using Windows Azure Storage Account, everybody want to use it to get advantage. Last month i blogged about “SQL DB Backup to URL\Cloud” feature which was first introduced in SQL Server 2012 and later in SQL 2014 it was integrated completely in every aspect.
But what if you are still running old version of SQL Server and want to take advantage of Cloud?
Microsoft is being very kind and they are providing you a workaround. They released a small tool which can help you create a one cloud backup strategy that means you will be able to take backups on cloud for prior SQL versions like SQL Server 2005, 2008 and SQL 2008 R2.
By using this tool you get all the latest features like Backup on Cloud, using Encryption and Compression in all earlier versions. Currently these features are available only in following versions\editions.
| Feature | Version | Edition |
| Backup Encryption | 2014 | Enterprise, Standard and Business Intelligence Edition |
| Backup Compression | 2008 | Enterprise Edition |
| Backup Compression | 2008 R2 | Enterprise and Standard Edition |
Isn’t it cool you get all latest features even if you’ve not upgraded to new version\edition.
The Utility can be downloaded from this link and the utility is less than 10 MB is size. Let’s see how to install, configure and use this tool.
Installation of this tool is quite simple just like any other regular software.
The tool installs a service which takes the responsibility of taking the backups from local system to Cloud. The tool also creates a separate login for this tool with the name of “SQLBackup2Azure.
To configure this tool you’ve to provide a local path of a folder where your backups will be placed – this location will act as a source for this tool. You need to also mention the file name\extension which will be picked to be backed-up on the cloud. The best part is you can use wildcards to select the type of files.
Next you need to mention the details about your Windows Azure Storage Account, this is similar to creating a credential which will provide necessary access to this tool to backup the files on Azure. You get an option to Verify the account details right from the wizard.
In the next page you also get an option to use Encryption and Compression for all these backups.
Thanks,
Sarabpreet Singh