Knowledge Base

Restoring database backups across a local network

Category: How do I?
Date: 10 Jun 2009
Product: SQL Backup
Previous database backups produced by SQL Backup can be restored directly to a SQL Server from a networked share on another computer.

· In step 1 of the restore wizard, select "Browse for backup files to restore"
  · Select "Add Files..."
  · In "Browse", click "Network Shares"
  · Add the physical server name to the list (rather than the SQL Server instance name) .

As long as the SQL Backup Agent startup account and the user running the SQL Backup console both have permissions to access the location, it should be able to access the locations on the networked machine.

Performance over the network will be degraded compared to a local restore, so while it is technically possible to do it directly over the network, performance issues mean it is better to copy the backup file to the SQL Server and do the restore locally if possible.