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Presently i am generating SQL scripts everyday to take the backup of SQL Azure database. I need to automate this process using some freeware. How can i achieve this?

Note:- I need to take the backup in form of SQL Script to some local machine.

David Makogon
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Balraj Singh
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5 Answers5

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Option 1: Run some code/script to backup the database

You could run the SQL using the SQLCMD utility.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms162773.aspx

To schedule this, just use the Windows Task Scheduler.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb756979.aspx

Option 2: Use Azure Data Sync

Keep a local database in sync with your SQL Azure database, like a constant backup.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/hh456371.aspx

Option 3: Use BacPac

There is an API available in Azure to backup your database to a BACPAC format.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/hh335292.aspx

A RedGate tool then allows you to restore to a local SQL Server.

http://www.red-gate.com/products/dba/sql-azure-backup/

Edit

I have since created a command line tool which will create a copy of your database, and back it up to BacPac using the Azure Management API:

https://github.com/richorama/SQLDatabaseBackup

Richard Astbury
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  • Thanks for your reply. But can you elaborate on how to generate SQL Script for data using SQLCMD? as we get the data from generate script feature in SQL Azure or SQL Server. – Balraj Singh Jan 11 '12 at 12:32
  • The command line utility from redgate has been discontinued. It is still available but contains open issues. – Simon Opelt Dec 04 '12 at 10:36
  • I have actually published a command line tool that helps you do this. It's not completely finished, but serves as an example of how to automate this: https://github.com/richorama/SQLDatabaseBackup – Richard Astbury Dec 21 '12 at 11:14
  • If you create a secondary Azure SQL server you can do this as Transact-SQL by executing this command on your secondary Azure Server: `CREATE DATABASE YourBackUPDatabaseName AS COPY OF YourProductionServer.ProductionDatabaseName;` – Flea Apr 08 '13 at 15:36
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You could try RedGate Azure Sql backup http://www.red-gate.com/products/dba/sql-azure-backup/

That can be also scheduled using Task Scheduler.

I have written some ideas on how to do that: http://anttitech.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/azure-sql-backup-and-restore-scenarios-using-bacpac-exportimport/

Antti Makkonen
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  • Thanks for your reply i am now using this and it is working properly. Only issue that i am now facing is that since in the script we have to mention local database name and it is constant always so the previous day backup is lost. Is there any way that i can declare the databasename like [DATABASENAME_CURRENT].Following is my script that i have used and scheduled a job. ./RedGate.SQLAzureBackupCommandLine.exe /as: AzureServerNAME/ad: AzureDatabaseName /au:AzureUserName /ap:AzurePassword /cc /s /ls:. /ld:LOCALDATABASENAME /dl /v /ba – Balraj Singh Jan 12 '12 at 13:11
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Create an in-the-cloud backup of the database (to get a consistent snapshot) and then use the Data-Tier Application Framework (DACFx) client tool to copy the snapshot to your local machine, as described in Automating Windows Azure SQL Database Backup.

Edward Brey
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I have come across a free tool that makes backups of your SQL Azure Databases. Backups can be stored locally or on blob. You can also schedule backup operations with its built-in scheduler, or use the Windows Scheduler and the provided command-line utilities.

Source: http://blog.idera.com/sql-server/backup-and-recovery/announcing-new-free-tool-azure-sql-database-backup/

emp
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SQL Azure Database does not support SQL Server Agent or jobs. You can, however, run SQL Server Agent on your on-premise SQL Server and connect to SQL Azure Database.

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/ee336245.aspx

SQL Server Agent is a Microsoft Windows service that executes scheduled administrative tasks, which are called jobs...For example, if you want to back up all the company servers every weekday after hours, you can automate this task. Schedule the backup to run after 22:00 Monday through Friday

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189237.aspx