Please start any new threads on our new
site at https://forums.sqlteam.com. We've got lots of great SQL Server
experts to answer whatever question you can come up with.
Author |
Topic |
sgraves
Starting Member
29 Posts |
Posted - 2008-06-16 : 10:42:41
|
I am trying to copy my database file so I can move it to another server. I found a file with .mdf file extention and a file with .ldf. Are these the files I need to copy?They are stored in: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\DataThanks for any help.Scott |
|
jhocutt
Constraint Violating Yak Guru
385 Posts |
Posted - 2008-06-16 : 10:48:43
|
Yes, but a safer way would be to back up the database and copy the .BAK file to the new server and do a restore."God does not play dice" -- Albert Einstein"Not only does God play dice, but he sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen." -- Stephen Hawking |
|
|
sodeep
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
7174 Posts |
Posted - 2008-06-16 : 14:15:22
|
quote: Originally posted by sgraves I am trying to copy my database file so I can move it to another server. I found a file with .mdf file extention and a file with .ldf. Are these the files I need to copy?They are stored in: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\DataThanks for any help.Scott
Remember if you are detaching and attaching from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005 , by some reason you can't attach to SQL 2005 , you can't go back to SQL 2000 and attach.So go with backup/Restore. |
|
|
tosscrosby
Aged Yak Warrior
676 Posts |
Posted - 2008-06-17 : 17:29:35
|
Or stop the SQL services and COPY the .mdf, .ndf and .ldf files, leaving the originals intact on the source server, and then sp_attach_db on the new server. I don't necessarily agree that a backup/restore is any safer but I do agree with jhocutt about backing up the databases - PRIOR to doing anything.Terry |
|
|
tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess
38200 Posts |
Posted - 2008-06-17 : 17:39:14
|
The reason why backup/restore is safer is because you haven't modified the source database. When you use the detach/attach method, you are modifying the source database. What happens if you can't attach it back? With backup/restore, you don't have that risk.Tara KizerMicrosoft MVP for Windows Server System - SQL Serverhttp://weblogs.sqlteam.com/tarad/Subscribe to my blog |
|
|
|
|
|