SQL Server: Backing Up Your Databases

This requires being connected to your database server, which may differ from your application server.

What you will need:

• SQL Server Login (the one used for your Dashboards setup)
• SQL Sever (MS SQL, PostgreSQL. MySQL, Oracle)

MS SQL Server – PostgreSQL Server –  MySQL Server

Backing Up a SQL Database

Your database in MS SQL (or MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL) is where your data lives within your dashboards software. It is best to back up your database(s) often so you do not lose any important information. To backup your databases you will need to:

MS SQL Server

• Open MS SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• Connect to your server.

• Right click on Databases
• Then Tasks
• Now Select Back Up ...

• Click OK

• Now Repeat for all other databases, until all of the databases are backed-up.

MS SQL Server – PostgreSQL Server –  MySQL Server

PostgreSQL Server

• Open  pgAdmin (pgA)
• Connect to your server.

• Right click on Databases
• Select Back Up ...
• If you see Utility not found: File -> Preferences -> Paths -> Binary Paths -> set both to: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\bin\   or wherever the pg_dump.exe file is located.

• If you see the following box fill in the information, unlike MS SQL Server it does not autofill it for you. This requires you to know a bit more about databases. 
• Backup Information
• Click Backup
• In the bottom right corner the following box will appear showing it successfully completed.
• Now Repeat for all other databases, until all of the databases are backed-up.

MS SQL Server – PostgreSQL Server –  MySQL Server

MySQL Server

• Open MySQL Workbench (MySQLWB)
• Connect to your MySQL Instance
• In the Left Navigation Pane it may default to Schemas, select Administration
• Then select Data Export
• Now select the schemas (databases) you would like to backup, then select if you would like them to back up into individual files (Export to Dump Project Folder) or if you would like them to back up as one giant file (Export to Self-Contained file). Also change the location they will dump (backup) to if you do not like the default location or would like it somewhere specific. If you are a database admin (dbA) then feel free to use the Advanced Options, if you are new to MySQL it is best to follow this guide.
• Now if you do not see the Start Export button in the bottom right corner of the Administration - Data Export window, maximize your MySQL Workbench until you see it, then click Start Export
• Now once you see in the top left corner of the Data Export window, Export Completed your Databases are now backed-up. Since it has the option to select multiple databases and how you would like them backed-up, you do not have to repeat any steps.

MS SQL Server – PostgreSQL Server –  MySQL Server

For more information please see:

• All User Manuals
• MS SQL Server Installation Guide
• Previously Read: MS SQL Basics for Dashboard Users
• Read Next: Migrating: MS SQL to a New Server