How to Copy SQL Server from One Server to Another – Top 5 Methods

“I am planning to upgrade my SQL Server and therefore, need to copy SQL server DB from one server to another server. How can I do that in an easy manner? Kindly suggest me something simple and something that does not involve the risk of data loss. Thank you.”

At present time, moving one SQL server to another is a common query of people. Users often put their queries in various forums as they do not know how to perform this migration. To help the users who want to transfer SQL environment from one server to another, we have decided to talk about the issue. In this write-up, we will share techniques using which, users can move SQL from one server to another. Moreover, it can even SQL copy table from one database to another task as well.

Prerequisites to Migrate SQL Server to Another Server

Before users proceed to migrate data, they must know that learning how to copy SQL from one server to another includes prerequisites. There are several factors that users should keep in mind before they proceed. Let’s have a look a them:

• Users should create a backup of their DB so that in case of any emergencies, users will have the data to restore & prevent the mishap.
• Proper planning should be initiated by the migration management team in advanced. Expectation bars should be set according to that.
• Pilot projects help users test their preparations so that they won’t face any difficulties in the actual operation of server transfering.
• Users must track the server copy task closely to detect any unwanted activity. Moreover, it helps them predict the completion time & accuracy.

There are some terms that users must learn in advance to clone SQL to another server. These are:

1. Source Server: As the name suggests, here you have to enter the Server name where the database is currently located. The minimum requirement for the source Server is SQL Server version 2005.
2. Destination Server: In this field, you have to enter the Server name where you want to move the entire environment. You can manually enter the name or you can browse to the location of the server to select it. The minimum requirement for the destination Server is SQL Server 2005.
3. Use Windows Authentication: This option will allow the user to authenticate by Windows automatically. Therefore., if they have the admin privileges, they don’t need to enter the credentials.
4. Use SQL Server Authentication: It permits the user to authenticate by using the credentials of SQL Server. Upon selecting this option, two more fields will show up.
5. Username:  Enter the username of the SQL Server (source/ destination) that you have mentioned above.
6. Password: Enter the password of the SQL Server (source/ destination) that has been mentioned above.

1. How to Copy SQL Server to Another Server

In this section, we will give you a step-by-step guide to migrate SQL Server from one server to another:

1. To begin with, users have to launch SQL Server Management Studio by accessing it from Object Explorer. Then they have to connect it with the Source Server.
2. Right-click on the DB that you want to copy and click on Tasks>> Copy DB.
3. Copy DB Wizard will appear on your screen and you have to click on Next button.
4. Type the name of the Source Server. Also, select the radio button beside “Use SQL Server Authentication”. Upon selection, Username and Password fields will be visible to you. You have to add correct credentials in these fields and click on Next button.
5. Now, enter the name of Destination Server and choose the authentication mode similar to the previous page. Click on Next.
6. Select the option “Use the SQL Management Object method” and click Next to Copy SQL Server from one server to another.
7. Check the box for Copy or Move beside the DB name you want to transfer. Here, we will choose copy. Click on Next.
8. Check the MDF and LDF files path for the destination server.
9. You can also copy additional objects, otherwise, click Next to move to the next page.
10. Select Windows Event Logs as your logging option in case the copying fails. Move to the next page by clicking on Next.
11. Now, you can choose “Run Immediately” to copy DB now or “Schedule” for any later time. We have chosen Run immediately. Then click on Next.
12. At this stage, you will see the information regarding the server transfer. Check them and click on Finish.
13. The processing will start and you can view the status of the operation that is in progress.
14. Close the window and refresh the destination Server node. You will see that the DB you wished to copy will appear there.

2. Backup & Restore Method to Copy SQL from One Server to Another

As the name suggests, this method includes the backup as well the restoration task. Now, when we proceed further, there are a few steps that users need to execute. Without any mistakes, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to SSMS, Right-Click the Database and Click on Tasks >> Back Up option.
2. Choose Full Database Backup type >> Hit Add button, & set location, name etc.
3. Once the backup is created, Migrate SQL from one server to another one.
4. Launch SSMS in Destination, Right-Click on the DB instance & Select Restore.
5. Select Device option & Backup file created from the source DB to proceed.

3. Import Export Wizard to Copy SQL to Another Server

Here, we have another method where we are going to use the Import/Export Wizard to continue. Here also, we will need the SQL Server Management Studio to continue.

1. Open SSMS, Connect to DB >> Right-Click the Database & Click Tasks >> Export Data option.
2. Click on the Drop Down menu, select source data, server name & DB.
3. Choose a Destination & then add the destination path.
4. Set the source Tables & Views & Choose Next option.
5. Finally view the exported files in the destination.

4. Generate Scripts to Copy SQL from One Server to Another

1. Launch the SSMS application in the system to continue.
2. Right-Click the Databases >> Tasks >> Generate Scripts >> Next option.
3. Click the Choose Objects & Set Database Objects to proceed.
4. Go to Set Scripting options >> Choose Output & Advance option, Select Save to new Query option.
5. In Advance Scripting options, Set Schema and Data from dropdown & Click OK.

5. Move SQL to Another Server – Quick Way

If you are looking for an instant and quick solution to copy SQL from one Server to another, then you can go for an alternate approach ie SysTools SQL Server Migration Tool. The tool is capable of migrating all objects like tables, views, functions etc from one SQL Server to another Server. It gives an option to export SQL Server on existing DB or as new.

Step-1. Launch the Utility in the system to begin the task.

Step-2. Select the Online or Offline Migration mode.

Step-3. Preview the Objects to cross check.

Step-4. Choose Destination Platform & Server here.

Step-5. Hit the Export button to get the desired results.

Why Choose the Advanced Solution?

There are N number of reasons why users should trust the automated solution to get their desired solution. Moreover, when we proceed further, we can find multiple drawbacks in the manual solution that are also mentioned below:

• The automated solution is full of advanced features that can help users to customize their results which manual solution lacks.
• To migrate SQL Server to another server using advanced tools, users get total protection. However, manual solutions are full of data loss incidents.
• Comes with easy to use UI whereas the manual solution is way more technical for users to understand.
• Users can select up to four modes of data migration as:
  • Offline to Offline: MDF files to CSV or Script Files.
  • Offline to Online: MDF Files to Live SQL Server.
  • Online to Online: SQL Server to SQL Server.
  • Online to Offline: SQL Server to SQL Script Files or CSV.
• Users can repair the damaged elements as well prior to transfer.
• The software supports SQL Server 2000, 2005, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, & 2022.
• Apart from this there are several other benefits of this solution as well.

Case Studies to Clone SQL to Another Server

Let’s have a look at a few case studies for the same migration task of SQL server to another server using the solutions mentioned above by users worldwide. It will help in providing a deep insight to the entire process.

Case Study #1

Recently an IT firm contacted us which was struggling with the similar issue to migrate SQL Server from one server to another one. They were having trouble with the limitations of the manual procedures & was experiencing failures. That’s when SysTools stepped in & helped them with the solution.

Background: This IT firm has been using SQL Server 2008 version from past several years & started facing issues when SQL Server released new versions in 2019 and 2022. Increased load & slower responses significantly reduced their work output which started causing all of the hassles.

Challenges: The major challenge they experienced is not having a genuine and direct solution. Their primary challenges include a save data backup and recovery platform to make sure none of their data gets lost during the migration or cloning.

Solution: As a solution, SysTools suggested they either go for the backup & then restore the data on the new server or use the automated approach. After a detailed discussion, the firm agreed to opt for the automated solution to quickly get the desired results without any errors.

Implementation: SysTools team, not only used their flagship wizard for migration or copy of SQL server but also executed the entire project. As per the data of that firm, the entire operation ended in a few hours without a single error. That’s when the firm got impressed the capability of the tool & the entire team.

Result & Conclusion: In the end, we were able to migrate TBs of data from source SQL Server to the destination. As a conclusion that firm became a permanent client of SysTools where all f their migration needs regarding SQL, Office 365, etc are taken care by us. This was a great milestone for SysTools to copy SQL from one server to another.

Case Study #2

An interesting case study about an organization that was stuck with data loss during such an operation to migrate SQL Server to another server.  SysTools took on that project & because of the excellent team & the software mentioned above, we delivered the best results they weren’t even expecting.

Background: This organization was already involved in the server cloning task but failed very badly.  Their business was not able to bear the downtime which was spoiling the user’s trust on their brand. This is what brings them to SysTools for the desired solution.

Challenges: They later discovered that during the first attempt, they accidentally deleted some of the crucial data files which they were unable to recover. Not being able to get back deleted data was their major challenge at that time. This is why none of the manual solutions as able to provide them the accurate solutions.

Solution: The SysTools team immediately took the decision to use the automated tool because it has the feature of bringing back deleted data or corrupted data after repair that manual solutions were not capable of.

Implementation: We started the procedure to migrate SQL from one server to another using the automated wizard while keeping in mind that the primary objective is to get back lost data & then migrate the server. Luckily the process ended just in a record time without any data loss.

Result & Conclusion: As a result, we were able to get back the lost data & clone the server to the destination server. all of the data objects along with the schema were successfully migrated to the destination.

Conclusion

It is not unusual for SQL users to face the need to copy SQL server from one server to another. No matter what is the reason, the migration has to be done without any data loss and in easy way. For the readers who may want to move SQL server to another server, we have shared the manual guide of the process. We expect that users will have no trouble in transferring the database if they follow this instruction. If they are looking for a simple solution, they can also choose the third party utility to perform SQL server migration in a trouble-free manner.