Backing Up the SQL Server Source Database
The following section describes how to export the data in the database on the source system by backing it up so it can be imported by restoring the data into the database on the target system for a Microsoft SQL Server database.
Use the following steps to back up an SQL Server database:
1. Connect to the appropriate instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine and in Object Explorer, click the server name to expand the server tree.
2. Expand Databases, and depending on the database, either select a user database or expand System Databases and select a system database.
3. Right-click the database, select Tasks, and then click Back Up.
The Back Up Database window opens.
4. In the Database drop-down box, verify the database name. You can optionally select a different database from the list.
5. You can perform a database backup for any recovery model (FULL, BULK_LOGGED, or SIMPLE). In the Backup type list box, select Full.
6. For Backup component, click Database.
7. Either accept the default backup set name suggested in the Name text box, or enter a different name for the backup set.
8. Optionally, in the Description text box, enter a description of the backup set.
9. Specify when the backup set will expire and can be overwritten without explicitly skipping verification of the expiration data.
10. Choose the type of backup destination by clicking Disk or Tape and specify the paths of each disk or tape. The selected paths are displayed in the Back up to list box. To remove a backup destination, select it and click Remove. To view the contents of a backup destination, select it and click Contents.
11. To view or select the advanced options, click Options in the Select a page pane.
12. Accept the defaults as they are on the options page and click OK.
The .bak file has been created in the location of your choice.
13. Copy the .bak file to your target system.