Restore a copy of one database over another database

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Starfish - 25 Jul 2008 15:54 GMT

Hello, we have a live production database and then another database that is
just for testing purposes. We would like to update the test database so that
it is identical to the live database. Someone told me that I can just take a
copy (i'm assuming he means backup) of my live database and restore over the
existing test database. I'm not exactly sure how to do this though. I want to
make sure that I'm not restoring over the live database. Can anyone explain
the best way to do this? Thank you. I am running SQL 2000 SP4 Enterprise
Edition.

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TheSQLGuru - 25 Jul 2008 16:33 GMT

Make a full backup of the production system.

On the test system, use RESTORE DATABASE command and specify the REPLACE
option. If test and production are on the same server, triple check that
you have the correct database name! :-)

See Books online for technical info on the backup and restore commands.

Signature

Kevin G. Boles
Indicium Resources, Inc.
SQL Server MVP
kgboles a earthlink dt net

> Hello, we have a live production database and then another database that
> is
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> the best way to do this? Thank you. I am running SQL 2000 SP4 Enterprise
> Edition.

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JOH - 25 Jul 2008 21:32 GMT

> Make a full backup of the production system.
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> > the best way to do this? Thank you. I am running SQL 2000 SP4 Enterprise
> > Edition.

Also, BACKUP now has the COPY_ONLY option. The joy of this little gem
is that you can now take a backup of production _without_ breaking
the backup chain.

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