Backup a Database

To backup a database, follow these steps:

1. In the left column of the main window, right-click on TRAVERSE or any company database and select Backup Database from the right-click menu, click the Database Backup button in the toolbar, or select Backup Database from the Database menu. The Database Backup dialog box appears.

2. On the General tab, in the Database combo box, select or enter the company database you want to back up. You can select any company database, company payroll databases, as well as the System (SYS) and main Payroll (ST) databases.

3. Select the type of backup you want:

• Database - complete -- performs a complete database backup.

• Database - differential -- backups only the parts of the database that have changed since the last database backup was created.

• Transaction Log -- saves only the transaction log.

5. The default location for storing the backup file appears in the Destination text box. This location was selected when Microsoft SQL Server was installed. Should you need to define the path, use the Browse button to search for the right folder.

   A default backup file name appears (Company ID_Bak.dat). Accept the default file name or enter a different one.

Note: If you are backing up the ST database, the default file name is ST_data.bak.

Note: A naming convention should be established for your backup files.

6. Click the Options tab to define whether or not you want to overwrite an existing backup.

• Select Append to media if you want the previous contents of the media to remain intact. The new backup is written after the end of the last backup on the media.

• Select Overwrite existing media if you want to overwrite the existing contents of the media with the new backup.

7. Click the Misc tab to view the detailed content of backup media if any exist. If you choose to append your media (on the Options tab), you can use the Misc tab to view cumulative backup information

8. Click OK. As the backup progresses, the percent completed appears in the Message box.

9. When finished, 100 percent backed up appears in the message box and the following message box appears: “Backup Completed.” Click OK.

10. Select another database to back up or click Cancel to exit the dialog box and return to the Server Manager main window.

Note: For advanced topics such as scheduling backups, refer to Microsoft SQL Server Books Online.