console Utility
The console command prompt utility displays backup and restore messages when backing up to or restoring from tape dump devices, and is used by the person responsible for backing up and restoring a database.
Syntax
console [/S server_name[\instance_name]] [/P pipe_name]
Arguments
/S server_name[\instance_name]:
Is the name of the instance of Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000 in which to connect. Specify server_name to connect to the default instance of SQL Server on that server. Specify server_name\instance_name to connect to a named instance of SQL Server 2000 on that server. If no server is specified, the console utility connects to the default instance of SQL Server on the local computer. This option is required when executing the console utility from a remote computer on the network.
/P pipe_name:
Is the pipe used to start the server.
Remarks
The console utility must be running before a BACKUP or RESTORE statement can proceed for tape dump devices.
Because the console workstation (which can be any screen group) displays prompts and messages for the operator, run it in a window on the same Microsoft Windows NT® Workstation running an instance of Microsoft SQL Server.
If two tapes (that is, two backups or restores) are being used at one time, only one console is needed. The program prints messages one at a time, waiting for a response before displaying the next prompt. For this reason, the messages include the name of the physical drive to which they pertain.
To stop a backup or restore to a tape, enter n in response to any prompt to mount a new tape.
The console utility uses Named Pipes. If you want to use console on an alternate pipe, you must set up the connection using SQL Server Client Network Utility.
Note If the console utility has been started and appears to be unusable, wait for one minute and try to use it again (SQL Server 2000 may be in the process of fixing a broken console connection).
For information about where to find or how to run this utility, see Getting Started with Command Prompt Utilities.