It goes without saying that Database Backup is the most important task for any Database Administrator (DBA). Naturally, large organizations always have a team of DBAs who execute Database Backup tasks. No matter how big or small an organization is, the importance of database backup remains the same across the board. It’s a common practice in several organizations to upload the backup to their remote location for additional safety. I totally vouch for this safety measure of having their additional backup on remote/satellite location. This redundancy comes in handy whenever a catastrophe of not having proper backup surfaces abruptly.
While I was searching online for a very simple solution for one of my clients, I came across a small-sized but feature-rich application from SqlBackupAndFTP.com. This practical application has been created by Pranas.NET (http://pranas.net) I have made extensive use of this tool for some time now and undoubtedly, this tool is very impressive by all standards!
To put it simply, SQLBackupAndFTP is MS SQL Server backup software. This tool performs several tasks such as running scheduled backups of SQL Server or SQL Server Express databases, zipping the backups, storing them on a network or on a FTP server, removing old backups, and finally, sending an e-mail confirmation on job’s success or failure. Besides, SQLBackupAndFTP Free is freeware, which is free from any spyware. Best of all, this ingeniously simple tool is extremely affordable for all. You just need to install it on the server and you can get up and running really fast.
Given below are some important tasks which this tool can perform using daily scheduler:
• Backup SQL Server Database
• Zip the backups
• Encrypt the backups
• FTP the backups to remove FTP server
• Move file to local area network
• Send final status of tasks in email.
Let us now see how we can take backup and move it to the desired folder.
Image 1: First, connect to the desired server.
Image 2: As you can see, all the settings are very easy as described in the following image. Pay attention to these very simple, one screen settings. From database selection to job scheduling, you can configure everything from this page itself.
Image 3: This screen describes all the steps that are being performed. User can easily view the status of all the jobs – either success or failure – on this page.
Image 4: The following screen displays the settings for advanced users who have to deal with large database.
Image 5: This screen displays email regarding final status of tasks, which is sent to the user after task completion.
Now, a question that might baffle your mind is – how this tool is better than maintenance tasks available in SQL Server. Well, here goes the answer. Maintenance tasks are easy to set up for backups; however, SQLBackupAndFTP have integrated solution for encryption, FTP and email which make it superior to maintenance tasks in every aspect.
I would like to present my unbiased view about this tool. At the same time, I want to give my readers a broad perspective about backup tools in general. On comparing this tool with other backup tools I have experienced that it is not the fanciest tool to manage backups or check their health. This is one tool that smoothly performs the job in a few steps compared to native SQL Server backup, which takes numerous steps to execute the same job.
SQLBackupAndFTP is best suited for developers/DBAs who just want to ensure that they have schedule job that takes care of backup and moves them to appropriate place. In fact, it is ideal for any SQL Server database where backups need to be sent every day to a remote FTP server. It saves maintenance time on any SQL Server version. Besides, it is especially useful for SQL Server Express 2005 and SQL Server Express 2008, as they lack built in tools for backup.
This tool is compatible with almost all the known SQL Server versions. It works with SQL Server 2008 (all versions) and many of the previous versions.
While testing this tool, I noticed that there are few limitations. It does not support differential or transaction backups. I also found that this tool only works on local SQL Server instances and cannot connect to another SQL Server on LAN. When I contacted support, I came to know that they are planning to release its updated version in April 2009, which will not have any such limitations.
I strongly recommend this tool to all the DBAs. They must try it as it is absolutely free and does exactly what it promises. You can download your free copy of the tool from here.
Please share your experience about using this tool. I am eager to receive your feedback regarding this article.
Reference : Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
40 Comments. Leave new
Dear Sir
I tried for local it woking fine for me..but when i am going to take remote server backup
its shoing me warning msg there may be error came
do at ur own risk..so i am affraid ..so left in between
as it is huge and very imp..
so what i have to do sir…
plz hellp me..
how to take remote server bkp..
awaiitng for your kind reply..
thks in advance..
Pradeep Kulkarni
S/w engg, Pune
Dear Pradeep,
The message means that remote backup feature is in permanent Beta because we can not guarantee your restore 100%. You should try the restore for yourself.
You can read more about it at
This will be very good tools. I am going to try this anyway. I got RedGate Backup already but that might be something I will need for development server. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this production information.
However I am looking for tools to allow me restore BAK file from FTP server to SQL 2008 name instance directly (No file copy).
Does anyone has similar experience? Thanks ahead.
Dear Pinal,
Zip fomate corrupts file and it’s not opening. Kindly help
@Frank Lan – You could use a scriptable FTP Server to restore the BAK files as they are uploaded. Here is an example script:
I used this software for several months, I found this software is weak on database recovery, and not a real free software, No DBA runs only 2 scheduled job. Finally ,I turn to other server backup software ,such as databk, it works very well for all my 25 database servers
Hello Pinal Sir:
Thank you soo much for such a fantastic article. I was searching this kind of tool and now I got this tool that you suggested. I respect your suggestion and guidance blindly because i think you are the GURU in SQL world.
I use SQL native tools to do the backup. After I install this tool, I found the existing backup files has a blue icon next to it. Only for the full backup.
what does the blue icon mean?
Pinal,
AWESOME TOOL and cost effective as well!!!
I’ve a situation where TDE requires for security of database of course not looking to do it at cell level, however utilizing this SQL Feature to enabled security of database backup files & physical files.
Catch in this scenario is doesn’t want to leave “SQL Native Compression” ability as it saves a lot of space/SAN Cost.
As TDE & Backup compression features are mutually exclusive by Microsoft documents, ready to invest in 3rd party tool which can achieve aforesaid mutually exclusive features. Please let me know if you any product.
Any help is really really appreciated.
not bad, but use drop box and take manual & auto back….
to bad free version is limited to 2 databases
Yup a Good tool……
Too bad it does not have one must have functionality…. Verifying the database integrity… no matter what state the database is in… it will back it up… when you restore it… you realize that the database was corrupt and you can restore it…
so get a tool which verifies the database and backups before and after backups.
Thanks
hummmmm…
Didnt realize, the option was buried under its lame flow of menus…. until it read it here..
https://blog.sqlauthority.com/2014/02/03/sql-server-9-things-you-should-be-doing-with-your-backups/
Thanks again…
Hi, it seems SQLBackupAndFTP released version 11 with the completely new UI. Have you checked it? This article is good but it reviews the old version.
Yeah, need to find some time to do that. This article was written back in 2009.