Features
What can I do with SQLBackupAndFTP?
You can run scheduled backups of SQL Server databases (full, differential or transaction log), run file/folder backup, zip and encrypt the backups, store them on a network, FTP server, Dropbox, Amazon S3 or Google Drive, send yourself an e-mail confirmation on job success of failure.
How can I start with SQLBackupAndFTP?
It’s simple, see the SQLBackupAndFTP tutorial.
How can I restore backups?
You can restore SQL Server backups right from SQLBackupAndFtp app as long as those backups were made by the program and all logs related to those backup are available. The program will correctly process the backup chain (including full, differential and transaction log backups).
If the logs are not preserved or you want to restore an arbitrary SQL Server backup, you can do it manually (as it is a standard SQL server backup in a common zip file) or using our simple One-Click SQL Restore utility.
Do you provide the storage?
No. It is up to you where to store the backups, we just provide the tool. If don’t know where to start – get a free account on Dropbox.
Can SQLBackupAndFTP do Remote Backups?
No, it needs to be installed on the same computer with SQL Server.
Does it run as a service? Does it need to be started?
The backups started automatically by SqlBak.Service set up on your computer. You don’t need to need SQLBackupAndFtp running and the service is started automatically when your computer reboots.
Does SQLBackupAndFTP have a command line interface?
Yes, see this blog post.
Can I change the default [DatabaseOrFolderName]YYYYMMDDhhmm.zip backup file format?
No, while you could do it in the previous versions, in v11 we removed this option. See this thread.
Can it run on more than one SQL instance?
Yes, just create a separate job for each SQL instance.
Is it possible to run the backup while the database is being used?
Yes, the backup usually has just a minor effect on a performance.
Encryption
What kind of Zip file encryption is supported?
SQLBackupAndFTP provides 2 encryption methods (available in Professional version only):
1. ZIP compatible
It supports a simple password-based symmetric encryption. Note that it provides basic encryption only and is vulnerable to known-plaintext attacks. You can use built-in Windows compressor to open backups encrypted using ZIP compatible encryption method.
2. WinZip AES
AES is a strong encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government. Built-in Windows compressor does not support AES files, so you have to use 7Zip (freeware) or WinZip 9.0 (or higher) to open backups encrypted using WinZip AES encryption method.
Also, note that backup files over 2 GB are zipped using Zip64 format.
The built-in Windows compressor does not support Zip64, so use 7Zip (freeware) or other software to uncompress it.
Licensing
Can I use SQLBackupAndFtp for free?
Yes, you can use it for no charge as long as you need, but you will be limited to 2 databases, full backups only, no cloud destinations and AES encryption. See all features for more details.
Is there a way to try features not available in the free version?
When you install SqlBackupAndFtp you are given a 14-day trial of the full-featured (professional) version. After those 14 days, you will be switched to the free version.
Do I need to pay for a license once or it’s a subscription-based model?
Once you bought a license it never expires and you can use the version you’ve purchased forever. However, you can additionally buy annual Updates, Web Log & Support subscription that allows you to receive support from our team, update your app to the latest release, access the web log, and more (read about all benefits here). Professional Lifetime edition has lifetime subscription included into its price.
When you purchase a license you can get 1 year of the subscription for half-price. If you opt not to do this you will be given just 1 month of the subscription.
Can I install SQLBackupAndFtp on several computers?
When you purchase a license you can specify what number of computers it will be used on. If you exceed this number you will need to either buy a new license or disconnect some computers in your account. The free version can be installed on any number of computers.
Can I distribute SQLBackupAndFTP with my own software product?
It depends. You can distribute unmodified paid version as long as 1 license is active on 1 computer. Contact us for OEM discounts, customization, and private label options. You can distribute the free version with your software provided that you put a permanent direct link to https://sqlbackupandftp.com on a public page of your website with a brief description of how it is being used. Please let us know about this link prior to distributing our product.
Sending E-mails
What is “Automatic mode” e-mail settings option?
In paid editions on the Advanced email settings form, you can select “Automatic” option. If it is selected, all of the confirmation emails will be sent through our web service, freeing the user from configuring any e-mail settings other than recipient’s e-mail.
Can I send email confirmations through my GMail/Hotmail/Yahoo account?
Yes, see this post.
Can I send e-mail confirmations to multiple e-mails?
Yes, just separate emails by a comma.
Troubleshooting
I cannot connect to my database. What is wrong?
Use SQL Server Management Studio to connect, and once successful – use the same parameters for SQLBackupAndFTP.
I cannot connect to my FTP server
Try unchecking “Use Passive FTP mode” in FTP Settings form. Also, check your firewall/antivirus settings.
I get Timeout error while backing up a large database
Increase the database timeout in advanced settings
My temporary folder is too small, can I change its location?
In advanced settings change the temp folder location (to another drive).
“Unable to relay” error when sending emails?
You Email server settings are incorrect. The specified SMTP server could not authenticate you as a legitimate user. See more.
“ERROR: Script execution failed: Incorrect syntax near ‘GO’.” error when executing custom SQL script?
You should not use GO commands in custom SQL scripts. See more.
The post Frequently Asked Questions about SQLBackupAndFTP appeared first on SQL Backup and FTP.