Copy MDF and LDF files to another server? 1

[jbradley]

I have two SQL Server 2000 servers, a production machine and one for backup/development use. The backup box was initially set up by loading a Ghost image of the production server to it. The database is the back end for a batch processing system and changes occur on a set schedule and can easily be reproduced.

My question is, if I back up the database and tran log files each night, in case of a failure of the production server can I restore the backed-up files to the spare server, then reproduce the day's changes to bring the database to the same state the production server was at and put it into production? Would this involve just backing up the MDF and LDF files?

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this for me. Please forgive my obvious ignorance.

Brad

 

[JayKusch]

Sounds like you may want to look into Log Shipping.

http://www.sql-server-performance.com/sql_server_log_shipping.asp

AND

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...rodtechnol/sql/reskit/sql2000/part4/c1361.asp

Thanks

J. Kusch

 

[jbradley]

Thanks! On first read this looks like exactly what we need.

 

[TheBugSlayer]

In any case, yes you could restore your database onto a different server. The steps you take will depend on your backup strategy. Read up on How to restore files to a new location in SQL BOL.