Unable to open backup device error

[ccampbell]

I am getting the error 3201 "Unable to open backup device 'g:\backup\test.dbk'. Device error or device is offline. Does anyone know how to solve this error. I am using windows authentication to log into query analyzer, and the network path is legitimate. I have also tried '\\server_name\backup\test.dbk' and that does nto work either. Any ideas?

 

[RickCole]

The format should be as per \\server_name\backup\test.dbk'.

The folder backup must also have a share set up with permissions which allow the domain account which the server runs under to write to that share.

Rick.

 

[tlbroadbent]

SQL Server runs under its own set of credentials. SQL Server cannot see mapped drives created under the console login. It has the permissions granted to the SQL Server startup account rather than the user login account. If you want SQL (or the SQL Agent) to backup to another server, you should use the UNC and make sure the SQL Server account is a domain acount with adequate permissions to write to the share and folders on the other server. Terry L. Broadbent
FAQ183-874 contains tips for posting questions in these forums.
NOTE: Reference to the FAQ is not directed at any individual.

 

[ccampbell]

I don't understand, My SQL server is set to start up when windows boots up. How do I tell what the startup account is? My share folder has full permissions for everyone.

 

[tlbroadbent]

On the server, open the Control Panel and select Services. Examine the parameters for SQL Server and SQL Server Agent.

If you have permission to run xp_cmdshell, you can see the login in the outpput of the following command.

exec xp_cmdshell 'set'

The login is typically listed in the USERPROFILE line.

USERPROFILE=C:\WINNT\Profiles\Sqllogin

In Enterprise Manager, if you have system administrator rights, you can see the SQL login on the Security tab of the Server properties.

The SQL login must be a Domain account or it won't be able to access the other server share regardless of permissions granted to Everyone. Terry L. Broadbent
FAQ183-874 contains tips for posting questions in these forums.
NOTE: Reference to the FAQ is not directed at any individual.