Frequently Asked Questions (SQLBackupAndFTP)
This FAQ section is a short version of forum. There you
can discuss FTP,
Remote/Script backup, Advanced
and other issues.
Features FAQ
See features for full list of features and comparison
between Free, Standard and Professional versions. For details see
How does SqlBackupAndFTP work?
in forum.
Q: Is there a tutorial on how to configure SQLBackupAndFTP?
A: See the SQLBackupAndFTP tutorial
Q: What can I do with SQLBackupAndFTP?
A: 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 or on a FTP server (with any custom port),
remove old backups and send yourself an e-mail confirmation on Success of Failure.
It can also make remote database backups (when not installed
on the same server) using scripting (in permanent Beta).
Q: How do I restore backups?
A:Any way you want - it is a standard SQL server backup in
a common zip file. See this post for details.
Q: What can I do additionally with Advanced Settings?
A: You can run encrypt zip files
(Professional version only) , specify a custom account to run scheduled jobs, set
a custom Temp folder, customize database timeout, set custom zip compression level
& more
Q: What I can NOT do with
SQLBackupAndFTP?
A: We do not provide FTP storage - you have to use your own
FTP server. Database restore could be done by freeware One-Click
SQL Restore or you can do it yourself using RESTORE DATABASE command or
through the SQL Management Studio.
Q: Can SQLBackupAndFTP do Remote Backups?
A: Yes, see details and
discuss remote backup.
Q: What is the difference between Free and other versions?
A: All alow you do unlmited number of databases to backup
using "Run Now" button. But Free is limited to 2 and Lite to 5 scheduled backups
per day. Standard is unlimited. Professional adds AES encryption and FTPS. Ultimate
is the same as Professional plus lifetime upgrages.compare features
Q: Does it run as a service? Does it need to be started?
A: The start is triggered by Windows Scheduler when the job
is scheduled to run once a day or a service in more complicated scenarios. The program
will run just fine after system restart and you do not need to be logged-in for
it to start.
Q: How to set differential or transaction log backups?
A: Click on "Advanced Schedule" button - you will find all
options there .
Q: Does SQLBackupAndFTP have a command line interface?
A: Yes. See this
post. Note that command-line options are ortogonal (additional) to the options
you have in .jobx file. Consider them to be "modifiers" of options saved in .jobx
file. BTW .jobx is just an XML file - you can edit it in Notepad.
Q: Can it be used with Dropbox?
A: Yes. You should specify a path to a folder linked with
dropbox in "Local/Network folder" textbox. Also in advanced settings select output
file format to be like [DatabaseOrFolderName].zip - Dropbox will handle versioning
just fine.
Q: Can I change the default [DatabaseOrFolderName]YYYYMMDDhhmm.zip
output file format?
A: Yes. In advanced settings.
Q: Can it run on more than one SQL instance? I want to backup
both SQL 2005 and SQL 2008 on my server.
A: Yes, just create a separate job for each SQL instance.
Encryption
Q: What kind of Zip file encryption supported?
A: 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.
Built-in Windows compressor does not support Zip64, so use 7Zip (freeware) or other
archiver to uncompress it. You can find more details in
this topic
License
Q: How long is my license valid?
A: The license has no expiration limit for version that you
buy. However, the Automatic e-mail service that you buy with the license is valid
for one year only.
Q: May I install the software on more than one computer?
A: No. You need a separate license for each installation.
You can install it on another computer only after uninstalling it from the first.
Q: When I enter the key I receive "This license key you have
entered is not valid for version ..."?
A:The license you buy is valid for the current version only.
It is guaranteed to work with any new version for 30 days after the purchase. After
that if you want to use the latest SQLBackupAndFTP version, you can purchase an
upgrade.
Q: On Upgrade page you say: "Once you have purchased a new
key, your old key becomes invalid". What do you mean?
A: "Automatic email" service won't work and you are under
the obligation to destroy the old key and not to use it.
Q: Can I distribute SqlBackupAndFTP with my own software
product?
A: No, you can not distribute our program, nor exploit it
for any commercial purposes without our permission.
Sending E-mails
Q: What is "Automated" e-mail settings option?
A: In paid versions on E-Mail settings form you can select
"Automatic" option. If it is selected, all of the confirmation e-mails will be sent
through a Web service on SqlBackupAndFTP.com. A user would not need to set any e-mail
settings other than recipient's e-mail.
Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations through my GMail/Hotmail/Yahoo
account?
See these posts: GMail,
Hotmail, Yahoo
Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations to multiple e-mails?
A: Yes, just separate e-mails by a comma.
Troubleshooting
Q: I can not connect to my database. What is wrong?
A: Use SQL Server Management Studio to connect, and
once successful - use the same parameters for SqlBackupAndFTP.
Q: A job runs fine with "Run Now" button, but when
scheduled, gives error "Could not find part of the path..." or "Access
to the path '[Your Network path"' is denied."?
A: You've saved your *.jobx file on a network or trying
to backup to the network location. When a scheduler tries to run a job, it runs
under Local System account that (unlike your personal account) does not have access
to the network. Just go to "Advanced settings" and set the job to run
under you own personal account.
Q: I can not connect to my FTP server.
A: Try unchecking "Use Passive FTP mode" in FTP
Settings form. Browse topics in FTP
forum for more.
Q: I get Timeout error while backing up a large database
A: Increase the database timeout in advanced settings
Q: My temp folder is too small, can I change it's location?
A: In advanced settings change the temp folder location (to
other drive)
Q: I do not receive e-mail confirmations, what's wrong?
A: By default SQLBackupAndFTP uses "Automated" e-mail configuration.
Free users have 7 days to use it, paid users - 1 year. You have probably missed
our notifications about service expiration. Just set up your own mail server (or
GMail) through "E-Mail settings".
Q: Is there a log available?
A: Right on the main form there's a button "Log"
that brings up a text file with all the logs. In addition a Windows Event Log Event
is written when a job results in a failure. It can be seen in Administrative Tools
> Event Viewer > Application.
Q: "Unable to relay" error when sending e-mails?
A: You Email server settings are incorrect. The specified
SMTP server could not authenticate you as a legitimate user. See more at
http://kb.mozillazine.org/5.7.1_Unable_to_relay.
Q: "ERROR: Script execution failed: Incorrect syntax near
'GO'." error when executing custom SQL script?
A: You should not use GO commands in custom SQL scripts.
See more at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188037.aspx.