Restore backup to earlier SQL2K build

  • Is there any reason I could not take a backup from a SQL2K 8.0.2065 server and restore it to an earlier SQL2K 8.0.194 server?

    John

  • I know you can't restore to prior versions. I haven't tried prior partial-versions. Try it and find out.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • Is it safe to assume that if the restore succeeds, all is well and if it fails, nothing is well? Put another way, are there any hidden gotchas that might surface later if the restore succeeds?

  • That should work (though you need to patch the destination, it's vulnerable to slammer at the very least)

    There are only 2 cases I know of where a service pack bumped the internal database version.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • It works!

    I created a new database with four tables, 1 million rows each, backed it up, restored it to the old server. It restored ok. The sum of values in a numeric column in the source matches the sum in the target.

    As Gail mentioned, I need to patch this server. Can I install Service Pack 4 without installing 1, 2, 3, 3a first?

  • Yes.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Thanks for your help, all!

  • Just a note, when restoring across versions a backup will either restore correctly or it won't restore at all.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply