Cannot open backup device '\\remotesqlserver\e$\Backup\databasename.bak'. Operating system error 53(The network path was not found.).

  • Hi, all of a sudden my backup job failed with the error.

    Cannot open backup device '\\remotesqlserver\e$\Backup\databasename.bak'. Operating system error 53(The network path was not found.).

    1. The path does exist (meaning there's no typo error) tho i can't reach \\remotesqlserver outside sqlserver on my system and also i can ping the remote server.

    2. I have made the Backup folder on the remote server a shared folder for 'Everyone' and it still didn't help

    3. The Sql Server and Sql Agent service account are the same and its an Administrator tho i don't know if it has access to the remote server or the backup folder. It should right?

    So please help! and if there are any more checks i need to run kindly let me know, i'm new to this. Tnx in advance.

  • You're connecting to the E$ administrative share on remotesqlserve, which is only available to local admins. Assuming your Backup folder is shared as Backup, use this path:

    [font="Courier New"]\\remotesqlserver\Backup\databasename.bak[/font]

    John

  • It's either permissions or the path changed. If you can connect to this path still from your system, then you have a permissions issue. Perhaps a password changed? It might be that the password was the same for both sides in a workgroup-type setting for the adminstrator account (or other account). If you have a domain account for SQL Server (service), then check permissions.

    Typically the admin shares aren't used for this because they can require some permissions you don't want to give, or need. Create a normal share and assign permissions.

  • hi John,

    I have tried as you've suggested (\\remotesqlserver\Backup\databasename.bak) but it still didnt work...

  • Hi Steve,

    I'm not able to connect to the remote server\folder on my system and its not a password issue becoz the password have changed. I'm currently logged into the remote server.

  • Same error message?

    Can you map a drive to that folder from your desktop? The (original) error message was that the network path isn't found, so I would start by checking the path. Is remotesqlserver the actual name of the server, or a DNS alias? Is the Backup folder shared under the name Backup?

    John

  • In order for me to map a drive to a folder ii have to be able to access that folder and in which case i can't. And the name i'm using is

    \\BRANCHSERVER2\e$\Backup\databasename.bak

    \\BRANCHSERVER2 is that actual name of the server not an alias and the Backup folder is the name of the backup destination folder and the share name

  • Don't use the administrative share. Can you map a drive to \\BRANCHSERVER2\Backup?

    John

  • No i cant. error message displays when i try to access using \\BRANCHSERVER2\Backup

  • That's your answer. There's a problem with the share, nothing to do with SQL Server. Maybe there's a firewall in front of the server? Perhaps the share is set up only to allow a certain number of concurrent connections? If you don't get anywhere on your own with this, you'll need to speak to your Windows admin.

    John

  • You need to create a share on the remote server. The E$ is created by default, but it has administrative permissions. If this was working before, then you have had some permissions/account change.

    Create a share at that folder, assign permissions as needed, and assign the service account for SQL Server. That is the account that is performing and copying the backup. Alternatively, you could use SQL Agent to run the backup locally and copy it to the share, and then SQL Agent's service account needs the permissions.

  • The Backup folder is shared and has all the required Full Control to Everyone as permission. The sqlserver agent Login account is an administrator.

  • Thanks for all the responses.

    This thing is yeah, backup was running fine with no issues till it suddenly stopped. There haven't been any change in account, permmission or anything. Firewall has been the way its been, off on both servers

    I also tried to backup to the same server using the UNC path, i,e \\MAINSERVER\e$\Backup\databasename.bak and it still failed but when i used E:\Backup\databasename.bak it backed up.

  • I think you haven taken the light speed backup.....

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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