SQL Server Restores on Go Daddy Shared Hosting
Summary
The database restore tool is a relatively recent addition to the Go Daddy control panel (July 2007) so you may not be familiar with it. This article provides a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots to show you how to restore your SQL Server database.
Note that the backup file must have been taken from a SQL Server within Go Daddy. You cannot restore a backup file from your own development environment into a shared hosting database.
The Restore Process
The restore process involves SQL Server loading a copy of the database that is stored in a special file. This backup file is in a proprietary format that only SQL Server can read and restore into a database.
The restore process copies the entire schema and data into the target database, with one exception. The exception is the user name and password that you use to log into the database - with the SQL Server Manager or within your application database connection details. If the backup file is from a database with a different user name and password, this does not affect the target database. Continue to use the login details you defined for the target database.
Preparing for Restore
The backup file must be sitting in a directory called _db_backups. This is the directory where a Go Daddy backup process stores the file. If you've moved the file off the server, ftp it back into this directory.
Using the Go Daddy Restore Tool
The restore tool is a relatively recent addition to the Go Daddy control panel (July 2007) so you may not be familiar with it.
Log into your Go Daddy account and open the SQL Server section.
Figure 1. Open SQL Server
The Restore tool is available from the Database Information screen. Use the pencil icon within the SQL Server section to open the Database Information screen.
Figure 2. Open the Database Information Screen
At the top of the configuration screen is a row of icons. The second icon is the Restore tool. Click the Restore icon.
Figure 3. The Restore Tool
The tool will present you with a list of backup files in the backup directory. If you've only made one backup, then you'll just see one file. Select the file you want to restore and proceed.
The Database Information page will change the database status to "Pending Restore ".
Figure 3. Pending Restore
It would be nice if the web page would start flashing and beeping when the restore is complete. Unfortunately, you will have to keep refreshing the page until you see the status change to "Setup".
Figure 4. Restore Completed
Verifying the Restore
Use the Go Daddy Control Panel to open the SQL Server Manager and log into your database. This verifies that the database is usable.
Summary
This article provided a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots to show you how to restore a backup file into a SQL Server database on Go Daddy shared hosting.
Submitted: 10 August 2007
Author: Margaret Cruise O'Brien
(c) M.C.O.B. Technology 2007