How to back up and restore Microsoft SQL Server using Hyper Data Protector and NetBak PC Agent?

HDP (for Virtual Machines)

1. Add the hypervisor hosting the Microsoft SQL Server to the HDP inventory.
2. Create a backup job.
3. Configure the backup settings.
4. Start the backup job.
   For detailed instructions, see Using Hyper Data Protector to Back Up Hypervisors to a QNAP NAS.

NetBak PC Agent (for Physical Servers)

1. Create a repository to store your backup data on your NAS.
2. Create a backup job.
3. Configure the backup settings.
4. Start the backup job.
   For detailed instructions, see NetBak PC Agent Quick Start Guide.

Depending on your server environment, you can use HDP to restore your virtual machine to a hypervisor or use NetBak PC Agent to restore your physical server with a USB boot drive. 

HDP (for Virtual Machines)

1. Create a restore job.
2. Select the source to restore. 
3. Configure the restore settings.
4. Start the restore process.
   For detailed instructions, see Using Hyper Data Protector to Back Up Hypervisors to a QNAP NAS.

NetBak PC Agent (for Physical Servers)

1. Create a USB boot drive. 
2. Insert the USB boot drive into your server. 
3. Configure the BIOS boot order. 
4. Follow the Restore Wizard to restore your server.
   For detailed instructions, see the NetBak PC Agent Quick Start Guide.

To restore your Microsoft SQL database to a precise point in time using .mdf and .ldf files, follow the steps below. 

1. View database file paths.
   1. Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
   2. Complete the fields in the Connect to Server dialog box if it appears. For instructions, see this tutorial.
      If SSMS automatically connects to your desired server, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, go to Object Explorer > Connect > Database Engine to connect manually.
   3. In the Object Explorer pane, expand Databases. 
   4. Right-click the database you want to restore.
   5. Click Properties.
      The Database Properties dialog box appears. 
   6. Click Files on the left panel to view file paths.
      
2. Download database files.
   1. Open Backup Explorer in HDP.
   2. Select the database version you want to restore.
   3. Locate and download the .mdf and .ldf files to the desired restore destination.
      For detailed instructions, see How do I restore files to my Windows PC or server with HDP Backup Explorer?.
3. Configure file permissions.
   1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
   2. Run the following command twice, once for the .mdf file and once for the .ldffile.

      icacls File_Path /grant MSSQLSERVER:(F)

      • First, replace File_Path with the .mdf file path obtained in the "View database file paths" section.
      • Then, replace File_Path with the .ldf file path obtained in the "View database file paths" section.
4. Attach the database.
   1. Run the following command to open the SQL command-line interface. 

      sqlcmd -S localhost

   2. Run the following SQL.

      USE [master]
      GO
      CREATE DATABASE [Database_Name] ON
      ( FILENAME = N'Disk:\Path\File_Name.mdf' ),
      ( FILENAME = N'Disk:\Path\File_Name.ldf' )
      FOR ATTACH
      GO

   3. Replace the following placeholders.
      • [Database_Name] with your database name.
      • Disk:\Path\File_Name.mdf with the .mdf file path obtained in the "View database file paths" section. 
      • Disk:\Path\File_Name.ldf with the .ldf file path obtained in the "View database file paths" section.
   4. The image below shows the typical output after executing the command.
      
      Once completed, your database will be restored and available for use.