Perform a database backup by using database tools

Performing regular database backups is crucial for maintaining data integrity and ensuring business continuity in case of any unexpected issues. In the context of administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions, there are various database tools available that make the backup process efficient and straightforward. In this article, we will explore some of these tools and learn how to perform a database backup.

Azure Portal:

The Azure Portal provides a user-friendly interface to manage Azure SQL databases. To perform a database backup using the portal, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the Azure Portal (portal.azure.com) using your credentials.
2. Navigate to the SQL databases section.
3. Select the desired database from the list.
4. In the left-hand menu, click on “Export” under the “Settings” section.
5. Specify the necessary details for the backup, such as storage account, container, and database authentication.
6. Click on the “OK” button to initiate the backup process.

Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Commands:

T-SQL commands provide a powerful way to manage Azure SQL databases programmatically. Here’s an example of performing a database backup using T-SQL:

-- Connect to the SQL Server instance
USE master;
GO

-- Create a database backup
BACKUP DATABASE [YourDatabaseName]
TO URL = 'https://yourstorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/yourcontainer/yourbackupfilename.bak'
WITH CREDENTIAL = 'YourCredentialName';
GO

Replace [YourDatabaseName] with the name of your database, https://yourstorageaccount.blob.core.windows.net/yourcontainer/yourbackupfilename.bak with the appropriate storage account URL, and 'YourCredentialName' with the name of the credential set up for accessing the storage account.

Azure PowerShell:

Azure PowerShell offers a comprehensive set of tools to manage Azure resources, including Azure SQL databases. To perform a database backup using Azure PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Install the Azure PowerShell module if you haven’t already.
2. Open Azure PowerShell and connect to your Azure account using the following command:

Connect-AzAccount

3. Run the following script to create a database backup:

$storageAccountName = "YourStorageAccountName"
$resourceGroupName = "YourResourceGroupName"
$serverName = "YourAzureSqlServerName"
$databaseName = "YourDatabaseName"
$containerName = "YourContainerName"
$backupName = "YourBackupName"

$creds = (Get-AzStorageAccountKey -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -AccountName $storageAccountName).Value[0]
$context = New-AzStorageContext -StorageAccountName $storageAccountName -StorageAccountKey $creds
Start-AzSqlDatabaseExport -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroupName -ServerName $serverName -DatabaseName $databaseName -StorageKeytype StorageAccessKey -StorageKey $creds -StorageUri https://$storageAccountName.blob.core.windows.net/$containerName/$backupName.bak

Make sure to replace the placeholders with your actual storage account name, resource group name, server name, database name, container name, and backup name.

By utilizing the capabilities of Azure Portal, Transact-SQL commands, and Azure PowerShell, you can easily perform database backups for your Azure SQL Solutions. Regular backups ensure that your data is protected against unforeseen events and enable quick recovery if needed.