Copy data between two server instances - sql

Question

I want something like :
insert into server2.database1.table1 select * from server1.database1.table1
both tables are exactly the same.
how can I Copy data between two server instances?

Answer 1

SQL - Linked Server
If both servers are SQL Server, you can set up Linked servers - I would suggest using an SQL account for security there.
Then you can simply perform
insert into server2.database1.dbo.table1
select * from server1.database1.dbo.table1 where col1 = 'X'
If you run the query in SQL Management studio connected to server1, and current database set to database1, you won't need the prefix
server1.database1.dbo.
Also, the linked server would be configured on server1, to connect to server2 (rather than the other way around).
If you have the correct OLE DB drivers, this method can also work between different types of RDBMS (ie. non-SQL Server ones).
Open Query
Note: Beware not to rely on linked servers too much especially for filtering, and for joins across servers, as they require data to be read in full to the originating RDBMS before any conditions can be applied. Many complications can arise from Linked Servers, so read up before you embark, as even version differences might cause headaches.
I recommend you use the OPENQUERY command for SQL Servers to get around such limitations. Here's an example, but you should find help specific to your needs through further research:
insert into server2.database1.dbo.table1
select * from OPENQUERY(server1, 'select * from database1.dbo.table1 where col1 = ''X''');
The above code is more efficient, filtering the data on the source server (and using available indexes), before pumping the data through, saving bandwidth/time/resources of both the source and destination servers.
(Also note the double quote '', is an escape sequence to produce a single quote.)
SQL - Temporarily on the same server
Would enable (note the underscore):
insert into server2_database1.dbo.table1
select * from database1.dbo.table1
Still within the SQL query domain. If you can temporarily move the database on server2 to server1, then you won't need the linked server. A rename of the database would appear to be required while co-locating on server1. Achieving such co-location could use various methods, I suggest shrinking database files before proceeding with either:
Backup/Restore - Backup on server2, Restore on server1 (with different name) - perform insert as described above, but without the server1 or server2 prefixes. Then reverse - backup on server1, restore on server2/
Detach/Attach - Rename database, Detach on server2, (compress), copy files to server 1, (decompress), attach on server1, perform insert. Then reverse...
In either case, SQL Server version could be a barrier. If server1 is of a lower SQL version, then both backup and detach/attach methods will likely fail. This can be worked around by moving the server1 database to server2, which may or may not be more suitible.
Other Methods
May be suitable, non-SQL/TSQL method failing favorable environmental factors for previously mentioned methods. And if you have the correct access (OLE DB Drivers, etc..), this method can also work between different types of RDBMS (ie. non-SQL Server ones), and data-sources (such as XML, flatfiles, Excel Spreadsheets...)
SSIS Explicitly with Business Development Management Studio - direct datapump or using delimited file intermeditary.
SSIS Implicitly through SQL Management Studio, by right clicking the database1 on server1 > Tasks > Export, then completing the wizard. May work direct to server2, or using a flat-file intermeditary.
.Net Programming with SqlBulkInsert (I believe the SSIS datapump uses such an object), I can go into more detail about this, if it interests you.
Eg. of SQLBulkInsert (psedo-C# code)
SqlConnection c = new SqlConnection("connectionStringForServer1Database1Here");
SqlConnection c2 = new SqlConnection("connectionStringForServer2Database1Here");
c.Open();
SqlCommand cm = new SqlCommand(c);
cm.CommandText = "select * from table1;";
using (SqlDataReader reader = cm.ExecuteReader())
{
using (SqlBulkInsert bc = new SqlBulkInsert(c))
{
c2.Open();
bc.DestinationTable = "table1";
bc.WriteToServer(reader);
}
}
Pretty cool huh? If speed/efficiency is a concern - SqlBulkInsert based approaches (Such as SSIS) are the best.
Update - Modifying the destination table
If you need to update the destination table, I recommend that you:
Write to a staging table on the destination database (a temporary table, or proper table which you truncate before and after process), the latter is preferable. The former may be your only choice if you don't have CREATE TABLE rights. You can perform the transfer using any one of the above options.
Run a MERGE INTO command as per your requirements from the staging table to the destination table. This can Insert, Update and Delete as required very efficiently.
Such a whole process could be enhanced with a sliding window (changes since last checked), only taking recently changed rows in the source an applying to the destination, this complicates the process, so you should at least accomplish the simpler one first. After completing a sliding window version, you could run the full-update one periodically to ensure there are no errors in the sliding window.

Answer 2

To copy data between two different servers you have several options:
Use linked servers.
Use the data import export wizard.
Use a third party tool such as Red Gate SQL Data Compare.

Answer 3

Similar to Todd C# SqlBulkCopy
Generally this is easier than creating linked servers.
Create a unit test and run the below, if you have triggers then be careful and you will need ALTER permissions.
[Test]
public void BulkCopy()
{
var fromConnectionString = #"fromConnectionString";
var destinationConnectionString = #"destConnectionString2";
using (var testConnection = new SqlConnection(fromConnectionString))
{
testConnection.Open();
var command = new SqlCommand("select * from MyTable;", testConnection);
using (var reader = command.ExecuteReader())
{
using (var destinationConnection = new SqlConnection(destinationConnectionString))
{
using (var bc = new SqlBulkCopy(destinationConnection))
{
destinationConnection.Open();
bc.DestinationTableName = "dbo.MyTable";
bc.WriteToServer(reader);
}
}
}
}
}
}

Answer 4

The best way to do this would be to create a "linked server".
And then you can use below statement into your insert statement in order to define your table
[linkedserver].databasename.dbo.tablename

Answer 5

On Server A add a linked server (B)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188279.aspx
Then you can transfer data between the two.
Export table data from one SQL Server to another
HTH

Answer 6

First You need to add the server
Eg. Server 1 and Server 2
sp_addlinkedserver 'Server-2'
then copy your data from that server to your server by using following query
In Server-1 Write
select * INTO Employee_Master_bkp
FROM [Server-2].[DB_Live].[dbo].[Employee_Master]

Answer 7

If you need an alternative without using Linked Servers, my favorite option is use the command line BCP utility.
With this bulk copy tool, you can export the data to a flat file, copy the file across the network and import it (load it) onto the target server.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/bcp-utility