SQL Server: backup all databases - sql

Question

I was wondering if there was any way of making a backup of an entire SQL Server (we are using SQL Server 2008) at regular intervals to a specific location. I know we are able to backup single specific databases but for ease of use and not having to set up a backup each time I want a new database, is there a way to do this?
If there is however, I must have a way of restoring just a single database from that server backup easily as though I have backed them up individually.
The method used will just be a pure backup and not a difference so no need to worry about complications.

Answer 1

You can run the following script, just change the #path variable to where you want to store the databases.
DECLARE #name VARCHAR(50) -- database name
DECLARE #path VARCHAR(256) -- path for backup files
DECLARE #fileName VARCHAR(256) -- filename for backup
DECLARE #fileDate VARCHAR(20) -- used for file name
SET #path = 'C:\Backup\'
SELECT #fileDate = CONVERT(VARCHAR(20),GETDATE(),112)
DECLARE db_cursor CURSOR FOR
SELECT name
FROM master.dbo.sysdatabases
WHERE name NOT IN ('master','model','msdb','tempdb')
OPEN db_cursor
FETCH NEXT FROM db_cursor INTO #name
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
SET #fileName = #path + #name + '_' + #fileDate + '.BAK'
BACKUP DATABASE #name TO DISK = #fileName
FETCH NEXT FROM db_cursor INTO #name
END
CLOSE db_cursor
DEALLOCATE db_cursor
Obtained from:
http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/1070/simple-script-to-backup-all-sql-server-databases/

Answer 2

Consider backing up hidden resource database as well
Use master
GO
--enable
sp_configure 'show advanced options'
GO
/* 0 = Disabled , 1 = Enabled */
sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1
GO
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE
GO
--===Resource file details
SELECT 'ResourceDB' AS 'Database Name'
, NAME AS [Database File]
, FILENAME AS [Database File Location]
FROM sys.sysaltfiles
WHERE DBID = 32767
ORDER BY [Database File]
GO
--===Copy resource files
DECLARE #ResDataFile VARCHAR(1000), #ResLogFile VARCHAR(1000)
SELECT
#ResDataFile = CASE NAME WHEN 'Data' THEN FILENAME ELSE #ResDataFile END,
#ResLogFile = CASE NAME WHEN 'Log' THEN FILENAME ELSE #ResLogFile END
FROM sys.sysaltfiles
WHERE DBID = 32767
SELECT #ResDataFile, #ResLogFile
DECLARE #cmd VARCHAR(1000)
--===Copy data file
SELECT #cmd = 'COPY /Y "' + #ResDataFile + '" "G:\SQLBackups"'
--PRINT #cmd
EXEC xp_cmdshell #cmd
--===Copy log file
SELECT #cmd = 'COPY /Y "' + #ResLogFile + '" "G:\SQLBackups"'
--PRINT #cmd
EXEC xp_cmdshell #cmd
GO
--Disable
sp_configure 'show advanced options'
GO
/* 0 = Disabled , 1 = Enabled */
sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 0
GO
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE
GO