Introduction

Database recovery is crucial for maintaining data integrity and business continuity in enterprise environments. Microsoft SQL Server (MS SQL) databases are widely used for their scalability, reliability, and performance, making efficient recovery solutions essential to prevent data loss and minimize downtime.

With X Cloud, you can securely restore your MS SQL databases, whether recovering to a new instance or overwriting an existing database. This guide covers:

✅ Restoring an MS SQL database via the X Cloud Desktop Application
✅ Downloading an MS SQL database via the X Cloud Web Console

Supported MS SQL Server Versions

✔ MS SQL Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022

Restoring an MS SQL Database via X Cloud Desktop Application

X Cloud allows users to restore data to a new database or overwrite an existing one. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the X Cloud Desktop Application

• Click the Restore option from the Dashboard.

Step 2: Select the MS SQL Database Option

• In the Restore window, select MS SQL Database.

Step 3: Choose the Database to Restore

• From the list of available databases, select the one you wish to restore.
• Click the Timeline option to restore a version from a specific date and time.

Step 4: Configure Restore Settings & Start Restoration

• Set the restore options as required.
• Click Next to begin the restoration.

Downloading an MS SQL Database via X Cloud Web Console

Users can download an MS SQL backup via the X Cloud Web Console and import it into Microsoft SQL Management Studio by following these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to X Cloud Web Console

• Log into the X Cloud Web Console where your MS SQL backup is stored.

Step 2: Navigate to the Discover Page

• Locate and click the MS SQL button in the left-side panel.

Step 3: Select the Backup to Download

• Expand the database tree by clicking the + button.
• Click the Download button next to the required backup.
• Available backups:
  ✔ Full Backup (.bak) – Can be restored independently.
  ✔ Differential Backup (.dif) – Requires Full and Differential backups for successful restoration.
  ✔ Transaction Log Backup (.tlog) – Requires Full, Differential, and Transaction Log backups.

💡 Tip: After downloading, store the backup files in an easily accessible folder for smooth import into SQL Management Studio.

Restoring an MS SQL Database via Microsoft SQL Management Studio

Step 4: Launch MS SQL Management Studio

• Open MS SQL Management Studio and right-click Databases in the left-side panel.
• Select Restore Database… to open the restore window.

Step 5: Choose the Backup File

• Under Source, select Device and click Browse.
• Click Add to select the downloaded .bak, .dif, or .tlog backup files.

Step 6: Locate and Select the Backup File

• In the Locate Backup File window:
  ✔ Ensure All Files is selected in the file type drop-down menu.
  ✔ Navigate to the folder containing the downloaded backups.
  ✔ Select the required backup and click OK.

Step 7: Configure Restore Options

• After selecting backup files, a new window will display:
  ✔ Backup date and size
  ✔ Destination details

• To overwrite an existing MS SQL database:
  ✔ Go to Options on the left panel.
  ✔ Select Overwrite the existing database.
  ✔ Enable Take tail-log backup before restore.

Step 8: Start the Restoration

• Click OK to begin the restoration process.

⚠ Important: Ensure that the database is not in use during restoration. If the database is active, the process will fail with an error message.