How to migrate from sql server 2008 to 2012? - sql-server

I am facing an issue of migrating from 2008 sql server to 2012 sql server.
I am seeing two methods of migration in-house and parallel ones which one is better and how to do?

It is better to migrate to PostgreSQL.:) otherwise, i guess always better to make pure sql dump (in sql server management studio chose command in context menu Generate scripts, where choose structure and data) and simply execute it on new database

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Using the same database on different versions of SQL Server

We have several SQL Server databases at work and we plan to keep all of them in a Database Server. However, while we use SQL Server 2014 in some of the databases, there is also a database (let's say ABC) with the version of SQL Server 2008 R2.
The problem is that; ABC is a database originated from another company and sometimes it is updated by them using scripts, etc. So, this means that we have to go together with the version they use. As far as I know, it is possible to restore a database of version 2008 R2 in the version of 2014 but the reverse operation is not possible (to restore a database of version 2014 in the version of 2008 R2).
So, in that case what is the best way to solve this problem by using the single database (SQL Server 2014) on the same server?
You can generate database from the 2014, 2008 compatible. You can dig into the advanced option and you will find creating scripts for triggers, indexes and all dependent objects.
Generate Scripts
Choose Compatibility
Specify Data generating scripts
The server could be 2014.
You just need get SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) version 2008 and generate backup using it.
You could have lots of SSMS versions.

SQL Server 2014 backup to 2012

Are there any tools to convert SQL Server 2014 database to 2012?
I tried Generate Script but the generated script with data is too large and SQL Server Management Studio did not execute it, I need to have both schema and data.
To my knowledge, there are basically three two options for migrating a database to a lower version of SQL Server, without using 3rd party tools:
Generate Scripts (not really suitable for large amounts of data)
Custom Scripting and BCP or Import/Export Wizard
SQL Server Integration Services (Transfer Database Task)
First option is not suitable in your case, as noted.
Second option is to simply script the structure of the database, and then use the Import/Export Wizard to copy the data, one table at a time. Note, that if you have foreign key constraints in your database, you might want to disable the constraints until after you have populated all your tables with data. This blog post explains in details how this can be done.
Third option uses the SISS Transfer Database Task which basically uses SMO to create the objects on the destination server and then transfers the data. This is the recommended way of migrating a database between SQL Server instances of different versions. SSIS requires that you have installed SQL Server Data Tools - Business Intelligence (SSDT-BI) for Visual Studio. Before SQL Server 2012, this was called Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS). You can download these here:
Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools - Business Intelligence for Visual Studio 2013
Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools - Business Intelligence for Visual Studio 2012
If you don't have Visual Studio, SSDT-BI / BIDS is included in the SQL Server installation.
Use the script, but instead of executing it trough Management Studio, use the lightweight sqlcmd utility.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/es-es/library/ms162773.aspx
Oh well, Dan's second option does not work: after installing SSDT-BI for VS2013 and configuring the Database Transfer Task it says that the version of the source database instance has to be lower or equal to the version of the destination database instance: so, a migration from 2014 to 2012 (or in my case 2008R2) is not possible.

Proper way to Import data from Access to SQL Server?

I'm asking for the proper way, in SQL Server's T-SQL (I think that's what it is) code or using another language, to import data from a Microsoft Access MDB Database into a new SQL Server Database.
Now, typically I would just import it in. The problem is I'm writing a .SQL script (I could use another technology if needed) to do all this leg work as this will need to be done fairly regularly. Likely at least once a week, for about 5 months in the year.
To digress a tad, I had wanted to implement a single database and distinguish separate source database using something like a DatabaseID field, but the powers that be overthrew me there.
I was previously using SQL Server Management Studio 2012 with SQL Server 2008 running the T-SQL (on a production machine) that worked fine. I've now migrated to a local SQL Server Management Studio 2012 with SQL Server 2012 (for development) and the code that used to work doesn't anymore.
This code is what used to work: SELECT * INTO [dbo].[Controls] FROM OpenDataSource('Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0', 'Data Source=C:\Show.mdb; Jet OLEDB:Database Password=BobSaget')...[Control] The password has been obfuscated for security ...
That's likely a sloppy solution. What's the ideal way?
Thanks in advance!
I would recommend using Microsoft's SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access.
SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) is a free supported tool from Microsoft that simplifies database migration process from Access to SQL Server. SSMA for Access automates conversion of Microsoft Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads the objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Microsoft Access to SQL Server.
SSMA for Access v5.2 is designed to support migration from Microsoft Access 97 and higher to all editions of SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, and SQL Azure.
You can find it here.
You may need to fix the structure after the migration as it tends to over exaggerate many of the data types.
Have you checked your DCOM security on MSDAINITIALIZE?
I had this problem when moving to a local instance of SSMS 2012.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dataaccesstechnologies/archive/2011/09/28/troubleshooting-cannot-create-an-instance-of-ole-db-provider.aspx

How can I get a SQL Server 2005 compatible backup from SQL Server 2008 database?

I have a sql server 2008 db, I want to restore its backup to a 2005 version. Is there any way for this work?
Note: I can't make a script from my db and run it.
No. It is not possible to restore a database from a backup of a newer version.
The only solution I have come accross is generating a script, but it seems that you do not want to use this
Unfortunately, SQL Server has never supported this - and still doesn't :-(
There is no way you can create a backup in a newer version and restore it in a previous version - and this goes from SQL Server 4.2 all the way through 2008 R2.
All you can do is either create scripts and run them on the target server, or use tools like SQL Compare and SQL Data Compare to compare the two databases and update the target database from the source (basically, what these tools do is create and execute the necessary scripts in the background, so you won't have to fiddle and create those scripts yourself)

Is SQL Server 2008 compatible with 2005?

I have a problem with my website. When I publish my site on server, I got an error message:
The database '----------------------------.MDF' cannot be opened because it is version 655. This server supports version 611 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.
What can I do about this?
You can't push a 2008 mdf file into a 2005 server. It just won't work. The problem is that sql 2005 has no idea what features you may have used in the 2008 database which doesn't exist under 2005.
Your only real option is to:
1. Create a blank database on the sql 2005 server.
2. Script your tables, views, procs, functions, etc from the 2008 server.
3. Run that script on the 2005 server.
IF you used some advanced features, then the 2005 server will not be able to run the script. Fix what you have to.
Yes... in SQL 2008, generate scripts for your DDL and DML; the vast majority of the scripts will be compatible, but you may need to make the odd tweak to accommodate SQL 2005.
Upload and run on your SQL 2005 instance...
There maybe a number of 3rd party tools that can aid you, particularly to generate the insert statements.
If your DB is particularly large, you might want to is SSIS to move the data across.

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