MS SQL Manager

This tab contains identifying and usage information for your database.  If you have multiple databases associated with your account, you can select the relevant database from the "SQL Database" dropdown menu.

Database Information

In addition to the Server Name, Database Name, Database Space (storage quota), Database Login and SQL Usage Meter, you will see a sample connection string that contains the information needed to connect to your database from a script or application.  Simply replace "******" with your actual password in the connection string.

By default your database password is the same as your Control Panel password.  You can change the password in the "Login Manager" tab.

Login Manager

In addition to the default user created when you set up the database, you can create 3 additional database users.  Simply enter the login name and password under "Add a new MS SQL #### Login."

Note: All SQL usernames must be unique.  All additional SQL Logins that are created in SQL Login Manager must be unique to the SQL Server Instance that hosts your database addon.  If another user who shares the SQL Server instance with you was able to create a particular additional SQL Login, then you will not be able to create the SQL Login because it has the same name.

You may also change the password of your default user (or any additional users) by clicking the "change password" link associated with the user you wish to change.

It's important to note that adding a user here is only the first step.   Read this Knowledge Base article for details on giving your newly created users the proper permissions to access to your database.

If you need to create more than 3 database users, please create them as contained database users.

SQL Tool Suite

Create A Backup

This tool creates a real-time backup of your SQL database and copies the file to your _database directory.  The file will be named: [DBNAME]_backup.bak or [DBNAME]_backup.zip, depending on the backup format that you choose.

We recommend using the zip format for backups that you are archiving, as the file size is considerably smaller than the bak file, so your downloading and storage requirements will be much less.  If you are making a backup for rollback purposes (for example, before making a change to your database), use the bak format.

You can only save one copy of each format of database backup in your site (1 zip and 1 bak).

The .bak format database backup is intended for restoration on our database server.  Though technically possible, we cannot provide support for restoring a database backup from your own SQL server.

Restore From Backup

This tool allows you to restore a database backup (generated by the Backup Database Tool) to your database.

Note that a zip file cannot be uploaded and used to restore your database, and that all existing data in the database will be overwritten when you use this tool!

Follow the steps below to restore a database:

1. Upload a .bak file generated by the Backup Database Tool to your web site.
2. Log in to the MS SQL Manager in your control panel.
3. Navigate to the "SQL Tools" menu.
4. Select the database you want to restore the .bak file to.
5. Enter the path to the .bak file. For example, \_database\backup.bak
6. Click the "Restore Backup" button.

Attach Data File

This tool allows you to attach a local SQL database or local SQL Express data file to the SQL database hosted on our server.

Note: all existing data in the database will be overwritten!

Note: To connect to an MS SQL database you must use the SQL Server Management Studio.

Follow the steps below to attach a database:

1. Detach the local SQL database. There are various ways to do this:
   • Using VS.NET/Visual Web Developer:
     • Right click on the database icon in the Solution Explorer
     • Select "Detach"
   • Using SQL Management studio:
     • Open SQL Management Studio
     • Expand the database node
     • Right click on the database you want to upload/attach to our SQL server
     • Select Tasks -> Detach
2. Upload the database file (.mdf) to your web site.
3. Log in to the MS SQL Manager in your control panel and navigate to the SQL Tools tab.
4. Select the database you want to attach the MDF file to.
5. Input the path to the .mdf file. For example, \club.mdf
6. Click the "Attach Database" button.

Reset Database

This tool allows you to drop and recreate your database.  It will recreate it using the same database name and the same primary database user name.

Note the following:

1. The primary database username password will be reset to match the current hosting account password.
2. All data, DB objects, and custom permissions on the database will be lost and reset to its default state.
3. 01234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789 All additional database users will have to reassigned its proper roles.   Please refer to this knowledge base article: How to assign additional SQL logins to your database.

Shrink Database

This tool shrinks the data file to help customers reduce their SQL disk space usage.  It is recommended that you run this tool when your database size grown to 80% of the allotted size.  We do not recommend running this tool more than once a day.

Did you know that our Website Cloud Backup service can also back up your database?  You have full control over backup retention and schedule. Automate your backups now with Website Cloud Backup.