Automatically Backing Up a SQL Database

1. Review the documentation and recommendations provided by your backup provider or backup solution.
2. Tell your data backup provider or certified operating system and networking technician the SQL server instance and database name. For information about finding your SQL server instance and database name, go to Determining Your SQL Database Server & Name. Additionally, tell your provider or technician to backup the audit database if you are using version 10.0 or above.
   SQL databases cannot be treated like other files within Windows. SQL databases require such specialized software as SQL Server Management Studio or Veritas Backup Exec with Agent for Applications and Databases to ensure a complete and valid backup. Copying a SQL database without using specialized SQL database management software will cause irreparable damage to the database.
3. Tell your data backup provider or certified operating system and networking technician where your DATA folder is located. For information about finding your DATA folder, go to Determining the Location of Your DATA Folder.
   The DATA folder contains such files as eDocuments, electronic claims, etc. These files reside outside of your SQL databases and do not require specialized software to perform a backup.
   
   If you are storing eDocuments or electronic claims in a location other than the DATA folder, ensure that you also navigate to the location of these documents and back them up.