Looking for a way to backup your SQL server to the cloud? This article focuses on SQL 2005, but the same procedure will work for any version. With CloudAFS, you can now utilize cloud storage space and providers when executing SQL 2005 backup jobs.

By attaching or “mounting” your cloud storage server, for example your Windows Skydrive account, to your file server using Cloud Attached File Server, or CloudAFS, you’re expanding the capacity of your server infrastructure at a fraction of the cost, and with no modification to your existing system.

For IT professionals, because CloudAFS allows you to publish cloud storage as a network share, the product offers you a powerful advantage when it comes time to schedule and execute SQL 2005 backup jobs.

This article will show you how to redirect SQL 2005 through CloudAFS so that your backups will be stored in the cloud, eliminating the risk of losing data due to a machine failure, or any number of other risks associated with storing or backing up important files locally.

This article assumes you’re already familiar with backing up your files using SQL. In the event that we have a few readers who need a refresher, here’s a screen shot.

· Right-click on the database and select Tasks → Back Up

Now, you’ll have seen a dialogue box with several back up options. Right here is where we’ll stop to understand what CloudAFS is and how it attaches cloud storage to a file server.

With CloudAFS, once your storage provider has been mounted and published, you will have the ability to select your new virtual directory as a network share that is the destination for your SQL 2005 backup, rather than the local path highlighted here.

Mounting and publishing a virtual directory using CloudAFS

*Access our blog post here to read the complete overview of CloudAFS or access the categories of blog posts that contain CloufAFS articles for more detailed information on installing and understanding this CAFS. Lastly, visit our CloudAFS Wiki for a complete guide to CloudAFS solutions.

First, you’ll need to download CloudAFS from the homepage.

After oening the CloudAFS console, follow the instructions to mount, attach, and publish your cloud files to your file server.

To view detailed Wiki walkthrough of these three steps, click here for the CAFS Installation and Configuration article.

Backing up your SQL 2005 databases to cloud storage using CloudAFS

· Now we pick up assuming you’ve mounted and published your CloudAFS folders and files. For this demonstration, I’ve just completed the 3 step process and my Windows Live Skydrive folders are now attached to my file server.

Now, I can access my Windows Skydrive contents stored on my file server by using the share address highlighted above, and opening the files using Windows Explorer.

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Now, we’ll simply use this destination address to map the SQL 2005 backup to be stored in the Skydrive location. Visit http://www.gladinet.com for more information.

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