Backing up a system's database

You can back up a system's database when necessary or set up a regularly scheduled time for PowerSchool SMS to do it automatically. The backup process results in a static copy of the database in a location of your choosing. Allow up to an hour for the backup process. Once a backup is underway, you can check on its progress or set up automatic notification of its success or failure.

To back up a system's data:

[You can do this if your role is District Administrator.DA]

In the Start menu click Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Enterprise Manager.

In the left pane, locate the name of the system's database server.

Open Management, then SQL Server Agent, then Jobs.

In the right pane, right-click "[Your Database's Name] backup" and in the menu click Start Job. Enterprise Manager starts backing up your data.

To schedule a backup rather than run it immediately, click Schedules, then New Schedules.

To set the location of the backup, in the right pane, right-click "[Your Database's Name] Backup" and in the menu click Properties. Click Steps, then Edit.... In the Edit Job Step dialog, specify a location [Figure 164].

To check on the progress of the backup process:

[You can do this if your role is District Administrator.DA]

In the Start menu click Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Enterprise Manager.

In the left pane, locate the name of the system's database server.

Open Management, then SQL Server Agent.

Right-click Jobs and in the menu click Refresh.

In the Status column, view the status of the backup process.

For a scheduled backup, you can also view the time of the last backup and the scheduled time for the next.

To set up an automatic notification of a backup success or failure:

Set up an operator to receive the notification:

In the Start menu click Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Enterprise Manager.

In the left pane, locate the name of the system's database server.

Open Management, then SQL Server Agent.

Right-click Operators and in the menu click New Operator.

For Name, specify an operator or computer name.

In the Net Send Address, specify the name of the computer to which you want notifications sent.

Click Test to send a test message.

When Enterprise Manager displays a message, click OK.

Click OK.

Set up a notification:

In the Start menu click Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Enterprise Manager.

In the left pane, locate the name of the system's database server.

Open Management, then SQL Server Agent.

In the right pane, right-click "[Your Database's Name] backup" and in the menu click Properties.

Click Notification.

Select the Net Send Operator check box and choose one of the operator's you set up in step 1.

Choose the condition that triggers a notification. Your choices include:

When the job succeeds

When the job fails

Whenever the job completes

Click OK.