BACK UP SQL SERVER TO BOX
SQL Backup Master makes it easy to automate SQL Server database backups to the Box cloud storage environment. This tutorial walks through the complete configuration – from connecting to SQL Server through running and verifying your first backup to Box.
Prerequisites
You'll need a Box account before configuring the backup job. If you don't have one yet, visit Box.com, select the Get Started tab from the top navigation, choose an appropriate service tier, and provide the necessary personal or business details to complete account registration. You'll also need SQL Backup Master installed on a Windows host that can reach your SQL Server instance.
Step 1: Create a backup job and connect to SQL Server
Within SQL Backup Master, open the backup management area and select New Backup. In the Database Backup Editor, click Choose SQL Server to open the connection dialog.
Enter your SQL Server instance name in the Server name field. Common formats include:
- (local)\SQLExpress – Default SQL Express named instance on your local computer
- (local) – Local SQL Server installation without an instance name
- Server1\SQLExpress – Default SQL Express named instance on a remote computer called "Server1"
- Server1 – Unnamed SQL Server instance on a remote computer called "Server1"
Tip: Use the dropdown arrow in the Server name field to discover local and remote SQL Server instances automatically.
Click Test SQL Connection to verify connectivity, then select OK.
Step 2: Select the databases to back up
After a successful connection, the Database Backup Editor displays available databases under the Source column. Select the databases you'd like to include in this backup job.
Tip: Enable Back up all non-system databases to automatically capture newly created databases going forward.
Step 3: Add a Box backup destination
Under the Destinations header in the Database Backup Editor, click Add. A window listing all available backup destinations appears. Double-click Box to select it.
In the Box Destination Settings window, click Authorize Now and authenticate via the browser window that opens. Copy the authorization code provided, return to SQL Backup Master, paste it into the Authorization Code field, and select OK.
Use the Test button to confirm the connection succeeds. Click OK to finalize the destination settings, then save the backup job using the save icon in the Database Backup Editor.
Step 4: Schedule the backup job (optional)
SQL Backup Master can run backup jobs automatically on a recurring schedule, keeping your Box backups current without manual intervention. Configure a schedule from within the backup job editor, choosing a recurrence that matches how frequently your data changes.
Step 5: Run the backup job and verify
Locate your backup job in SQL Backup Master's main window and click Back up now to begin backing up your databases to Box. If the job doesn't complete successfully, review the job log for error details.
That's it – your SQL Server databases now back up to Box, protected off-site and available for recovery whenever you need them.