restore SQL 2008 DB R2 to SQL2008 (no r2)

Question

on my developper pc is installed SQL 2008 R2
on the internal server is installed SQL 2008 R2 (some applications are hosted here)
on the external 3.rd party hosti

Answer 1

You have to export/import using the wizard in SSMS. Or use some 3rd party tool (eg Red Gate)

There is NO downgrade option using attach/detach or backup/restore. And no magic setting.

Answer 2

I'm afraid its been that way since SQL 6.5 / 7. In general there is no downgrade path except the following: Script out the stucture and other objects as explain in another post here then create a new database on a instance with the lower build / version number (R2 is SQL 10.5, 2088 is 10.0) You can then use SSIS or once again get SSMS (Managemenet studio) to script insert statements for the data (you'll need to do in order of forign key dependancies and remember to SET INDENTITYINSERT [table] ON and then off again at the end of each table insert if you have an identity columns. You can use INSERT INTO 2008Inst.2008dbName.dbo.Table (col1, ...) SELECT (col1, ...) FROM 2008R2Inst.2008dbName.dbo.Table to get the actual data accross

Answer 3

There is no simple property that you can switch to be able to restore to older versions. You might try this, in Management Studio:

• Select your source Database
• Select Tasks>Generate Scripts.
• Select 'Script entire database and all database objects', press 'Next'
• Select 'Save to File' and click on the 'Advanced' button
• Select 'Script for Server Version' and select the version you want: 2000/2005/2008
• Select 'Type of data to Script' and select Schema/Data/both
• Click 'OK',Next and do it!
• Copy the resulting file to the target machine.
• Log onto your SQL Management Studio and open the copied .sql file...

It's likely to work if you have a small database. For a larger one you will run into limitations.