1. Process Overview The SQL database backup and replication procedure involves several steps both on the source machine and on the target machine. Detailed examples are given below. The process involves backing up the source SQL database to a file, replicating the file to a target machine, and then, if a live SQL server is required on the target machine, restoring the database on the target SQL server.

The backup file is being replicated to a target machine (RDS Satellite) using RDS. The whole process of stopping the SQL server, backing it up and re-starting the SQL server is performed automatically on the source machine (RDS Controller) using an RDS pre- replication-command . Using this process, if the backup fails for some reason, the replication will not be performed, keeping the target system with the last successful SQL backup. Once the backup file reaches its destination, the backup file needs to be restored to the target SQL database.

Here too, the process is automated using the RDS post-replication- command , on the target machine (RDS Satellite). The batch file will take care of stopping the target SQL server, restoring the backup file and re-starting the target SQL server. This distinct process, using RDS as the platform to backup-transfer-restore the SQL database, enables complete automation and easy monitoring of the whole operation.