Network Management

How to Backup your database for the SolarWinds Platform

This article covers creating a backup of the SolarWinds Platform SQL database through SQL Management Studio.

First published date

11/13/2018 10:31 PM

Last published date

10/9/2025 8:22 PM

Overview

This article describes the process of backing up the SolarWinds Platform database. This task is often performed before making any significant change on the platform. Therefore, all information is retained in the database and should be protected. It is advised to take regular backups of your SolarWinds database to ensure your data is saved from corruption or other unforeseeable issues.

Product section

Orion Platform

Resolution

To ensure the safety and recoverability of your SolarWinds Platform data, you can back up your database either manually or by scheduling automated backups. The steps below under section How to Manually Backup your Database first guide you through performing a manual backup using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which is recommended before making significant changes or as part of your regular maintenance routine. If you prefer to automate this process, you can schedule regular database backups using SQL Server Agent jobs. See section How to schedule a database backup operation.

This approach allows you to choose between a one-time manual backup and a recurring, automated backup process, depending on your organization's needs and best practices.

How to Manually Backup your Database

  1. First, you will need to connect to your database server using SQL Server Management Studio. We will backup the "SolarWindsOrion" database to our "F:\backup" folder in this example. Once connected to your database server, you will need to browse your database in the left window pane of Management Studio. 
  2. Right-click on your database, and under "Tasks," choose "Back Up…."

 

  1. A new window will open where we will configure where to save the database backup file. You will want to ensure that the “Backup type” is set to “Full” to get a full backup of your database. Now, highlight the Destination file that is already in the list by clicking on it, and clicking “Remove“.

 

 

  1. Now, Click “Add…” to specify where to save the backup file.
  2. A window will pop up, asking you where to save the backup file. Enter a location of your choice.
  3. Now, we have to make sure that the backup you are creating overwrites all existing backup sets, as appending it to an existing set can cause conflicts when attempting to perform a restore. On the left-hand side of the window, click on ‘Options‘, and then click on ‘Overwrite all existing backup sets.

  1. Once this option is in place, all that is left to do is to run the backup! Click “OK” to begin the database backup.



 

  1. If the database backed up successfully and you'll receive a message indicating so.

 

How to Schedule a Database Backup Operation

  1. Complete the steps outlined above in the section How to Manually Backup your Database
  2. Refer to Step 9-13 onwards in article to schedule a database backup operation by using SQL Server Management Studio.