Using the Microsoft SQL Server Database Restore Wizard

When you run the Microsoft SQL Server Database Restore wizard, Veeam Backup & Replication automatically extracts a Microsoft SQL Server database from the storage snapshot and opens it in Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server.

As part of this procedure, Veeam Backup & Replication performs the following actions:

1. [For snapshots created by a snapshot-only job with VSS]: Veeam Backup & Replication opens the database in Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server.
2. Veeam Backup & Replication creates a clone/virtual copy of the storage snapshot and mounts the clone/virtual copy to an ESXi host.
3. Veeam Backup & Replication accesses the configuration file of the virtualized Microsoft SQL Server (VMX) on the snapshot clone/virtual copy and uses this configuration file to register a temporary VM on the ESXi host.
4. Veeam Backup & Replication mounts disks of the Microsoft SQL Server to the temporary VM.
5. Veeam Backup & Replication locates a Microsoft SQL Server database and attaches the content database to a staging Microsoft SQL Server. As a staging server, Veeam Backup & Replication uses the Microsoft SQL Server on which the Veeam Backup & Replication configuration database is deployed.
6. [For snapshots created in other ways than by a snapshot-only job with VSS]:  Veeam Backup & Replication opens the database in Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server.

Before you restore Microsoft SQL Server databases from the storage snapshot, check prerequisites. Then use the Microsoft SQL Server Database Restore wizard to restore Microsoft SQL Server databases.

1. Launch the Microsoft SQL Server Database Restore wizard
2. Select a VM
3. Select a restore point
4. Select an ESXi host for snapshot mounting
5. Specify a restore reason
6. Open the database in Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL