We frequently get asked by users who initially have Hydro GeoAnalyst (HGA) projects on their local machines how they can move the project onto a server so other users can have access. An HGA project consists of two things – the project files and the database. Both need to be moved a central location to allow others to access the project. You can move both the project files and the database to the same central server or you might have to move them to two different servers – one that’s running the central SQL Server and one that’s a central file server. Either way – the process is the same.
Within HGA you can create a backup of your project database by selecting Database > Backup Database.
Browse to a folder to create the backup (*.bak) making sure it is on the local machine as you cannot create backups across the network. You also have the handy feature of including the project files so you have a copy of all the files that need to be moved.
Once you have moved the files to the destination server(s) you then have two options for restoring the project.
Restore Using HGA
- Select Project > Open from Backup.
- Select the .BAK file (ensure this is on the same machine where the SQL Server is running – as you cannot restore a backup across the network).
- Select the *.HGA file.
- The project name and database name should be populated – but you can change this if you like.
- Select the destination SQL Server.
- You can select to use Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication.
- Select OK to restore your project.
Restore Using SQL Server Management Studio
- Within Management Studio connect to the destination SQL Server.
- Right-click on Databases and select Restore Database.
- Select Device option.
- Select … to browse to your SQL Server backup file.
- Select OK to restore the database.
- Finally, you will need to manually edit the *.HGA file to contain the new SQL Server information. The file is a simple text file – an example is shown below. The DataSource is the name of the SQL Server (and instance) the Database is the database name and the Name is the project name.
Please note – it is imperative that you have appropriate permissions to perform the above steps. Consider speaking to your IT Help to ensure you have appropriate permission both to the file server location and the SQL Server.