Alternatives to snapshot functionality, SQL Server Standard

Question

For testing purposes I would like to reset a complete database to a certain state (data and structure). I would like to do this automated. Preferably a command line instruction before I start my tests.

After some searching I discovered that SQL Server offers an great solution for this. Snapshots. After writing a test query I discovered that the standard edition of SQL Server does NOT support this. :-(

Given the fact that I want this to be automated: what are my options? Overwriting the data files immediately doesn't sound like a good option to me...

Some other information:

• Windows 7
• Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition (64-bit), 10.50.1600.1
• Database size is app. 1 gigabyte
• This is only meant for testing. So the database is NOT used by other users when I'm returning to my 'snapshot'.
• More information about snapshots:
  • http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190677.aspx
  • This page also states that the standard edition does not support this. :-(

Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Detach the MDF file, copy it somewhere, re-attach it.

When you want to reset the database, detatch the MDF, copy the old one over the top, and re-attach it.

Alternatively backup and restore.

Answer 2

I homebrewed a solution like this because I wasn't happy with the way replication was running (and I was also using standard edition) - maybe my solution will lead you in the right direction:

http://trycatchfinally.net/2009/09/moving-a-sql-server-database-to-another-server-on-a-schedule-without-using-replication/

Basically, it takes a periodic backup, zips it, FTPs it somewhere, and the remote server checks for new files, extracts them, restores them, and then emails you to let you know a new replica has been restored.