Upgrading SQL Server for TeamCity database
We have a need to upgrade the MS-SqlServer instance on our TeamCity server for another reason from 2012 to, say , 2017. Just trying to determine the steps to ensure that we can retain our TeamCity database contents across this upgrade. I can certainly do a backup from the TeamCity admin console to a file. And I can certainly back up the TeamCity database from the SQL Server Mgt Studio to a file.
It has been a while since I did a SQL Server upgrade. I would expect that any existing databases would remain intact. If not, I could restore them from backups made. I'm hoping that either of these would be sufficient and that I would be able to restart TeamCity after the upgrade. Or, would I need to restore the backup done on the TeamCity admin console as well? I'm assuming that the SQL Server upgrade would leave any existing databases in place and not "upgrade" them.
Has anyone done this before? I'm just looking to establish a plan for doing this before I start the process. Would love to hear anyone's experiences.
Thanks in advance.
Roy
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Hello Roy!
Yes, as far as I can see, MS SQL Server upgrade should not affect the databases themselves anyhow (even the compatibility level will be the same unless you upgrade the DB itself afterwards - see https://www.mytecbits.com/microsoft/sql-server/upgrade-sql-server-and-database). Still, as an extra precaution, you can back the DB up either by means of admin console / SSMS, or by using the TeamCity backup functionality (with only database selected as scope of backup).
After the upgrade is over, please check if you can access the DB - if you can, most likely TeamCity will also be able to do so. You don`t have to restore the DB if connection was established successfully after TeamCity server start (if not, TeamCity will throw a critical exception on the UI).
Hope this helps; please do not hesitate to reach out if there are any other questions.
Thanks very much for the response.