Q1.)In SQL Server 2000, is it always possible to use copies of the
data and transaction log files of a database from one server to
reattach to a new database on another server, or even to the same
server, without first detaching from the existing database?
Books Online says that detaching a database closes the data and log
files cleanly. I read some where that some times, it is possible to
attach without detaching, if the data and log file are in stable
state.
This is what I tried - Tried to copy Northwind.mdf and ldf files using
windows explorer and it gave an error message that the files are in
use. I shutdown the server and now I could easily copy them. After
that I renamed these files and successfully attached them as a new
database.
Q2.)Is it possible to do the same with large production databases?
Q3.) Please explain what goes on during detaching /attaching process.
Thanks in advance
Ravi