Database Mirroring step by step

Database Mirroring step by step

Step 1

Create MirrorDB in the source database (called as Principal database), for which we are going to start mirroring.

Step 2 

Create a backup of the MirrorDB in the source SQL Server (Principal database) & restore it in the destination server with the same name. Make sure to restore the database with NORECOVERY. The destination server MirrorDB is called as Mirror database.

  

Step 3

As shown in the below screen, right click on the database, select properties & select Mirroring. Select Configure Security to configure mirroring for the required database.
Follow the screen shots as given below.

 Note that here I do not have a Witness server, & hence select “NO” for include Witness server option.
  
 

 
Step 4
Select the Mirror Server Instance as shown below & click connect. Here we have to specify the destination, i.e. Mirror database server’s credentials to connect.
 
Step 5
Leave service accounts for both Principal & Mirror blank, follow the remaining screen shots.



Step 6 
Click on Start Mirroring to start the mirroring from Principal database to Mirror database.
  
Step 7

As you can see in the below screen shot, the status is, the databases are fully Synchronized.

Step 8 
The MirrorDB in the source server is now marked as Principal, Synchronized.


Step 9 
The MirrorDB in the destination server is now marked as Mirror, Synchronized (Restoring)


Step 10

You can do manual failover as shown below, by selecting Failover option.


Step 11

The Principal database is now changed to Mirror & the Mirror is changed to Principal as shown in the below screen shots.


Mirroring is a simple process & if failed we can easily reset it up, by restoring the latest backup of the source in the destination & reconfigure Mirroring.