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Also you should always backup before migrating.
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Also you should always backup before migrating.

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I'd recommend following the guide. It's the best way not to run into any trouble.
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I'd recommend following the guide. It's the best way not to run into any trouble.

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I am migrating our 2003 Windows Server with 2008 SQL Server to Windows 2012 Server with SQL 2012.<br />
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What is the easiest way to migrate the database over? &nbsp;Should I backup and then restore to the 2012?
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I am migrating our 2003 Windows Server with 2008 SQL Server to Windows 2012 Server with SQL 2012.

What is the easiest way to migrate the database over?  Should I backup and then restore to the 2012?

migrate 2003 server/2008 SQL to 2012 server/2012 SQL

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning. Major improvements include the  Always On technologies and support for unstructured data types.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Microsoft SQL Server is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.SQL Server is available in multiple versions, typically identified by release year, and versions are subdivided into editions to distinguish between product functionality. Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning.

Microsoft SQL Server

Windows Server 2012 is the server version of Windows 8 and the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2012 is the first version of Windows Server to have no support for Itanium-based computers since Windows NT 4.0. Windows Server 2012, now in its second release (Windows Server 2012 Release 2) includes Foundation, Essentials, Standard and Datacenter, and does not support IA-32 or IA-64 processors.