Compare databases on unconnected SQL Server instances

If you need to compare databases on unconnected SQL Server instances, you can do it by creating either a snapshot or scripts folder from the required databases.

Compare databases on unconnected SQL servers using a snapshot

1. Create a snapshot of a database you want to compare.

2. In the New Schema Comparison Wizard, use one of the following options:

  • Create a project that compares the snapshot with a database.
  • Create a project that compares the snapshot with another snapshot, or with a scripts folder.

3. Configure and then run the comparison on the project.

4. Configure synchronization options and run the synchronization.

Note

  • When a snapshot is selected as the target, you can select to overwrite it after synchronization.

  • When a snapshot is selected as the source, and a database as a target, the synchronization script can be executed directly against the target database.

Compare databases on unconnected SQL servers using a scripts folder

1. Create a scripts folder from a database\databases you want to compare.

2. In the New Schema Comparison Wizard, use one of the following options:

  • Create a project that compares the scripts folder with a database.
  • Create a project that compares the scripts folder with another scripts folder.

3. Configure and then run the comparison on the project.

4. Configure synchronization options and run the synchronization.

Note

  • When comparing and synchronizing scripts folders either as a target or a source, a synchronization script is created. It can be saved to a file or opened in an internal browser.
  • When a scripts folder is selected as a source, you can select to execute the synchronization script directly target database.
  • When a scripts folder is selected as a target, you can select to update the scripts folder after synchronization.