Backup database from code: Access denied on user specific directories

[Robin]

I want to backup a sql express database from my windows forms C# code. I can
do this by running a sql command "BACKUP DATABASE TO..." (or using SMO) and
I can save the backup file to any subdirectories of C:. The problem I have
is that I want the user to be able to save the backup file to any location,
including C:\...documents and settingsm\my documents...

However, the file access for these directories (user specific) are more
limited and the BACKUP DATABASE command fails due to Access Denied.

Should I mess with the ACL to grant NETWORK SERVICE read/write permissions
on the directory they want to save to? I am not very comfortable doing this
as I don't like the idea of changing the ACL security on someone's system.

The simplest solution is for me to restrict where they can save the backup
file (to subdirectory of C:\), but if there are any other solutions, I'd
like to hear them.

Thanks.

 

[Linda Liu [MSFT]]

Hi Robin,

Could you tell me what the OS is on your machine?

In my opinion, it is not a good idea to grant NETWORK SERVICE read/write
permissions on the directory the user wants to save to, because it will
break the access security.

I think the simplest way is to use the try...catch structure to catch the
exception when the user attemps to save the file to a directory that he
doesn't has the corresponding permission.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Linda Liu
Microsoft Online Community Support

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[Robin]

Development is being done on Windows XP. Application is recommended to run
on Windows XP also.

 

[Linda Liu [MSFT]]

Hi Robin,

Thank you for your response.

Then how about my suggestion? Is it appropriate to your practice?

If you need our further assistance, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you for using our MSDN Managed Newsgroup Support Service!

Sincerely,
Linda Liu
Microsoft Online Community Support