Specifications

Registering a Data-Tier Application CHAPTER 3 55
NOTE Throughout this chapter, you can also use Windows PowerShell scripts in con-
junction with data-tier applications to do many of the tasks discussed, such as
Creating data-tier applications.
Creating server objects.
Loading DAC packages from a le.
Upgrading data-tier applications.
Deleting data-tier applications.
If you are interested in learning more about building Windows PowerShell scripts for
data-tier applications, you can nd more information in the white paperData-tier
Applications in SQL Server 2008 R2” at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=183214.
Registering a Data-Tier Application
There may be situations in which a database administrator needs to create a data-tier applica-
tion based on an existing database and then register and store the newly created DAC deni-
tion for the database in the msdb system database. This execution, often referred to as creat-
ing a DAC in place, is achieved by using either the Register Data-Tier Application Wizard or
Windows PowerShell. Unlike the Extract Data-Tier Application Wizard, which creates a .dacpac
le from an existing database, the Register Data-Tier Application Wizard creates a DAC in place
by registering the DAC denition and metadata in the msdb system database. A DAC registra-
tion can be performed only on a Database Engine instance running SQL Server 2008 R2.
Use the following steps to register a data-tier application from an existing database by us-
ing the Register Data-Tier Application Wizard in Management Studio:
1. In Object Explorer, connect to a SQL Server instance containing the database you want
to register as a data-tier application.
2. Expand the SQL Server instance, and then expand the Databases folder.
3. Invoke the Register Data-Tier Application Wizard by right-clicking the desired data-
base, selecting Tasks, and then selecting Register As Data-Tier Application.
4. Review the information on the Introduction page, and then click Next to begin the
registration process. Select the Do Not Show This Page Again check box if you do not
want the Introduction page displayed in the future when using the wizard.