Can we restore SQL Server 2008R2 backup on SQL Server 2014?

Question

Currently, one of our product running on the SQL Server 2008R2.

For new installation client want to go for SQL Serer 2014 because at this location Microsoft is not selling licence for the SQL Server 2008R2.

Answer 1

In SQL Server 2014, you can restore a user database from a database backup that was created by using SQL Server 2005 or a later version . However, backups of master, model and msdb that were created by using SQL Server 2005 through SQL Server 2012 cannot be restored by SQL Server 2014. Also, backups created in SQL Server 2014 cannot be restored by any earlier version of SQL Server.

Source

Answer 2

Yes.

Wen you restore database backup that created with older version of SQL Server in to new version, SQL Server automatically updated your database in new version. But don't change compatibility level of your database. You can change Compatibility level of your database after restore complete by following query :

ALTER DATABASE test SET COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL = 120

Answer 3

In SQL Server 2014 SP1 there are breaking changes to the restoreheader definition (3 new fields added). If you use it, you should have a look at this thread: breaking changes to SQL Server 2014 SP1 - restoreheader