Generate Scripts in SQL Server (big files)

Question

I am in process of moving my database from SQL Server 2012 to SQL Server 2008. Since I can't just restore them like if I was moving from 2008 to 2012 I have to use generate scripts for data and schemas.

Problem is I have some HUGE database files. One of the files generate becomes 19gb. There does not seem to be any way to move this file because I think the size itself makes the file corrupt. I cant open the file in the SQL Server Management Studio and even using the .bat script it fails (it just freezes). My other tables I have no problem with but they are much much smaller.

What could fix this would be if there was a way to split the data up in several files like each file is 100mb or whatever, then I could make a script that would execute them all, but is this possible?

If not what do you guys suggest?

Answer 1

I would suggest you create a database with the same name in SQL Server 2008 (and possibly tables) and try to do a replication between the two database with SQL Server 2008 as the subscriber, just once should do

Answer 2

If you have the ability, you could also try creating a linked server entry on the 2008 box that points to the 2012 one. Then, you can use the four part fully qualified name ( server.database.schema.table ) to SELECT the rows from the 2012 instance and INSERT them into the 2008 instance.