Schema compare allows you to compare and synchronize the database filegroups, including the filegroup data files. Database log files are not supported. Comparing filegroups is not that different from other database objects. You start by selecting the object type "Filegroup" under the comparison options:
Selecting the filegroup option adds the filegroup category in the comparison grid. Clicking on the plus sign to the left of a filegroup allows you to view the data files that belong to the filegroup. When you choose to synchronize the filegroups, the path of the filegroup data file must exist on the target machine. You can change the path and filename of a data file in the comparison grid as follows:
- Expand the filegroup that you wish to change
- Click on the data file in the comparison grid and enter the new filename in the Filename column
You can also exclude filegroups or specific data files, similar to other database objects. Excluded items will not be synchronized.
The following restrictions apply to filegroup synchronization:
- Filegroups can only be added to the database. They cannot be altered or removed.
- Data files are only added to the new filegroups. Data files on existing filegroups are not modified.
- SQL Server does not support transactional execution of the SQL statements for filegroups and data files, which means that changes to the filegroup structure cannot be rolled back.