Step 1: Download and install the appropriate sample project (e.g., SqlServerSamples.msi for SQL Server 2005 SP2, or AdventureWorks 2008R2 Analysis Services Project.zip for SQL Server 2008R2)
The ascmd utility is included as a part of the sample project. You need to download the proper sample project first (for 2005 SP2, 2008 and 2008 R2). I have the R2 samples installed in F:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Samples\Analysis Services\Administrator\ascmd
Step 2: Generate a strong name key file
- Open a Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 command prompt as below:
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, point to Visual Studio Tools and then click Visual Studio Command Prompt.
- Use the change directory command (CD) to change the current directory of the command prompt window to the folder where the samples are installed.
Note:If the default installation location was used, the samples are located in:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Samples
At the command prompt, run the following command to generate the key file: sn -k SampleKey.snk
Step 3 - Build the ascmd.exe utility
After generating the strong name key file, build the sample using the following instructions.In Visual Studio, From the File | Open menu, click Project and open the solution file ascmd.sln.From the Build menu, click Build ASCMD. The ascmd.exe file is created now!
Step 4 - to test the ascmd.exe utility (note the . between -S and -i)F:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Samples\Analysis Services\Administrator\ascmd\CS\ascmd\bin\Debug\ascmd -S . -i d:\backupMD.xmla(I have created a backupMD.xmla file as below to backup the Adventure Works DW 2008R2 database to the D drive)
In SQL Server 2012, this old-fashion command can be replaced by the Revoke-ASCmd commandlet in PowerShell.
