# Setting up the database (SQL Server)

> Set up the Cascade CMS database on SQL Server: attach the supplied database and set its isolation level to snapshot.

URL: https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/cascade-administration/installation-and-upgrades/database/sqlserver.html
category: Cascade Administration
article-type: how-to
content-kind: article
release-availability: all
tags: installation, database
updated: 2026-10-06

## Step 1: Download the Cascade CMS database

- Download the [ Cascade CMS database](http://github.com/hannonhill/Cascade-Server-Default-Database/raw/master/cascade_database_sqlserver.zip).
- Unzip the database and place the `cascade.mdf` and `cascade_log.ldf` files in your SQL Server data folder (e.g. `C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\DATA` )

## Step 2: Attach the Cascade CMS database to SQL Server

- Open SQL Server Management Studio. In SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine and then expand that instance.
- Right-click **Databases**, and select **Attach**. The **Attach Databases** dialog box appears.
- To specify the database to be attached, click **Add**. In the **Locate Database Files** dialog box, navigate to the SQL Server data folder into which you just dropped the database files, select `cascade.mdf`, and click **OK**.
- (Optional) To specify a different name for the database to attach as, enter the name in the **Attach as** column of the **Attach database** dialog box.
- (Optional)To change the owner of the database, select a different entry in the **Owner** column.
- Click **OK** to complete the database attachment.

## Step 3: Set the database isolation level to snapshot

Setting the isolation level to 'snapshot' increases performance with Cascade CMS.

Execute the following queries while Cascade CMS is not running and no other connections to the database are open:

```xml
ALTER DATABASE [databaseName] SET ALLOW_SNAPSHOT_ISOLATION ON
```

```xml
ALTER DATABASE [databaseName] SET READ_COMMITTED_SNAPSHOT ON
```

where `[databaseName]` is the name of your Cascade CMS database.

Your SQL Server database is now configured and ready to be used by Cascade CMS.

> **Note**
>
> Support for default Cascade CMS databases has ended. To upgrade to **Cascade CMS 2026.1** or newer, an intermediate step is required. You must first start **Cascade 2025.2.2** against the imported database and ensure the login screen loads without errors. Only after this verification should you proceed with the upgrade to version 2026.1 or later.