SQL Express, Backup Exec & 2003 Server

[pinkpanther56]

I'm not sure where to post this so i'm hoping there will be people here that use all three on 2003 server.

We're looking at using Symantec Backup Exec on our 2003 servers and i noticed that it seems to need SQL server to store the logs. Can it be installed with a different DB like Arcserve which can use it's own Db for samll setups or SQL for large installs?

Can anyone tell me if it needs to install an instance on each server or can one server hold the SQL 2005 server and all backup servers send info to that?

Also does BE provide a way to backup this SQL service or do we need to purchace a SQL agent? (at massive extra cost no doubt)

Thanks.

 

[Spirit]

It actually comes with MSDE, which can be a pain to get installed if you complex passwords but thats easily sorted. Apart from that its fine and what I've been using since forever......

I've never tried using sql express but I would check on the symantec website for specific's.

I don't think there's any need to use full blown SQL unless its already available.

Iain

 

[pinkpanther56]

Version 11d that i'm trying comes with SQL Express 2005 which i'm pretty sure is the new MDSE 2005.
This is the version where i'm not sure if it will allow remote connections.

Thanks.

 

[Spirit]

You can do it either way.

Host 1 Sql DB for all BE servers or have each BE server running the DB.

The option is yours. Pro's and cons are self explinitary;
1 host = 1 instance of SQL, 1 place to admin, 1 sever o/head etc.

Cons, if that one server goes down no access to the catalogues, jobs etc.

Multihost, lots of addition memory & processor time being used.
One server goes down the others will still happily backup/restore etc. merrily

I used SQL Express to run my GFI DB sometime ago which worked fine. Its more of a 2GB limit on DB's I think but you'd have to check the MS KB for specifics.

Iain
The SQL DB can create its own backups which you save as if they're normal files so no sql agent is necessary for this sort of DB. IMHO!

 

[pinkpanther56]

Ah excellent i didn't want to have a SQL instance running on each DC, but as i haven't used MSDE before i wasn't sure if this was an option.

Can you give me an idea how i can schedule a Db backup to run before our tape backup? I have SQL management studio express if that's required which i notice will perform manual backups.

Thanks.