vRanger 7.8.6 - Installation/Upgrade Guide

Database options

The database deployment occurs during the initial installation of vRanger. The default installs a SQL Server® Express database on the vRanger server. You can also install vRanger using a separate SQL Server instance. If you intend to use your own SQL Server instance and want to use the vRanger cataloging feature, the SQL Server instance must be installed on the vRanger server. For more information, see Installing the databases.

NOTE: While the embedded SQL Server Express database is free and simple to install, there is a size limit of 10 GB per database.

IMPORTANT: For a list of supported SQL Server database versions, see System requirements and compatibility.

Installing the databases

When installing vRanger, consider the database selection carefully as migrating from a SQL Server® Express installation to an external SQL Server database carries a risk of corrupting application data.

If you do not intend to use cataloging, to provide the most flexibility, Quest recommends that you install vRanger using an external SQL Server database server. This step allows you to relocate the vRanger installation simply by installing the application in another location, and pointing the Install Wizard to the existing database.

Sizing the catalog database

The vRanger catalog process collects and records metadata and path information for files updated since the last backup and catalog entry. Depending on the number of VMs protected, and the number of files in each VM, the catalog database may grow rapidly.

Actual database growth varies depending on the Guest OS and the number of files changed between backups, but the following information can be used as an approximate guide.

NOTE: Many Windows® files are not cataloged due to filtering; for more information about catalog filtering, see the Quest vRanger User’s Guide. An amount of data equal to a standard Windows Server® 2012 installation results in a larger catalog footprint.

Installing the vRanger virtual appliance (VA)

The vRanger VA can process backup and restore tasks in addition to replication tasks. This setup allows you to scale backup, restore, and replication activity across multiple hosts or clusters, while maintaining central scheduling and reporting control from a single vRanger server.

While the deployment and configuration of the VA are covered in the Quest vRanger User’s Guide, the following information might help you understand the usage of the VA.