Access the SQL virtual database Help While the Release Ntes prvide yu with the mst current infrmatin regarding SQL virtual database, the main Help gives yu the detail yu need t understand SQL virtual database and hw it helps yu access data and bjects frm yur backup files. Yu can use the main SQL virtual database Help t: Cnfigure yur deplyment Create a virtual database Use yur virtual database Updated: 3/15/2012 11:42 AM
What is SQL virtual database? Idera SQL virtual database (SQLvdb) is a pwerful ne-f-a-kind slutin that lets yu attach SQL Server backup files and query them like real databases. With its revlutinary, patent-pending technlgy, yu gain instant access t critical data in a backup file withut spending the time and strage previusly required fr restre. In minutes, yu can create a virtual database and then use any native SQL Server r third party tls t query and extract the data yu need. Features Virtual recvery Prvides instant, feature-rich access t all data frm within SQLsafe backup and native SQL Server backup files. Pint-in-time selectin Prvides pint-in-time selectin and recvery, allwing granular cntrl ver the state f the data displayed in the virtual database. Native SQL Server and third-party applicatin access Use existing SQL Server tls such as SQL Server Management Studi and third-party applicatins t interact with the new virtual database as thugh it were an actual physical database. Intuitive Cnsle Allws virtual databases t be quickly and easily created, edited, r remved. N impact t prductin servers Installs t a single nn-critical server and attaches all virtual databases t a single SQL Server instance.
Hw des it help me? Database administratrs are ften asked t recver a backup in rder t recver bjects and data, cmpare tw systems, r run a reprt. Previusly, the nly way t d this is t restre the database, a cnsuming activity that requires time and strage. SQL virtual database lets yu create a virtual database that appears t SQL Server and third-party applicatins as a physical database. This virtual database prvides direct access t the data withut a restre. This direct access greatly reduces the time required fr data recvery,increases yur prductivity, and reduces resurce requirements. With SQL virtual database, yu can: Eliminate lng restre times Access a backup file and retrieve the bjects r data yu need immediately Save massive amunts f strage Execute any query Use backups fr reprting, data extractin, data analysis, and mre Take the lad ff yur prductin servers and experience zer impact n prductin databases Access full, differential, and transactin lg backup files made by Idera SQLsafe and SQL Server
Hw des it wrk? SQL virtual database is driven by a unique, patent-pending recvery technlgy that makes backup files behave like regular physical databases. This technlgy allws yu t create virtual databases by directly attaching backup files t SQL Server withut requiring a restre peratin. Each virtual database is hsted by the SQL Server instance yu specify. All bjects and data in the virtual databases are accessible t SQL Server jbs and stred prcedures, T-SQL scripts, and ther third-party applicatins. The SQLvdb Engine, which cnsists f a driver and a service, manages the virtual database and services the SQL Server I/O requests t the virtual data files. As the SQLvdb Engine attaches yur selected backup files and creates the virtual database, it cnslidates all the transactins and presents them t SQL Server fr recvery. During this prcess, SQL virtual database "maps" the data frm the backup files. If the data has already been "mapped", such as thrugh SQLsafe r the Map Generatin utility, then SQL virtual database prceeds t the virtual database creatin.yu can create a virtual database by attaching specific data sets frm multiple full, differential, and transactin lg backups. Yu can then use the SQLvdb Cnsle, r any ther third-party tl, t perfrm queries against specific virtual databases r simply check the status f yur virtual databases. Fr mre infrmatin, see ur instructins n hw t use yur virtual database, as well as tips and tricks. The prduct features, such as the virtual database creatin, are als available thrugh the SQLvdb CLI. Fr mre infrmatin, see the prduct cmpnent descriptins. Hw des SQL virtual database wrk with SQLsafe? SQL virtual database seamlessly cnverts SQLsafe backup files int virtual databases. Yu can use SQL virtual database with any backup file generated by SQLsafe 5.0 r later. Fr mre infrmatin, see the prduct requirements. When yu attach a backup file previusly created by SQLsafe 5.0, the SQLvdb Engine perfrms the same steps as it des with the native SQL Server backup. T ptimize perfrmance fr large databases, use the Map Generatin utility t generate the required metadata befre attaching the backup files. With SQLsafe 6.0 r later, yu can cnfigure yur backup peratin t autmatically generate the metadata. By default, this ptin is enabled when yu perfrm a new manual backup r define a new backup plicy. Fr mre infrmatin, see the SQLsafe Help. What virtual data files are created? Fr each virtual database yu create, several files are als created t supprt the new virtual database. These virtual data files are: File Descriptin Lcatin Can yu mve it? When is it deleted? *.xbm *.xcm *.xdm *.xtm Files that the SQvdb Driver creates t map the data in the selected backup files. In the same flder where yu stre yur backup files. N. Mving these files will cause errrs when yu attempt t access the virtual database. Never... After yu have retrieved the data yu need frm the virtual database, yu can use the grm feature t delete unused data files, manually delete these files, r schedule a jb t peridically grm ld files. *.lcf *.mcf *.ncf Files that the SQLvdb Service creates when reading changed In the VDB/Sparse flder under N, but yu can specify a new lcatin... When the virtual database is remved (drpped) frm the SQL Server instance.
File Descriptin Lcatin Can yu mve it? When is it deleted? pages frm the transactin lg fr the selected backup files. the Prgram Files directry n the client cmputer. Mving these files when the virtual database is attached will cause errrs when yu attempt t access its data. T chse a different lcatin fr these files, delete yur virtual databases, and then specify a new directry path. When yu create the next virtual database, the SQLvdb Engine will use the new path. *.lxf *.mxf *.nxf Virtualized versins f the.lcf and.mcf files assciated with the selected backup set. Nne... These files are placehlders fr SQL Server. N, these files d nt exist n yur disk. When the virtual database is remved (drpped) frm the SQL Server instance. *.vdb An XML file that cntains the cnfiguratin infrmatin fr the virtual database. In the Repsitry flder under the Prgram Files directry n the client cmputer. N. Mving these files will cause errrs when yu attempt t access the virtual database. When the virtual database is remved (drpped) frm the SQL Server instance. Hw much disk space shuld I allcate fr the virtual data files? The amunt f disk space cnsumed by the virtual data files depends n the size and cntent f yur backup files. Fr mre infrmatin, see the recmmended disk space allcatins. TIP The size fr these files may display incrrectly in tls such as Management Studi. T see the crrect size, use Windws Explrer t navigate t the file and then view the file prperties.
Find answers using this dcumentatin This dcumentatin set includes a cmprehensive nline Help system as well as additinal resurces that supprt yu as yu install and use the prduct. Yu can als search the Idera Slutins knwledge base, available at the Idera Custmer Service Prtal (www.idera.cm/supprt).
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Help System This Help system can be accessed either thrugh the Help menu r by pressing F1 n yur keybard while n the windw yu wuld like mre infrmatin. T search fr tpics that explain the specific infrmatin yu need, select the Search tab, type in the keywrd in the space prvided, and click List Tpics fr a list f all the tpics that cntain the keywrd yu entered. Hw d I print the Help? 1. Select the tp-level nde in the table f cntents and click the Print buttn. 2. Check the Print the selected heading and all subtpics bx t pen yur print dialg.
Dcument cnventins Idera dcumentatin uses cnsistent cnventins t help yu identify items thrughut the printed nline library. Cnventin Bld Italics Fixed Fnt Straight brackets, as in [value] Curly braces, as in {value} Lgical OR, as in value 1 value 2 Specifies Windw items Bk and CD titles Variable names New terms File and directry names Cmmands and cde examples Text typed by yu Optinal cmmand parameters Required cmmand parameters Exclusively cmmand parameters where nly ne f the ptins can be specified
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1.6 Release Ntes SQL virtual database helps yu quickly and easily access data and bjects frm yur backup files withut perfrming cstly restre peratins r impacting yur prductin servers. Review issues fixed by this build See knwn issues Learn abut key new features in this release
New features and fixed issues SQL virtual database 1.6 prvides the fllwing new features and fixed issues. 1.6 new features There are n new features in SQL virtual database 1.6. 1.6 fixed issues Users n lnger receive an errr when attempting t read r write t memry using a SQLsafe-generated backup file. This issue was a rare ccurrence. SQLvdb nw allws yu t have multiple munts using the same encrypted backup file as the surce. SQL Server n lnger generates an errr message resulting frm SQL Server 2000 partially-cmpleted virtual lg files returning with n data. Users wh have SQL Server 2000 databases cntaining multiple lg files n lnger receive an incrrect virtual lg file number used by SQLvdb as an index t the lg file arrays.
Previus features and fixed issues This build includes many fixed issues, including the fllwing previus updates. 1.5 fixed issue The Attach Multiple Backups wizard nw allws yu t select multiple lg files withut frcing the use f the mst clselyrelated full backup file. Yu can select an apprpriate full backup file, and then freely select frm the ther available lg files that are part f the same LSN chain. 1.4 Service Pack 1 A backup f a virtual database can nw be successfully restred r used t create anther virtual database. The Map Generatin utility nw crrectly generates virtual data files fr native backups f SQL Server 2008 instances. The SQLvdb prductin license nw allws yu 14 days t activate the license key befre it expires. SQLvdb nw crrectly handles page validatin when creating virtual databases. 1.4 Build 44 The SQL virtual database Map Generatin utility nw supprts cmpressed native backups f SQL Server 2008 databases. 1.4 This release cntains the fllwing fixed issues: The SQLvdb Engine hw crrectly detects and handles nn-data pages, such as pages cntaining full-text data, when attaching and searching backup files. Yu can nw create a virtual database frm a full backup and multiple transactin lg backups that belng t an unbrken LSN chain, even when additinal full backups were perfrmed during the same time frame as the transactin lg backups. 1.3 This release cntains the fllwing fixed issue: SQLvdb nw successfully attaches a backup file that had been created when the target database was grwing. This issue was mst likely t ccur when the transactins that caused the database grwth affected a GAM page. Fr mre infrmatin abut GAM pages and database grwth, see SQL Server Bks Online. 1.2 This release cntains the fllwing fixed issue: When creating virtual databases, the SQLvdb Engine nw crrectly handles: any LOP_BUF_WRITE transactins in the selected backup files timeut errrs when creating r accessing the virtual data files 1.1 Build 1118 This build cntains the fllwing fixed issue: The SQLvdb cnfiguratin files are nw encrypted.
1.1 This release cntains the fllwing fixed issues: This build prvides imprved perfrmance and greater stability when creating and querying virtual databases. Yu can nw delete a previusly attached virtual database using the Cnsle r CLI. Yu can nw use an LSN (lg sequence number) range t specify a pint in time when attaching transactin lg backups thrugh either the Cnsle r the CLI. The SQLvdb Cnsle nw displays the full filename f the selected backup when prmpting fr the encryptin passwrd. SQL virtual database nw prvides imprved descriptins fr events written t the applicatin event lgs.
Knwn issues Idera strives t ensure ur prducts prvide quality slutins fr yur SQL Server needs. The fllwing knwn issues are described in this sectin. If yu need further assistance with any issue, please cntact Supprt (www.idera.cm/supprt). Installatin and cnfiguratin cnsideratins Virtual SQL Server supprt Yu can nw deply SQL virtual database t virtual SQL Server instances lcated n the ndes f a Windws 2003 r Windws 2008 Server Cluster. Windws Server 2000 supprt Yu cannt install SQL virtual database n cmputers running Windws Server 2000. Fr mre infrmatin, see the prduct requirements. TSM supprt SQL virtual database des nt supprt attaching backup files written t a Trivli Strage Manager (TSM) device. Hwever, yu can extract the data files t disk, and then attach the cpied data files. Knwn issues in versin 1.6 There are n new knwn issues. Previus knwn issues Attaching backup files lcated n mapped drives Yu cannt attach a backup file lcated n a mapped drive r a hard drive that is nt mapped t an admin share. T avid this issue, specify the full UNC path (\\servername\sharename) instead f the drive letter. Attaching file r filegrup backups Yu cannt attach file r filegrup backups. Fr mre infrmatin abut which backup types are supprted, see the prduct requirements. Fr mre infrmatin abut file and filegrup backups, see SQL Server Bks Online. Attaching SQLsafe backup files frm versin 4.9 r earlier SQL virtual database supprts backup files created by SQLsafe versin 5.0 and later. Attaching a backup file created by SQLsafe 4.9 r earlier will result in an errr. Creating a virtual database that cntains a large number f transactins SQL virtual database may require mre time t create a virtual database when the selected backup files cntain a large number f transactins. Because yu can select full, differential, and multiple transactin lg backups, a significant number f transactins may need t be recvered befre the virtual database can be created. This issue is mre likely t ccur if the crrespnding physical database incurred transactins during the backup peratin. Fr mre infrmatin abut virtual database creatin, see hw SQL virtual database wrks. Full-text catalg supprt SQL virtual database des nt supprt the SQL Server full text catalg feature. Althugh yu can create a virtual database that has full text catalg enabled, yu cannt use this functin when accessing the data. Mdifying yur virtual database
Mdifying the virtual database, such as executing write statements t specific tables in the virtual database, may cause errrs. Slw perfrmance when attaching backup files frm a netwrk share Yu may experience slwer perfrmance when attempting t attach a large SQLsafe backup file lcated n a netwrk share. Slw perfrmance when attaching backup files that cntain multiple data sets Yu may experience slwer perfrmance when attaching backup files that cntain multiple data sets. This issue is mre cmmn when attaching SQL Server backups. Query running DBCC CHECKDB cmmand returns errr When running a query that attempt t execute a DBCC CHECKDB cmmand n a virtual database, yu may receive an errr. T reslve this issue, use the tablck ptin, as in dbcc CHECKDB with tablck. This ptin lcks the tables instead f the internal database snapsht. Fr mre infrmatin, see Micrsft SQL Server Bks Online. Restring a backup f a virtual database After yu restre a backup f a virtual database, yu must change the extensins f all assciated data files t the default SQL Server extensins (such as.mdf,.ndf, and.ldf). Otherwise, yu will experience incmpatibility issues with that database. Autgrwth settings are nt preserved in virtual databases (10440) SQL Server 2008 supprt limitatins Yu cannt create virtual databases frm backup files fr SQL Server 2008 databases that cntain data sets fr databases that use FILESTREAM t manage unstructured data.
Recmmended Idera Slutins Idera strives t ensure ur prducts prvide quality slutins fr yur database needs. Idera Slutins have been recently added t the knwledge base at ur Custmer Service Prtal (www.idera.cm/supprt). Slutin Number Slutin Title 4012 Errr "There is already an bject named 'sysnsbjs' in the database." when attempting t munt a SQL 2000 master database nt a 2005 instance 4019 Why des lading a striped native SQL backup take significantly lnger than lading frm a single file?