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kiwi_canuckFlag for New Zealand

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How to Create a new SQL Instance for Acronis Backup & Recovery Advanced Server SBS Edition

I have purchased Acronis Backup & Recovery Advanced Server SBS Edition and I am trying to install it on my SBS 2003 sever for the purpose of imaging and backing up the server.  By default, Acronis wants to install an instance of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.  I have SQL Server 2005 SP2, so I am thinking it would be better to create a new SQL 2005 Server named instance for Acronis to use, but I don't know anything about setting up SQL.

I started to create a new SQL server 2005 instance by going to Control panel/ Add or Remove programs, selecting Microsoft SQL Server 2005, clicking Change then clicking on the link To install a new component click here.  I was prompted for the CD, then setup started.  Setup prompted for features and options and I don't know what to choose.

Questions:
1.  Is it better to create an SQL server 2005 instance or use SQL express?  Pros/Cons?

2.  If I create a new named instance on SQL Server 2005:
(a)  Which features would an instance for Acronis need?  Choices: SQL Server Database Services, Reporting Services, Client Components, Documentation.

(b)Which Service Account should be used, the built-in system account or a domain user account?

(c)  What Collation Settings should I choose?  Collation designator and sort order, or SQL Collations?   (and what are they anyway!)

(d)  Will I need to apply SP2 to my new instance?

Thank you.
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Raja Jegan R
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This should help you in installation of your Named instance:

http://www.exforsys.com/tutorials/sql-server-2005/installing-a-second-copy-of-sql-server-2005.html

>> 1.  Is it better to create an SQL server 2005 instance or use SQL express?  Pros/Cons?

If you have a licensed version of some other edition then you can go for another instance of that version.
If not then you can go for SQL Express edition.

Pros & Cons involves the limitations of Express edition with respect to your Current edition.
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx?PHPSESSID=0324345d45ef1bf1f764044e03584cd0

>> 2.  If I create a new named instance on SQL Server 2005:
(a)  Which features would an instance for Acronis need?  Choices: SQL Server Database Services, Reporting Services, Client Components, Documentation.

Not used Acronis Backup software but all third party tools use Database Services alone for their storage purposes.

>> (b)Which Service Account should be used, the built-in system account or a domain user account?

Its better to have a domain user account or the user account on which the Acronis backup software is going to run.

>> (c)  What Collation Settings should I choose?  Collation designator and sort order, or SQL Collations?   (and what are they anyway!)

Let it have the default

>> (d)  Will I need to apply SP2 to my new instance?

You can apply SP3 since it is commercially available with many known issues fixed in it.

Hope this helps
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I have seen that link thanks.  The problem I had with the info there is that it tells you what options are available (which is obvious from the menu choices) but not which options to choose and why.

1.  I know I CAN go for another instance of my licensed version, but should I?  Is there any benefit?  Saved disk space?  Faster operation?  If not maybe I should just let Acronis install an instance of the express version rather than try to figure out what options it needs on the licensed version?

2.(a) OK, you think database services only.
(b) OK
(c) OK
(d)  I didn't know SP3 was available, thanks.  But are you saying it is necessary to apply the service pack to make it work?

Thanks.
Cliff
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Raja Jegan R
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Regarding the limitations, does that mean that (a)express won't run on a system with more than 1 GB RAM, or (b) on a system more than 1 GB of RAM, express will only use 1 GB?    Option (a) can't be correct because I already have an instance of express running for Backup Exec.  But I don't see how (b) would work.

I expect the Acronis database will be tiny so the limitations of Express might not be a constraint.  Does anyone know?
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I am asking Acronis tech support what the requirements are and will come back to you.
Fine..
That will help us think about some other requirements if Acronis needs to have..
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I_play_with_DNA

Funny, I'm in the exact same situation.  SBS 2003 with Backup Exec already installed.  SBS comes with SQL 2005 so I want to create a new instance for Acronis (Backup Exec and Sharepoint already have instances) but I have no idea how to create a new one.
After a bit of perseverance, I received the following advice from Acronis Support:
Q: Will Acronis need more than 1GB of RAM?
A: NO.

Q: Will the database Acronis needs exceed 4GB in size?
A: NO.

Q:Would recommend SQL Server 2005, or SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, for installing Acronis?
A: You can select SQL Server 2005 Express Edition. You can specify the Microsoft SQL Server that will be used by Acronis Management Server. You can use Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express that comes with the installation package and installs on the same machine. In this case, an SQL server instance will be created on the machine; Or an already existing Microsoft SQL Server:Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (any edition) previously installed on any machine; Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (any edition) previously installed on any machine& Note: You can quickly find the answers to your questions in Acronis Support Knowledge Base at http://kb.acronis.com/

***
Based on these answers from Acronis Support I think I should use the Express Edition.  Initially I did not want to clutter up my server by installing Express edition when I already had the full version installed.  However, when I learned that to use the full version another instance needed to be installed anyway I thought there really is not much to gain by avoiding the Express Edition.  Furthermore, during the installation of the new instance of the full version I was asked to specify settings I did not understand like Collation Settings.  So if another instance has to be installed anyway, it may as well be an instance of the simpler Express Edition which is installed automatically as part of the Acronis installation wizard.
What do you think Experts?
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>> However, when I learned that to use the full version another instance needed to be installed anyway

Do you really require a New instance for Acronis..
Can't Acronis use the existing instance itself..

Kindly confirm.

If not then request you to install either your Licensed version or Express edition as Named instance and point it to Acronis to handle it out..

>> Furthermore, during the installation of the new instance of the full version I was asked to specify settings I did not understand like Collation Settings.

Leave the Default Collation settings and don't modify it unless you require so..
@rrjegan17:
>>Do you really require a New instance for Acronis..Can't Acronis use the existing instance itself..
I don't think Acronis can use the same instance as another program..  I think that would be like 2 programs sharing the same database?

@I play:
Oh no!  BE and Acronis not compatible?  I have gone this far I might as well try it.   I might have to switch to Symantec's imaging product, Backup Exec System Recovery which apparently works similarly.
@kiwi canuck

I was told by the Acronis tech that that was the case, but I don't necessarily believe him.  He couldn't solve my problem and his solution was for me to remove backup exec.
I'll let you know how I get on.
>> I don't think Acronis can use the same instance as another program

Then you can have 2 Instances as discussed earlier..
I have been snowed under but hope to try the Aronis installation again in the next 2 weeks.
Just let us know once everything is completed successfully.

And don't forget to close this question out after everything is done...
Will do.
My conclusion is I will NOT install Acronis due to the compatibility problem with Backup Exec.  In the future after I have removed Backup Exec, I will install Acronis.  I will let the Acronis installation wizard install an instance of SQL Express Edition because Acronis does not need the grunt of the full version.

I chatted with an Acronis Tech today and asked him about compatibility with Backup Exec, and basically I got the same story as I_play said above.  The tech told me we do not recommend Acronis with any third party backup solution installed on the same machine.  I asked if it would work, or not.  He said We cannot commit on this as it might create conflicts.  When I asked what type of conflicts he said There are no conflicts which are pre-defined, it could be driver conflict while installing, schedule backup errors, BSOD etc..  Needless to say I wasn't to keen to install Acronis after hearing about possible BSOD.  

He said However, if you use Acronis bootable CD you would not face any such issue. 

He offered me a refund (which you can get within 30 days of purchase).

In the end I decided to keep Acronis.  He sent me a link to an image of the Acronis Bootable CD.  I will use that for my imaging, and eventually I will likely uninstall Backup Exec and use Acronis for both imaging and backups.  The new De-duplication feature sounds promising.

I am sure installing the Express edition will work fine for Acronis, but I won't be trying it for a few months.  I will close this question and update it later when I try it.
Thanks.
Cliff


Fine..
Kindly revert later on as required..