There are several factors that determine how to install and maintain the SQL Server instance hosting QAComplete (ALMComplete) databases (named SoftwarePlanner). Here are just a few of them:
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The number of users who will be working in QAComplete (ALMComplete) on a given day.
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The presence of other databases on the servers.
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Your company network policy.
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The physical resources upon which the SQL Server instance will reside.
The databases themselves can be maintained differently due to the data they store:
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The SoftwarePlanner database is the primary database of the application. This database includes all product data, traceability, security permissions, and other settings.
You should implement a backup strategy that best meets your organizations expectations regarding data loss for this critical database.
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The SoftwarePlannerWS database stores Performance Logs and Database Logs each time the psWS web service is invoked. A nightly differential backup for this database may be sufficient, but this should be determined by your internal organization. Since this data is historical, quotas and a job could be used to "flush" the data when the database reaches a certain size.
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The SoftwarePlannerSession database primarily stores end user session specific information that is temporal in nature. It also includes a VersionLogs table and BaseCodes table which rarely change but could be updated in an upgrade.
Since a majority of the data in this database is temporal, the size of this database remains fairly consistent.
Typically, you would backup this database each time the main SoftwarePlanner backup is performed, so that in the event of a failure of the system, you have a common restore point for both.
What backup approach to use
Every client, every environment has unique characteristics which can impact what kind of backup strategy you implement. It is difficult to provide a specific detailed set of recommendations that would work in large and small companies throughout the world. Instead, we can point you to the resources which we believe can help you develop best practices for your organization:
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Best Practices Analyzer
Monitor and Tune for Performance
Back Up and Restore of SQL Server Databases
Also, we recommend checking out our Community page, where you may be able to get an idea how other clients have implemented a backup strategy –
If, after reviewing the information above, you feel you need additional help, professional guidance and services are available via a third-party consulting group. Please contact our Customer Care team, if you are interested –