Preparing Microsoft SQL Server for use with GFI MailArchiver

This section is optional, since GFI MailArchiver now supports archive stores based on the Firebird database. If you want to create archive stores based on Microsoft SQL Server, you need to follow the steps in this section to create a new empty database through the Enterprise Manager.

NOTE 1: You must configure Microsoft SQL Server to use Mixed Authentication mode to be able to use it with GFI MailArchiver. To do so, load the Enterprise Manager, right-click on the SQL Server node and click Properties. In the properties dialog, access the Security tab and click SQL Server and Windows under Authentication.

NOTE 2: Refer to the following Knowledge Base article for further information regarding the Microsoft SQL Server collation mode required: http://kbase.gfi.com/showarticle.asp?id=KBID002277.

Creating the database

1. Open the SQL Server Enterprise Manager; navigate to and expand the SQL Server node on which you want to create the database.

2. Right-click on the Databases node, and then click New Database.

 

Screenshot 11 - Creating a new database

3. In the Database Properties dialog box, type a name for the new database in the Name box, for example, 'MailArchiver', and then click OK.

NOTE 1: For optimal performance, pre-allocate space for both the data and transaction files, for example, 500 MB for the data file and 50MB for the transaction file to avoid grow operations while archiving to the database, at least initially. To pre-allocate disk space, specify a value in the Initial size (MB) column. To further reduce slowdowns caused when Microsoft SQL Server performs a grow operation; you should set the file growth for both data and transaction files to a fixed value in megabytes, not more than 100 MB, instead of a percentage value. Additionally, ensure that the Maximum file size option is left to Unrestricted file growth for both data and transaction files. You can configure these settings from the Data Files and Transaction Log tabs of the Database Properties dialog box.

NOTE 2: After the first month of archiving, note the database data file size. With this value, estimate the archive database size after six months, for example. If you estimate that your archive database will be larger than 20 GB, you should consider configuring the archive stores management feature of GFI MailArchiver. More information on this feature is available in the ‘Configuring archive stores management’ section of the ‘Configuring GFI MailArchiver’ chapter.