Setting up databases

5.5	Setting up databases

As an archiving solution, GFI MailArchiver is highly dependent on your database infrastructure setup for high performance in terms of data archival and retrieval.

GFI MailArchiver supports 2 different database types:

•	GFI MailArchiver (Firebird) format

•	Microsoft SQL Server

5.5.1

Configuring the Firebird database

GFI MailArchiver ships with a Firebird database. This database should meet the needs of organizations with less than 25 email users and an average volume of emails.

NOTE 1: It is not recommended to use Mailbox Folder Structure Retrieval or GFI MailArchiver Outlook Connector on a Firebird database when more than 10 users are using GFI MailArchiver.

NOTE 2: Ensure that the size of each Firebird database never exceeds 2GB.

To minimize any potential performance issues, the following setup is strongly recommended when using the Firebird database:

•	Physical HDD 1: Operating System and GFI MailArchiver installation.

•	Physical HDD 2: Firebird database data store.

•	Physical HDD 3: Mail database indexes.

The above setup reduces data read/write operations on the same physical hard disk drive to improve performance.

Important note: Failing to follow the above recommendations may result in substantial performance degradation.

5.5.2

Configuring the Microsoft SQL Server

Setting up a Microsoft SQL server is recommended for larger organizations with more than 25 email users or a substantial volume of emails to archive.

•	Physical HDD 1: Operating System and GFI MailArchiver installation.

•	Physical HDD 2: Microsoft SQLServer data file (.mdf).

•	Physical HDD 3: Microsoft SQL Server log file (.ldf)

•	Physical HDD 4: Mail database indexes.

This configuration ensures that different processes are distributed to distinct physical hard disk drives. This eliminates performance loss due to excessive data read/write operations on the same physical hard disk drive.

Important Notes

1. Configure any Microsoft SQL Server to use Mixed Authentication mode for use with GFI MailArchiver. To achieve this:

•	From the Enterprise Manager, right-click on the SQL Server node ► Properties.

•	Access Security tab and select SQL Server and Windows under Authentication.

•	Save settings.

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.