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When the SQL Server data is backed up as part of a SQL virtual machine application-aware protection policy in Data Manager, the SQL server virtual machine backups can be restored using the centralized restore functionality in the Data Manager UI.
Types of centralized restores of SQL virtual machine backups:
Single or multiple databases can be restored from the same SQL host and instance. The databases can be restored either to the original SQL host or to an alternate SQL host with the following requirements:
Note: When the Microsoft application agent is installed to perform a restore of a SQL virtual machine backup to an alternate SQL Server host, ensure that the SQL host was not previously registered to Data Manager as an Application Direct host.
The centralized restore of multiple SQL databases supports the following use cases:
Centralized restore of SQL Virtual Machine backups can be performed from the Recovery > Assets > SQL window in the Data Manager UI.
Restore to original database - Restore databases to the original database on the original SQL Server where the SQL VM is protected by the Data Manager VM application-aware policy, the SQL VM is running, and SQL Server is operational. Backup copies are used for operational restore and for Disaster Recovery purposes.
For a single database restore, the restore can be performed from a most recent copy, a specific copy, or from a point-in-time (PIT) copy. For a single database, tail log backup can be performed for the active portion of the disk.
A restore of multiple databases can be performed only from the most recent backup copy.
Copy and Point-In-Time selection - Single database restore supports copy and Point-in-Time (PIT). With copy selection, FULL or TLOG can be selected and with PIT selection, roll-forward time can be selected and available only when TLOG backup is selected.
Note: Roll-forward time should be selected in between the timelines of full backup copy and log copy.
Restore to alternate database - Restore database to an alternate SQL Server where the SQL VM may (or may not) be protected by Data Manager. The Data Manager user can install agents for “unprotected” VM.
Data Manager provides a rich set of options for restoring SQL databases to alternate locations:
The target host must have an application agent installed:
The Install Agent option is available from the More Actions menu in Infrastructure->Assets->Virtual Machines. This is available only for Windows VM.
Note: Operating system credentials are required to install the Data Manager SQL Server Agent for Windows. Set the credential from More Actions > Set Credential.
Select Install to install the agent on the Windows VM. You can monitor the installation status from the Jobs window.
Data Manager will automatically discover the target hosts, SQL instances, and SQL databases.
Database File Location: You can select one of the following restore options to specify the file system location where the databases are restored:
Recovery state selection:
You can select one of the following options:
See PowerProtect Data Manager: Microsoft SQL Server User Guide for more details.