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14 TR1081 | Microsoft SQL Server Database Protection Using EqualLogic Auto-Snapshot Manager / Microsoft Edition
For cluster environments the backup document folder must be in a “cluster-accessible” location so each
node can read and access the backup docs created from other nodes within the cluster. For stand-alone
systems it is recommended that each host have a separate folder within the backup document directory,
see Figure 5 below.
Figure 5 ASM/ME Backup Document Best Practice
Note: By default, backup documents created by ASM/ME are saved as files with a .bcd extension. After a
smart copy set has been used, the backup document extension is changed to .pvss.
Best Practice: The location for the backup document directory should be managed on a central share that
can be backed up regularly. If PS Series replication is configured, the backup document share should be
reachable by the primary and remote groups – and, ideally, replicated using technologies such as DFS/R.
Otherwise, the backup documents must be manually transported to the remote site. The following three
images show protection options for backup documents.
Figure 6 Backup Document Protection Using a Local Share