Installation guide

n Simple Recovery. The VCM database settings are set to Simple by default. The transaction log retains
enough information to recover the database to a known good state when the server restarts.
Transaction log backups are not allowed and point-in-time recovery is not available. Simple recovery
causes the transaction log file to grow. SQL Server is in Auto Truncate mode, so the log file periodically
rolls over as data moves from the log file to the data file.
n Bulk Logged Recovery. The transaction log retains all normal transaction information and discards
transactions that result from a bulk operation. VCM uses the IROWSETFASTLOAD interface extensively,
which is bulk logged.
n Full Recovery. The transaction log retains all information until it is purged through the SQL Server
LOG backup operation, which the database administrator uses to perform point-in-time recovery. Full
recovery allows incremental backups of the database. Do not use point-in-time recovery, because
certain factors in VCM weaken the point-in-time recovery model. If you implement Full Recovery, you
must set up scheduled daily backups of the transaction log. The log files will continue to grow and
accumulate changes until you back them up. A Full Recovery database that does not have scheduled
backups can fill its disk and stop the system.
Configure Database Recovery Settings
SQL Server supports several database recovery models to control transaction log maintenance. Set a
specific recovery model for each database.
The VCM database settings are set to Simple by default. If you change the VCM database recovery setting
to Full, you must manage your own log backups.
Prerequisites
n Understand the database recovery models. See "Database Recovery Models" on the previous page.
Procedure
1. Click Start.
2. Select All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server {version} > SQL Server Management Studio.
3. Expand the SQL instance.
4. Expand Databases.
5. Right-click VCM and select Properties.
6. Click Options.
7. In the Recovery model drop-down, select the recovery model and click OK.
What to do next
Create a maintenance plan for SQL Server. See "Create a Maintenance Plan for SQL Server" below.
Create a Maintenance Plan for SQL Server
To ensure that VCM runs at peak performance and requires little operator intervention during its lifecycle,
you must set up a routine maintenance plan. VCM relies heavily on its SQL databases for operation.
The maintenance plan uses the automated maintenance functions on SQL Server servers that host the
VCM database.
vCenter Configuration Manager Advanced Installation Guide
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