PowerProtect Data Manager 19.15 Microsoft SQL Server User Guide

Overview of Application Direct with Microsoft SQL Server backups

The Microsoft application agent for Application Direct with Microsoft SQL Server module integrates with the Microsoft SQL Server Virtual Device Interface (VDI).

The interface enables you to configure the module by using a SQL Server Management Studio plug-in.

The plug-in is similar to the Microsoft SQL Server native backup and restore graphical user interface (GUI). Database administrators (DBAs) can use the Microsoft native tools to back up and restore the Microsoft SQL Server data.

For assets with single and multiple stripes, you might see a difference in the backup time reported in the Microsoft application agent SSMS UI and the msdb of Microsoft SQL Server. The backup time difference is due to the Microsoft application agent threading algorithm for striped backups:

• For a single stripe backup, the backup time reported in the SSMS UI corresponds to the backup_start_date of msdb. The SSMS reported time may be slightly ahead of or equal to the msdb table reported time.
• For a multiple stripe backup, the backup time reported in the SSMS UI corresponds to the backup_end_date of msdb.

Application Direct backups to a DD system use the following components:

• The Application Direct library API enables the backup software to communicate with the DD system.

  The DDBEA section of the E-Lab Navigator provides information about the supported versions of the Application Direct library and the DDOS.

• The distributed segment processing component reviews the data that is already stored on the DD system, and sends only unique data for storage. The distributed segment processing component enables the backup data to be deduplicated on the database or application host to reduce the amount of data transferred over the network. Distributed segment processing provides information.

When the DD system restores data to a client, the system converts the stored data to its original non-deduplicated state before sending it over the network.