Configuring the host log directory and verification server for SQL Server

After you install SnapCenter plug-in packages, you should configure the host log directory before you perform your first backup or clone job. The host log directory is the location that you specify to store the transaction log backup files (.trb files) that enable you to perform up-to-the-minute restore operations.

Before you begin

You can use the Configure Plug-in wizard to specify the location of the host log directory and a verification server. SnapCenter detects NetApp volumes that can host the log directory.
You can set up one log directory per host. You cannot set up a log directory per instance.
In a Windows cluster environment, you must configure a host log directory for each host. For an SQL cluster, you must set a host log for the Failover Cluster Instance (FCI).
After you evict a node from the cluster, the evicted node becomes a stand alone host. You should then reconfigure a host log directory for that standalone host. For example, you have a 3 node cluster and configured host log directory for that cluster. After you evict one of the node from the cluster, you should reconfigure a host log directory for that evicted host.
If you are using a remote verification server, an iSCSI or FC connection must already exist for that host.

Steps

In the left navigation pane, click Hosts.
In the Hosts page, click Managed Hosts.
From the Managed Hosts page, select an SQL host, and click Configure Plug-in to open the Configure Plug-in wizard.
On the Configure host log directory page, click Browse and complete the following steps:

Only NetApp LUNs (drives) are listed for selection. SnapCenter backs up and replicates the host log directory as part of the backup operation.
1. Select the drive letter or mount point on the host where the host log will be stored.
2. Choose a subdirectory, if required.
3. Click Next.
If you want to configure a verification server, on the Verification Server page, select the Setup a SQL Server instance check box, and complete the following steps:
1. Select the SQL host and instance that you want to use for verification.
2. Select the appropriate Run As credential to perform the operation.
3. Choose the maximum job count and mount point options. The maximum job count you can specify is 5.
4. Click Apply, and then click Next.
Review your settings, and click Finish.