SQL Edition Upgrade - Express to Standard.

[northeast100]

Hey all,

We are moving our SQL databases over to Veeam from backupexec and we have read that if you have databases larger than 10GB then express won't work for Veeam. So we are wondering if anyone has gone through an express to standard upgrade. Our setup is all-in-one physical server. SQL and Veeam. Appreciate any input/feedback.

[Ctek]

We did it in the past for SQL Express 2008 to Standard, it was a walk in the park. We just did the GUI upgrade of SQL and it went fine. Just make sure you do backups properly before.

[Mike Resseler]

MSFT has created some good documentation naroud this: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/da ... n-upgrades

And as Ctek says, it should not be that difficult at all, and I agree with him, always take a backup before doing something like this (PS: If you are already running Veeam on that database, you can do a config backup: https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... tml?ver=95)

Cheers
Mike

[mikeconjoice]

Just echoing what the other guys have said here, it's really straightforward. We've just done it on a large number of servers and it's very much a next, next, next, upgrade process. I can send you the steps we followed if you like but as Mike and Ctek said, it's nicely documented on the Microsoft Docs site.

[phiaramos]

Hi, I just want to ask if there's a guide or procedure to upgrade the SQL express to standard? I haven't configured any jobs yet. VBR software is freshly installed using SQL Express, since my license for Standard is not yet available. I only configured backup proxy and added the vCenter to VBR. Thank you!

[Mildur]

Hi Phia

Just follow the official procedure from Microsoft.

If you want to make sure that you have a fallback option, please consider to create a configuration backup first:
Running Configuration Backups Manually

[noah]

Hello,

I'm Noah.
Good day to you.

I want to migrate VEEAM B&R by purchasing a new physical server.

I know it's well documented in the Helpcenter.
URL : https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backu ... ml?ver=110

Before proceeding with the migration, I have one question.
Currently, VEEAM B&R DB Size is over 10GB and using Standard Edition.
Are we in the right order to install VEEAM B&R on a new physical server and upgrade SQL to Standard Edition?

[Migration Step]
1. Old VEEAM Server Service Stop and Disable
2. Old VEEAM Server Configuration Backup(Encryption)
3. New VEEAM Server B&R Install
4. NEW VEEAM Server SQL Upgrade(Express Edition -> Standard Edition)
5. Migrate through Configuration Backup File
6. Check the consistency and normal operation of the backup service

In conclusion, I wonder when is the best time to upgrade VEEAM SQL DB.

Thank you

[HannesK]

Hello,

1 & 2: I would only stop all jobs and then do the configuration backup as mentioned in the user guide
3. I would install SQL standard before installing VBR
4. Install VBR and point to SQL standard
5 & 6:

Best regards,
Hannes

[veremin]

You have summed it up perfectly. The SQL upgrade process should not cause any issues if you follow the Microsoft recommendations. Thanks!

[noah]

Hello,

Thank you for your answer.
Veeam iso files automatically install msql.
This is a very good function.

Q1. If I install mssql manually, I have to select several options, so can I know the information(manual or helpcenter) about it?

Q2. Is there an installation manual for Mssql?
The internet is not working here, so i have to install it offline.

Q3. Is the Mssql installation file in the veeam b&r iso?

So I tried to upgrade the sql version in step 4 because the mssql is automatically installed when installing the veeam b&r.

Thank you.

[HannesK]

Hello,

Q1: the default settings of the SQL installer would work. Only the database engine is needed. You might want to limit RAM usage (same if you upgrade from Express to standard) and the Veeam database should be in "simple" recovery mode to avoid log files filling up the whole disk space.

Q2: Google gave me this as first result https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ma ... rver-ver16

Q3: Express Edition, yes

Best regards,
Hannes