SQL Server Expired - Need to migrate to PostgreSQL

[josh_swr]

So we've found ourselves in a tricky situation. Apparently when we moved our backup server to a new machine we installed SQL server instead of SQL Server Express, and the evaluation period for that has now expired. I can no longer launch the Veeam service as the SQL service can't be started.

I want to migrate it to PostgreSQL, but am not sure the best way to do this now that I can't open VBR. I've got a backup of the configuration (although it's from a few months ago), so is it just a simple case of reinstalling VBR, restoring the backup, and it'll install with PostgreSQL? Or are there more steps to follow?

[david.domask]

Hi Josh,

Correct, reinstall Veeam Backup and Replication and it will install Postgres during the installation from the newest ISOs. Once installed, then use the Configuration Restore from the most recent Configuration Backup, target the Postgres instance during the Configuration Restore Wizard, and the restore wizard will handle the rest.

Please do review the Before You Begin section for the Configuration Restore and review the requirements and considerations.

Most important part though, what version of Veeam Backup and Replication are you currently on? Please note that to migrate the Configuration Database between engines, the Configuration Backup must have been made on the same version:

Veeam Backup & Replication supports configuration database migration between different database engines only within the same Veeam Backup & Replication version.

Thanks!

[igoradsilva]

Hi! I had a similar problem with other product (not Veeam-related). In the occasion, I changed the SQL Server edition to "development", so I could start it to migrate the DB to PostgreSQL.

[mcz]

btw, is a reinstallation of veeam really needed? I mean you could install pg manually and use the configuration wizard to point to a new db. am I wrong?

[david.domask]

You're not wrong Michael, but for users without Postgres experience, some of the configuration may not be as familiar to them, and the Veeam installation process handles that automatically. So it's just a fast way to ensure the instance is configured to allow Veeam to connect correctly.

[RubinCompServ]

So we've found ourselves in a tricky situation. Apparently when we moved our backup server to a new machine we installed SQL server instead of SQL Server Express, and the evaluation period for that has now expired. I can no longer launch the Veeam service as the SQL service can't be started.

I want to migrate it to PostgreSQL, but am not sure the best way to do this now that I can't open VBR. I've got a backup of the configuration (although it's from a few months ago), so is it just a simple case of reinstalling VBR, restoring the backup, and it'll install with PostgreSQL? Or are there more steps to follow?

Have you tried installing SQL Express and importing the database? If you can get Veeam up and running again - even temporarily - you can take a current config backup and then proceed with the migration to postgres.