DataCenter and Database

Migration of AVG DataCenter from Firebird to MS SQL Server

In the event the DataCenter running on Firebird database becomes overloaded (e.g. an increasing number of clients in the network), we recommend moving the DataCenter to an MS SQL server (MSDE / MS SQL 2005 Express Edition, or MS SQL 2000/2005).  

The recomended number of AVG stations connected to each database engine is:

  • Firebird - up to 150 clients (general performance reasons)
  • MSDE / MS SQL 2005 Express Edition (free) - up to 1000 stations (license limitation)
  • MS SQL 2000/2005 - 1000+ (limited only by server performance)


The migration of your AVG DataCenter from Firebird database to MS SQL database can be done the following way:

  1. Install the MS SQL Server
    • if you plan to use full MS SQL Server (not Express edition), please install it prior to DataCenter migration
    • in case the SQL server is running on different machine than AVG Admin Server, please make sure that SQL engine accepts connections from other stations. This can be configured in the SQL Server Surface Area Configuration
  2. Run the AVG Admin Server Deployment Wizard
    • select to configure both UpdateProxy and DataCenter role
    • confirm creating of DataCenter database backup
    • select "Create new empty DataCenter database"
    • choose the database type you wish to use
      • SQL Server 2005 Express - applicable for MS SQL 2000 Express / 2005 Express Edition
      • Microsoft SQL Server - applicable for MS SQL Server 2000, 2005 and MSDE
    • if you chose MS SQL Server 2005 Express, two options will be presented to you:
      • New SQL Server 2005 Express installation
        • after configuring the database parameters (user name, password, instance name, etc.), you will be provided parameters for the server installation. Please run the installation using these parameters before proceeding further
      • Current SQL Server 2005 Express instance configuration
        • in the next dialogue, please fill in the connection details
    • if you chose Microsoft SQL Server, please fill in the connection details
    • select "Import data into the database from folder", and provide path to the previously created backup
  3. Configure the UpdateProxy role
    • in case it was already configured, you do not need to change anything
    • these steps are only necessary to write these information into the new database and keep UpdateProxy active
  4. Finish the AVG Admin Server Deployment Wizard
    • click "Deploy" to create the new AVG DataCenter database in the MS SQL server

Now, please run the AVG Admin Console to verify the AVG Admin Server is configured and running correctly.

 

Supported database systems

AVG Remote Administration supports several database systems. Their specifics and installation's recommendations can be found below:

Firebird
This solution is appropriate for smaller networks with up to 150 stations. The database is a standard part of AVG Remote Administration. In case that this database system is selected, there are no further settings needed.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Express Edition
A reduced version of the Microsoft SQL Server, it can serve up to 1000 stations. The product is not a standard part of AVG Remote Administration. Its usage is not limited by any commercial license.

If you choose such type of the database systems, two options will be presented to you:

  • Keep existing DataCenter database
    • Please select this option in case that SQL Server 2005/2008 Express is already installed on your computer. AVG DataCenter will be created automatically when you fill in the database parameters.
  • Create new empty DataCenter database
    • Please use this option if you want to install the AVG DataCenter on a new instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Express. In the next step please fill in the database parameters. Afterwards you will be provided parameters for the server installation. Please use these parameters for the installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Express on your computer/server.
    • In order to install SQL Server 2005/2008 Express Edition properly, you need to download and install Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 or higher. You can download it from the Microsoft website on the following link:
      http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=45988
    • After successful installation of .NET Framework, please download the installation package of SQL Server 2005/2008 Express Edition from the Microsoft web site:
      http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=64064 (MS SQL Server 2005 Express)
      http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/ (MS SQL Server 2008 Express)

Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005/2008
This engine can serve over 1000 stations in large networks. It is not a standard part of AVG Remote Administration and its usage is bound to the Microsoft SQL Server license. In order to deploy AVG DataCenter on such database system, please fill in the database parameters and finish the AVG Admin Server Deployment Wizard.

Database parameters' description:

  • Computer name
    Defines the name of the station, on which the database system is/will be installed.
  • Instance name
    Refers to a particular installation, if there are more than one instances installed on the station. 
  • Administrator’s username
    Predefined automatically, you do not need to change it.
  • Administrator’s password
    Password for the database administrator.
  • Database name 
    Shows predefined database name.
  • Username
    Type in a preferred new login name for the database (to be used for AVG Admin Server connection).
  • User password 
    Type in a preferred new password for the database (to be used for AVG Admin Server connection).

Oracle 10g
AVG DataCenter on Oracle engine is recommended for very large networks (more than 1000 stations). It is not a standard part of AVG Remote Administration and its usage is bound to a commercial license. In case the Oracle 10g database is running on different computer than AVG Admin Server, it is necessary to install the client part of Oracle database on that server. Additionally, please see FAQ 1437 in case the Oracle 10g database is running on 64bit server.

Database parameters' description:

  • Computer name
    Defines the name of the station, on which the database system is/will be installed.
  • Instance name
    Refers to a particular installation, if there are more than one instances installed on the station. 
  • Administrator’s username
    Predefined automatically, you do not need to change it.
  • Administrator’s password
    Password for the database administrator.
  • Username
    Type in a preferred new login name for the database (to be used for AVG Admin Server connection).
  • User password 
    Type in a preferred new password for the database (to be used for AVG Admin Server connection).
 

How to backup/export AVG DataCenter

In case you need to create a backup or export of your AVG DataCenter, there are two possible ways how to do that:

1. Automatically
Withing the new program version of AVG 8.5 Remote Administration, regular backups are created automatically. They are created every 48 hours and stored for 30 days on your hard drive by default.

In case that you wish to alter these values, please edit the AVG Admin Server configuration file (avgadmsv.ini). This file is stored in the program folder of AVG Remote Administration in:
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8 Admin\Server

The last two values in avgadmsv.ini file refer to the regular database backup:

  • DatabaseBackupPeriod=48
    • How often in hours should AVG Admin Server backup database.
    • Default value is 48 hours.
    • In case you wish to disable regular backups, please set to 0.
  • MaxDatabaseBackupAge=30
    • How long should Admin Server store regular database backup in days.
    • Default vaule is 30 days.
    • In case that you wish to disable deleting of backups, please set to 0.

Automatic backups are stored in the following location:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\avg8\Admin Server Data\AutoDatabaseBackup
Each backup is created into a separate folder which corresponds with the creation date and time.

When database backup is finished, message in AVG Admin Server Monitor is displayed.

2. Manually
In case that you need to create an unscheduled export of your AVG DataCenter, you can create it as follows:

  • Run AVG Admin Console.
  • Choose the Database export option from the DataCenter menu.
  • This database export will be store into following folder:
    C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\avg8\Admin Server Data\DatabaseBackup

In case you need to import a database from backup please proceed as follows:

  • If you are about to install the AVG Remote Administration on a new server please refer to FAQ 1375.
  • If you need to import your database on the current server please follow these steps:
    • Run AVG Admin Server Deployment Wizard.
    • Untick the Perform DataCenter database backup to folder option on the Database backup screen.
    • Choose the Create new empty DataCenter database option.
    • Choose the appropriate database type.
    • Tick in the Import data into the database from folder option and using the "..." button please navigate to the folder with stored database exports.
    • Finish the wizard.
 

Support of MS SQL Server 2008

We would like to inform you that the MS SQL Server 2008 is fully supported by AVG Remote Administration.

To use MS SQL Server 2008 please update your AVG Remote Administration to the latest version, which can be found in the Download section.

More information about updating the Remote Administration can be found in FAQ 1466.

 

Deploying of new Oracle 10g database fails on 64-bit OS

This failure of the Oracle 10g database on 64-bit OS when deploying AVG DataCenter is caused by a bug in Oracle. Let us inform you, that the Oracle version 10.2.0.1.0 does not support Program Files (x86) directory on 64bit operating systems.

In order to succesfully deploy the AVG database on the Oracle system, please apply one of the following solutions:

Solution 1:
Install AVG Remote Administration into another directory than Program Files (x86). For example:
C:\AVGAdmin

After this step, creation of a new database will finish without any problems.

Solution 2:
Install the Oracle patch part 4. This patch will update the database version from 10.2.0.1.0 to 10.2.0.3.0.

All patches are available on the Oracle's website at:
http://www.oracle.com/technology/support/patches.htm
Note: We would like to inform you, that in order to download this patch, it is necessary to own a valid Support Identifier (CSI).

In case of any further issues deploying a new database on Oracle system, please do not hesitate to contact our AVG Technical Support team.