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Welcome to the Support Roundtable for DBAs. Presenter: David Johnson, Technical and Installation Product Support Lead Moderator: Willow Schultz, Education Solutions Product Support Lead
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Welcome to the Support Roundtable for DBAs • Presenter: David Johnson, Technical and Installation Product Support Lead • Moderator: Willow Schultz, Education Solutions Product Support Lead • The presentation consists of 5 sections. We will compile your questions during each section and answer them in an open Q & A after each section. • To ask a question in Live Meeting: • Click Q & A on the toolbar • Type your question in the box • Click Ask
What Every Blackbaud DBA Ought to Know What Every Blackbaud Database Administrator Ought to Know Support Roundtable September 30, 2009 David Johnson – MCTS, OCP
What are my responsibilities? • Implementation, updates, and patches • Database maintenance • Backing up and restoring • Troubleshooting
Implementation – Application Server • Installed Components • SQL Server 2005 Express • It is the free edition of SQL Server packaged with current software releases • Not packaged with The Patron Edge • Express has limitations, so it may not meet your organization’s needs: • 1 GB RAM • 1 CPU • 4 GB database size limit • Application Install check for installed versions of SQL Server • SQL Server 2005 Express is not installed if a supported version is detected • Check the System Requirements for supported versions • Support for SQL Server 2000 ends March 31, 2010 • Blackbaud Management Console (BMC) • Easy to use tool to manage all your Blackbaud application databases • Client components • Deploy folder
Installing and Updating – Application Server • Download the software installation package from downloads.blackbaud.com • Back up all your databases • Install from the download on your Application Server • Follow the prompts to determine the application and Deploy folder installation location (new installation only) • During an update you are not prompted for install locations. The installer package will automatically update the correct locations. • Create or Attach your database • Not necessary during an update • Log into the database • Share the Deploy folder • Must be shared to all users • Users must have Read and Execute Permissions • Users must be able to access Deploy folder at each login
Installing and Updating – Workstations • Installing • Log into the workstation with local administrator rights • Browse to the Deploy folder • Example: \\David03\REDeploy • Run Setup.exe from the Deploy folder • This installs: • All necessary prerequisites • Connection information to the database • Client components • Grant users local admin rights or necessary permissions • Updating • Log into the workstation with local administrator rights • Make sure the user has Read and Execute permissions to the Deploy folder • Launch application as normal • The user will be prompted to run the update
Patching • Server • Download the patch from downloads.blackbaud.com and save on the server • Back up all your databases • Run the patch executable on your application server • Log into the application on the server to update the database • Workstations • Log into the workstation as a user with local administrator rights and rights to the Deploy folder • Run the application as normal • User will be prompted to install the patch
Updates and Patches - Plan Ahead • Testing\Planning • How long will the update take? • Will the install interfere with other software (has it been tested)? • Will the update conflict with mission critical business? • Does your server meet the new system requirements? • Are user ready for the new features or changes? • How to test • One license for a Non-Production Environment • Installs like a normal Application Server • Attach a copy of your most recent backup • Test environment • Separate server • Virtual Machine
Backups • Creating a complete and sound backup policy is the DBA’s most important responsibility • Recommendations for a complete backup policy • What should be backed up? • All Blackbaud databases • Other important files (media objects, exports, letters, etc…) • Other application databases • At what frequency should the data be backed up? • Manual backups should be run before any major changes on the server or in the database • Updates to your Blackbaud application • Updates to SQL Server • Global changes in the software application
Backups • Recommendations for a complete backup policy (con’t) • Schedule Blackbaud database backups • Using the BMC • Schedule server backups to external media using a third party applications • Secure backups in a secure off-site location • Testing your backups • Checks the backup integrity • Trains you on restoring so you are prepared • Setup a retention policy • Grandfather-Father-Son
Troubleshooting – what can you do? • Narrow down the problem by asking questions • Does the issue occur on multiple workstations? • Does the issue occur for another Windows account? Application account? • Does the issue occur for a local administrator? • Does the issue occur in the sample database? • Does the issue occur on the server? • Does the issue occur in a test environment (if available)?
Common troubleshooting steps • Reset the registry • A plug-in in The Financial Edge, The Education Edge, and Blackbaud Student Information System • Uninstall and reinstall the application • Avoid this on the server • Repair the Deploy folder • Set the appropriate permissions • Run Process Monitor • Rename the BBUpdate.ini file on the workstation • Detach and reattach the database
Troubleshooting – how can we help? • Available Resources • Knowledgebase • User Guides • Inside the Edge – A Technical Blog for DBAs • User forums • F1 • Case Central • Phone support • 1-800-468-8996
Appendix - Implementation • How to install or update • The Raiser’s Edge - BB202814 • The Financial Edge - BB273248 • The Education Edge - BB132284 • Blackbaud Student Information System - BB355724 • The Patron Edge - BB199880 • How to install the patch • The Raiser’s Edge - BB100349 • The Financial Edge - BB104079 • The Education Edge - BB104079 • Blackbaud Student Information System - BB104079 • The Patron Edge - BB222951
Appendix - Implementation • Knowledgebase Resources • What are the differences among SQL Server editions? - BB95014 • When will Blackbaud stop supporting Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with its products? - BB592364 • How to make a backup and restore from or test the backup - BB52243 • How to create a new database or add an additional database - BB110685 • How to attach a database to the Blackbaud Management Console - BB95152 • How to share files or folders and modify share permissions - BB43473 • How to check for and grant local administrative rights to a user - BB10978 • What NTFS rights are required to run The Financial Edge, The Education Edge or The Raiser's Edge 7 - BB50354 • How to install a non-production (test) database - BB461990 • Does Blackbaud support VMWare or Virtual PC solutions? - BB520705
Appendix – Implementing a Web Server • Web Applications • The Education Edge and Blackbaud Student Information System – FAWEB, NetClassroom • The Raiser’s Edge – RE:Anywhere • The Financial Edge – WebPortal • Install Internet Information Services (IIS) • Windows Server 2003 – IIS 6 • Windows Server 2008 – IIS 7 • RE:Anywhere is not supported on Windows Server 2008 • Install client components like a workstation • Client version should match the Web Application version • Download the Web Application from downloads.blackbaud.com • Install the application • FAWEB • NetClassroom • WebPortal
Appendix – Database Maintenance • How to attach a database - BB95152 • How to detach a database - BB96700 • How to find the Deploy Kit - BB120314 • How to rebuild the indexes and database in SQL Server - BB120081 • How to run Update Statistics - BB137060 • How to shrink the database from the BMC - BB118784 • How to check the integrity of Blackbaud databases - BB124664 • How to move the SQL Server database to a new location on the same server - BB113761 • How to schedule database maintenance in the BMC - BB114908
Appendix – Backups\End of support for SQL 2000 • What is the recommended backup schedule? - BB291 • How to back up the database with the BMC - BB94455 • SQL Server Backup Overview • Inside the Edge – Backups and Recovery, Part 1 • Inside the Edge – Backup and Recovery, Part 2 - Testing your Backups • End of Support for SQL Server 2000 • BB592364 • Inside the Edge - End of Support for SQL 2000 and What it Means to You
Appendix – Q&A • Installing Patches without Administrator Rights • Set the AllowLockdownPatch system policy • Setting up Maintenance Plans using SQL Server tools • Maintenance Plans • Maintenance Plan Wizard • Maintenance Tasks • PCI Compliance • Installing a Test Environment