|
In this topic |
The required hard disk space for MS SQL Server, the Spector 360 Databases, and the File Storage location (Snapshots and Email Attachments) depends on which version of SQL Server you are installing, whether or not you plan to record Email Attachments and Screen Snapshots, and how many computers you are recording. This topic provides some guidelines for estimating the disk size your data will require.
|
|
The "Database" actually includes several databases, which are fully described in the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.
|
A Spector 360 Setup for fewer than 1,000 Clients installs Microsoft SQL Server Express. The initial installation, before Spector 360 is actively being used, requires minimum disk space as listed below.
|
|
For a realistic deployment, use these guidelines:
|
MS SQL Server Express - (installed separately) 350 MB free disk space
Spector
360 Databases - 30 GB free disk space (bare minimum) includes the
databases below plus 13 GB buffer space to deploy and begin monitoring
STORAGE Database: 4 GB
LOOKUP Database: 4 GB
DATA VAULT Database: 4 GB
Other 360 Databases (ADMIN, AUDITING, CUSTOMER,
SEARCH, WFS FILTER, WFS SYSTEM): About 5 GB
Total (SQL Server and 360 Databases) - About 30 GB.
Be aware that as soon as Clients are installed, the STORAGE database begins to fill with data, and at the maximum 4 GB size, a new STORAGE database will automatically be created. By default, the Database Backups are automatically created (on the same computer). Screen Snapshot files and Email Attachments (if requested) are directed to the File Storage location, where they quickly take up disk space. Read Ongoing Estimating below, and consult the Space Management and Data Retention topics in the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide for help in managing disk space issues.
A Spector 360 Setup for 1,000 or more Clients installs MS SQL Server Standard Edition. You may have specially requested the standard SQL Server, or you may be using your own installation of SQL Server to install a Spector 360 SQL Server instance. The Standard (or Enterprise) version of SQL Server allows you to set the database size. The initial installation, before Spector 360 is actively being used, requires minimum disk space as listed below.
|
|
For a realistic deployment, no matter what database size you set, allow at least 100 GB free disk space. Consult the table and example below for a more accurate assessment. |
MS SQL Server Standard - (installed separately) 350 MB free disk space.
360 STORAGE Database - User-defined. SQL Server Standard Edition allows you to set the initial STORAGE database size during installation.
360 LOOKUP Database - Will be created at the same size as the user-defined STORAGE database.
360 DATA VAULT (DV) Database - Will be sized based on the user-defined STORAGE size, as shown in the table below.
|
User-defined size is: |
DATA VAULT DB will require: |
|
0-20 GB |
4 GB |
|
20-50 GB |
8 GB |
|
Greater than 50 GB |
16 GB |
Other 360 Databases - 5 GB free disk space
Total
- Depends on the user-defined size:
User-defined size * 2 (STORAGE and LOOKUP) +
DATA VAULT (see table above) +
5 GB (SQL Server and other 360 databases)
EXAMPLE: If you define a STORAGE database size of 25 GB, the minimum disk space free required will be about 63 GB.
|
350 MB |
= |
MS SQL Server Standard |
|
25 GB |
= |
User-defined STORAGE database |
|
25 GB |
= |
LOOKUP database |
|
8 GB |
= |
DATA VAULT database (see table above) |
|
5 GB |
= |
Other 360 databases |
|
63.5 GB |
= |
Approximate Total |
|
|
Setting a large user-defined STORAGE database size (e.g., 100 GB) can cause lengthy Backup, Restore, and Archive times, and could slow down Dashboard searches and queries. You can use Dashboard Management (Database Configuration) to change the maximum size of future STORAGE databases. However, the size you define on SQL Server installation remains in effect for other databases. |
The Data Vault Server directs Client recordings to the Database and directs Screen Snapshot and Email Attachment files to the File Storage Location, by default C:\Spector360Data on the Database computer.
Email attachment recording is OFF by default, and attachments are not captured. If attachment recording is turned ON in the Client Settings, the default maximum size of attachments captured is 100K. Files up to 100K attached to sent or received email will be captured and stored in the File Storage location; anything larger will not be captured. You can change the settings to capture ALL email attachments, but be aware that file attachments can take up a great deal of disk space.
Screen Snapshots are "pictures" of the computer screen stored as graphic files. By default, the Client takes a snapshot every 30 seconds while there is user activity. The Screen Snapshot recording storage requirements (per user) are based on several factors, including:
The amount of time the user was active on the computer
The resolution of the user's desktop and number of monitors used
The color depth that Spector is configured to record in (grey scale or color)
The frequency with which areas of the users screen change
For example, a user with an 800 x 600 display engaged in computer activity for 2 hours a day, who is being recorded in grey scale, is going to have a significantly lower storage requirement than a user with two 1280 x 1024 displays engaged in activity for 6 hours a day, who is being recorded in color. You can control the frequency and color depth of snapshot files from the Client Settings.
Every organization has different usage needs. Monitor the weekly and monthly rate of hard disk space used for event recording at your site so that you can respond immediately when disk space begins to run out. Check the Maximum and Current Size of the databases in the Dashboard's Databases Management on a weekly basis. Estimate your own rates of usage, and then establish policies for managing disk space.
Events
Recorded
SQL Server Express - Requires 4.5 GB minimum for each STORAGE database.
SQL Server Standard - Requires user-defined size times 2 (to account
for the LOOKUP and other databases) for each STORAGE database. The user-defined
size you set is the maximum size for the first STORAGE database to be
used by Spector 360.
When a STORAGE database reaches the maximum size (for SQL Server Express installations, 4 MB) a new STORAGE database is automatically created. You may end up with several active STORAGE databases. The Dashboard allows you to archive older STORAGE databases. In addition, the Dashboard provides Space Management and data retention functions that allow you to ensure sufficient hard disk space for newly collected data. See the Spector 360 Dashboard Guide.
Rate
of STORAGE Usage
Per user - Requires about 50 MB each month.
The "per user" rate of database space consumption depends
on the number and activity of your users. Roughly, you can estimate a
rate of 50 MB per user, per month, for users working an 8-hr day. So,
if you are recording 20 average employees, the STORAGE database will receive
about 1 GB of recorded data per month.
|
|
The Dashboard provides Archive and Space Management options that allow you to manage disk space and the size of your databases as the data continues to grow. |
Rate
of File Storage Location Usage
Per user - About 400 MB each month.
Check the File Storage folders (default path is C:\Spector360Data)
containing Snapshot and Email Attachment files on a weekly basis. Screen
Snapshot and Email Attachment Files are stored as files in a folder. Roughly,
the rate of disk space consumption is about 400 MB per user, per month,
for users working an 8-hr day. This formula is based on:
(1) Snapshot frequency of 1 every 30 seconds
(2) Recording in grey scale
(3) 1024x768 display
(4) The user is active 8-hours per day for one month
(5) Email Attachment recording is OFF
So, if you are recording 20 average employees, about 8 GB per month
would be needed for the File Storage Location.
Note: If you are importing data from Spector CNE, you can conserve space by directing the Import Utility to set a path to the existing Snapshot and Email Attachment folders in your Spector CNE data rather than copying them to a new location. However, if you choose this option, the Snapshots and Email Attachments will not be encrypted.
