SQL Storage Compress

SQL Storage Compress is powered by HyperBac's original filter driver compression and encryption technology, which is industry-proven with customers in the Fortune 100, FTSE 100 and government, healthcare, financial and technology sectors.

Like all other products powered by HyperBac, SQL Storage Compress is installed at the system layer with a single component on the target server. No hooks or links into your SQL Server instances and no extended stored procedures are required, providing a zero-touch deployment.

Compression itself is achieved by restoring a backup of a database to SQL Storage Compress's .mdfx, .ndfx and .ldfx file formats. These are compressed versions of SQL Server's native .mdf, .ndf and .ldf formats. For more information, see the walkthrough.

The compressed database appears just like a normal, uncompressed database to SQL Server. The difference in file size is not visible from SQL Server. To see the actual size of the database you have compressed with SQL Storage Compress, open the Explorer to check your program files. By taking a look at the program files, you will be able to compare the size of the compressed and uncompressed versions of your database.

You can restore full, differential and transaction log backups created with native SQL Server, SQL Backup Pro, and SQL HyperBac, amongst others, to a compressed database. SQL Storage Compress is also compatible with proprietary backup formats from other 3rd party backup products. When restoring your backup, simply use SQL Storage Compress's default .mdfx and .ldfx file extensions. The restored database will be compressed by up to 90%.

SQL Storage Compress supports all versions of SQL Server. See the Requirements page for full details.

You can compress live application data for SQL Server, including log files.

SQL Storage Compress is a storage efficiency tool reducing the storage footprint of your SQL Server databases by up to 90%, so you can make the most of your existing environment and save money when it comes to investing in expensive server hardware.

Yes, using SQL Storage Compress it is possible to restore a database to a volume which does not have the physical space to create the data and log devices in their uncompressed size. For example, you can restore a 1 TB database on a system that only has 200 GB free space available.

To do this, open the HyperBac Configuration File located in the HyperBac\bin directory (hyperbac.conf) with Notepad. At the end of the file, add VirtualDiskSize=[size in GB], where [size in GB] is the size that will be reported to SQL Server for all disk volumes. In the above example of a 1 TB database, you would add VirtualDiskSize=1000 to the Configuration File.

This is only used by SQL Server during restore operations and does not have any other effect on the system. This value can be set to whatever is necessary to accommodate the uncompressed size of the data and log devices.

No. SQL Storage Compress seamlessly integrates with SQL Server and has absolutely no hooks into your SQL Server.

SQL Storage Compress is a server side solution. A single instance of the solution is all that is required to compress the data of all relevant databases on the server.

Your free SQL Storage Compress trial will expire after 14 days. Databases, data files or file groups you have compressed will become unavailable if your trial expires and you don't hold a license for SQL Storage Compress. However, a simple workaround to decompress the test databases is available from the Support Center, so you can continue working with them whether you purchase a license or not.

When you stop the HyperBac Control Service in the HyperBac Configuration Manager, databases, data files or file groups you have compressed will become unavailable. However, a simple workaround to decompress the test databases is available from the Support Center. Your databases, data files or file groups will not be adversely affected by stopping the HyperBac Control Service. If you start the HyperBac Control Service again, or if you follow the workaround to decompress your database, you will be able to continue working with your databases, data files or file groups as normal.

SQL Storage Compress is licensed per server. 'Server' in this context refers to a distinct system running a Windows operating system with SQL Server.

SQL Storage Compress needs to be licensed for each node of the cluster. SQL Storage Compress' architecture requires that it is installed on each host where a SQL Server instance is running. In the case of a cluster this is a physical node.

If you own a license of HyperBac Online 4.xx or earlier, you can download the latest version by downloading a trial and activating the license.

Please note that HyperBac Online customers using version 4.xx and earlier will need to contact Red Gate for a new serial key to activate a version 5 license. This is due to licensing changes in version 5.0. For a new serial key, please contact us.

Please note that this is a major driver upgrade, so existing HyperBac Online customers will need to perform a reboot to complete the upgrade. All products using HyperBac technology on your computer must be updated to use the new engine. Other products using HyperBac technology include SQL HyperBac and SQL Virtual Restore.