To ensure optimal audit performance while minimizing storage requirements, consider implementing a maintenance plan to back up your archive databases on a routine basis using IDERA SQL Compliance Manager. Each archive database is independent, and you can maintain each on a different schedule.
Once you back up the archive, you can drop the archive from the SQL Server instance that hosts the Collection Server. When you need to access older audit data, restore the archive database to the Collection Server, and then attach the database using the Management Console. For more information about attaching archives, see Attach existing archives.
When you restore an archive database generated by a previous version of SQL Compliance Manager, consider updating the database to use optimized indexes. Optimizing indexes enhances performance when working with larger archive databases. For more information about updating archive databases, see Update your archive databases.