ACS & SQL

[ciscors]

Is it true that ACS uses SQL as its underlying database to save configuration and user data? If so, how come ACS doesn't prompt me for the SQL setup or have a SQL server as a prerequisite on the server? I also don't see any 'SQL service' on my ACS 4 server

Thank you

[hemendoz]

ACS uses a MSFT database engine called "JET", this is the same database engine underlying Exchange,

Access, and Active Directory. It's SQL based, but I wouldn't say its SQL in the sense you are thinking.

About the CiscoSecure User Database

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/secursw/ps2086/products_user_guide_chapter09186a00802335f3.html#wp353472

The CiscoSecure user database draws information from several data sources, including a memory-mapped, hash-indexed file, VarsDB.MDB (in Microsoft Jet database format), and the Windows Registry. VarsDB.MDB uses an index and tree structure, so searches can occur logarithmically rather than linearly, thus yielding very fast lookup times. This enables the CiscoSecure user database to authenticate users quickly.

Hope that helps! If so, please rate.

Thanks

[jhillend]

Hector, that was true for all versions of ACS for Windows prior to version 4.0. Starting with ACS 4.0 ACS uses a relational database, replacing the mix of data sources that you ably described above.

ACS 4.0 uses the SQLAnywhere database. Information is described here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/sw/secursw/ps2086/products_user_guide_chapter09186a008052e94a.html#wp7248

The SQL is running under the ACS services.

[hemendoz]

Excellent! Thanks for the clarification.