This method is chosen automatically for backups if all of the following conditions apply:

• NetBackup shared memory is in use.

• The backup is non-multiplexed.

• The backup policy does not specify either compression or encryption.

• The NetBackup buffer size equals the SQL Server blocksize.

  The default NetBackup buffer size is 64 kilobytes, but this value can be overridden in the following settings:

  install_path\Netbackup\db\config\SIZE_DATA_BUFFERS (for tape backups), or,

  install_path\Netbackup\db\config\SIZE_DATA_BUFFERS_DISK (for disk backups)

  You can set the SQL Server blocksize either in the NetBackup client properties dialog box of the NetBackup Database Extension GUI. Or you can adjust it directly using the BLOCKSIZE option in your batch file.

• NetBackup for SQL Server must be started with the same account as the NetBackup Client Service.

  The backups that are initiated from an automatic backup policy are started with the NetBackup Client Service so the same account is already in use. However, you can start an SQL Server backup through NetBackup for SQL Server or through dbbackex. Then your logon account must be the same as the NetBackup Client Service account. Then your backups can be candidates for the alternate buffer method.