Reporting Database
The Reporting Database stores all report data (as metadata) that it receives from the Data Receiver. You can install the Reporting Database on a standalone server or on the same server as the Portal Server. If you use a Managed Services Provider, the Reporting Database and Portal Server are usually off site and hosted by that third-party provider.
IT Analytics maintains most of the data in the Reporting Database indefinitely. Some reports are more valuable when they have access to historical data. Because the Reporting Database only stores metadata, the amount of data on the Reporting Database is relatively small (GBs). This report data is essential to retrieving reports, so the Portal Installation Guide walks you through a database backup process.