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AskSQLTeam
Ask SQLTeam Question
0 Posts |
 Posted - 2005-09-29 : 07:55:04
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| Laura writes "I have a question regarding Blob Data. I currently have db 366gb's in size the majority of the data is blob data. I am very concerned with growth we are growing all the time and very fast. Do you think SQL Server can handle terabyte size containing blob data and keep in mind this database is not spilt up in anyway....What would u suggest here? a file system?" |
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robvolk
Most Valuable Yak
15732 Posts |
Posted - 2005-09-29 : 08:10:26
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| Let's get this out of the way, save the blobs-belong-in-the-database fanboys some typing:http://www.terraserver.com/So yes, SQL Server can handle terabyte image stores as blob data. As to whether that's the best approach, well... My opinion is that using the file system for storing image FILES and document FILES is usually more flexible, much simpler, and less problematic than putting everything into blob columns in SQL Server. Things that TerraServer promoters like to overlook:1. TerraServer is a very esoteric application, not a general purpose image/file server. 2. It does not have constant write activity. In fact, the data in TerraServer is updated rarely.3. The nature of the data it provides makes a file system approach more complicated. The same image must be stored at multiple resolutions and in uniform chunks. It's not impossible to do as files, but would make it more difficult to manage. (it would be interesting to see how Google Maps stores their data) 4. TerraServer was intended as a technology demonstrator, and no expense was spared to get the best hardware available. Space utilization and efficiency were lesser concerns, if any.5. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should. Who'da thunk you could find profound wisdom in Jurrasic Park?My feeling is that if any of these points do not apply to you, then storing blob data in the database is not an ideal approach. |
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Blob Data