Re: large files systems & SE

Brent Baker recently asked if Informix SE was going to collide with itself based on the UNIX file system size and the size of individual files in his 26 Gbyte database. I too am dealing with database sizes in the gigabyte range. In fact the application I am associated with is estimated to be in the 27-30 Gbyte range when fully operational. My question is why worry not go to On-Line? If the committment to buying several multi-gig drives has already been made just go a little farther and get an Informix engine designed to handle the data load. I think that you are handcuffing yourself, needlessly. Informix suggests, and our tests have borne their statements out, SE is good upto about a million records. Whatever size that might be. In fact, our testing suggests that the upper limit of SE might be significantly lower, at least for our data. Buy On-Line. You can use the raw partion mode of On-Line and forget about Unix's I/O handling routines. On-Line is significantly faster. Although, it is more of a sysadm hassle. My .02 worth. George Teachman USDA-Soil Conservation Service Fort Collins, CO george@talon.ftc.scs.ag.gov