Issue
How do you determine how large a database will grow when using Continuum? How do you know if a Stand Alone or LAN install should be used? Which version of Microsoft SQL Server is needed?
Product Line
Andover Continuum
Environment
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
- MSDE
- SQL Express
- SQL Server Standard
- SQL Server Enterprise
Cause
A database will grow based on the number of objects and logging requirements for a project. Estimating how much a database will grow over time based on the number of controllers, points and logging should be done to determine which Microsoft Database solution is needed for the site.
Microsoft has placed database size limitations on the free versions of their database engines called MSDE and SQL Server Express. The size limitations are 2 and 4 gigabytes respectively. If this size limitation is exceeded, it can produce unwanted results including database corruption. If the estimated size of a database over time exceeds these limitations then a full Microsoft SQL version must be implemented.
Resolution
An Excel spreadsheet has been developed to help evaluate the size of a Continuum database, to determine if a Stand Alone or LAN is needed and which version of SQL should be used. The Continuum database estimating spreadsheet takes into consideration 6 main areas:
- Extended Logs- total amount of logs, intervals and the number of days to retain
- Access Events- total amount of access events and the number of days to retain
- Alarm Events- total number of alarms and the number of days to retain
- Error Events- total number of Cyberstation errors and the number of days to retain
- Activity Events- total number of Activity events of all Continuum users and the number of days to retain
- Continuum Database objects- Total number of Netcontrollers, Infinet, BCXs , mstp controllers, total number of inputs, outputs and numerics. Any of the objects not mentioned above.
The number of data logs, extended log intervals, number of days to retain data and other estimation information can be inserted into the spreadsheet. The sheet will calculate the information and do the following:
- Estimate the space required for that object type and the sum of all object types
- Indicate if a Stand Alone or LAN system is needed
- Indicate which version of SQL Server is needed
Download the Continuum Database Size Estimation Tool.
