Issue
How do you determine how large a database will grow when using Vista? Which version of Microsoft SQL Server is needed?
Product Line
TAC Vista
Environment
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
- 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 trend logs and events 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 SQL Server Express. The size limitations are 4 and 10 gigabytes for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express respectively. If this size limitation is exceeded, it can produce unwanted results including database corruption, data loss, or inaccessible data. 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 Vista database, to determine which version of SQL should be used. The Vista database estimating spreadsheet takes into consideration 2 main areas:
- Trend Logs- total amount of logs, intervals and the number of days to retain
- Events- total amount of access events.
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 which version of SQL Server is needed
This spreadsheet can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Click Here
Update: In Vista 5.1.7, there is a Trend Log Calculation Tool included (under Schneider Electric-Tools)
