Database Drive Expansion

  • We have a situation where we have a close to full database drive. Not urgent but getting close.

    We run SQL Server on VMWare with an EMC San. A separate group manages the OS/VMWare and SAN.

    The database is 1.9 TB and 1 single database file (not my decision). So we are running into a situation where to copy the file to a new drive takes more time than we have available for an outage.

    What is the best way to handle the copy in your experience?

    Should I just restore to a new database/new drive? Any other thoughts?

  • notr 100% sure what you're asking here - are you talking about moving the database to new storage with a bigger LUN? Are your VM admins not able to do an on the fly expansion of the current drive?

    If not, setting up log shipping onto a db on new storage, shutting down and attaching the new storage to the current instance should lead to a fairly short downtime requirement.

    I'm a DBA.
    I'm not paid to solve problems. I'm paid to prevent them.

  • Yes - new storage bigger LUN. Just trying to get a handle on how others approached problem. Why log shipping vs just a restore (full then transaction logs until the copy matches production)?

    Thanks for the responses.

  • jackimo (10/8/2015)


    We have a situation where we have a close to full database drive. Not urgent but getting close.

    We run SQL Server on VMWare with an EMC San. A separate group manages the OS/VMWare and SAN.

    The database is 1.9 TB and 1 single database file (not my decision). So we are running into a situation where to copy the file to a new drive takes more time than we have available for an outage.

    What is the best way to handle the copy in your experience?

    Should I just restore to a new database/new drive? Any other thoughts?

    which version of VMware are you using?

    how large is the current vdisk size which holds the file in question?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply