SharePoint Storage Management

DocAve Storage Manager Case for Extending BLOBs

Databases like SQL Server are designed to handle relational data of relatively small size (smaller than most Office documents!). However, for larger data, known as Binary Large Objects (BLOBs), databases like SQL are not optimal.

Since more than 95 percent of the data a typical organization uploads into SharePoint are BLOBs, SharePoint's SQL resources become quite overburdened, and have less capacity to perform transactional data operations and queries.

SQL Server licensing is relatively expensive when compared to file-based storage. Another more cost-efficient option is to extend this BLOB content directly to file-based storage, while providing limitless user access to the BLOB content via SharePoint. To do this, administrators can either:

• Write custom code that leverages Microsoft's APIs to create their own BLOB management functionality
• Buy an expensive third party tool
• Use AvePoint's DocAve Storage Manager

With DocAve Storage Manager, BLOBs are never stored on the SQL Server database, meaning SharePoint 2013 and 2010 can perform optimally, your SQL Server resources can be utilized efficiently, and your database costs can be kept to an absolute minimum.

Feature Comparison: RBS FILESTREAM Provider and DocAve Storage Manager

Business Advantages for Microsoft SharePoint Storage Management

• Externalize BLOB Content from SQL Server and Reduce SharePoint 2013 and 2010 Total Cost of Ownership

  Free up SQL Storage space, and save on SQL Server licensing costs, by leveraging existing storage investments and seamlessly externalizing BLOB content from SQL Server to less expensive or hierarchical storage systems.

• Improve SharePoint Performance and Enhance End-user Experience

  Remove unstructured data from SQL Server instantly or on a scheduled basis for enriched performance and shortened response times while providing end-users with seamless access and interaction of SharePoint content, no matter where it resides.

• Transparent Access and Interaction

  Because DocAve leverages Microsoft's fully supported EBS and RBS APIs, users maintain seamless access to – and interaction with – externalized content, which works with SharePoint management functions including alerts, workflows, versioning, Microsoft Office applications, and most third-party applications.

• Enhance Content Lifecycle Management

  Since DocAve is a fully integrated platform, DocAve's powerful management and protection solutions help ensure all SharePoint assets – including externalized content – are fully protected and managed no matter where they reside.

DocAve Storage Manager Technical Overview

• Full-featured Management of Content

  All content offloaded to logical devices by DocAve Storage manager can be managed using all of SharePoint's management and collaboration tools as if it were residing directly in SharePoint's SQL databases.

• Real-Time or Scheduled BLOB Externalization

  Leverage multiple rules for real time externalization based on file size, and combine with scheduled externalization based on any document property including created or modified time and / or size, for truly comprehensive hierarchical storage management.

• Hierarchical Storage Management Capabilities

  Externalize BLOBs to any network addressable file-based storage system. Overlay externalization rules to leverage HSM systems for SharePoint content storage to optimize storage resources and costs.

• Seamless Integration with SharePoint Search

  All data residing in file-based storage is fully integrated with SharePoint's native, full text search functionality, as well as all other search tools that leverage the standard SharePoint API.

• Integration with and Support for Advanced Storage Systems

  Store BLOB content on leading hardware and cloud storage systems to leverage advanced features such as de-duplication, self-healing, and enhanced disaster recovery. Supported storage platforms and providers include EMC Centera, Dell DX Object Storage, NetApp, Windows Azure, Rackspace Cloud Files, and Amazon Web Services.

DocAve Storage Manager Resources

Product Brochures:

• DocAve 6 Storage Manager Product Brochure

Not fully migrated to SharePoint 2013 or 2010 yet?

• DocAve Storage Manager (Extender) for SharePoint 2007 and 2010
• DocAve Archiver for Microsoft SharePoint

Case Studies:

• Prarie South School Division Streamlines SharePoint Management and Keeps SQL Storage Less than 200GB with DocAve

  Find out how DocAve helped Prairie South School Division administrators save time managing SharePoint and address challenges in the areas of end-user adoption, maintenance, governance, and platform scalability.

Read more Customer Success Stories

Solution Briefs:

• Optimizing SharePoint Storage
  Leverage DocAve's Storage Optimization solutions to Optimize Microsoft SharePoint 2010 performance and reduce SharePoint total cost of ownership (TCO).

Explore all of our available Solution Briefs

White Papers:

• Optimize SharePoint Storage with BLOB Externalization

  This document is intended to provide a comprehensive and balanced examination of SharePoint storage concepts and issues, and to equip you to fully understand, communicate and make informed decisions about the role of BLOB externalization in your storage architecture

Peruse our collection of available white papers

User Guides:

• Read the DocAve 6 Storage Manager User Guide for SharePoint 2013 and 2010
• Read the DocAve 6 Supplementary Tools User Guide

Still on a prior release of SharePoint?

• Read the complete DocAve 5 User Guide for SharePoint 2007 and 2010 support