By Richard Rogers & Mark Walsh

What does database storage management mean? A database storage management system is a defined set of hardware, software and procedures to store the data being use, called, manipulated, etc.

Why is this important? This topic is really important for and when it comes to data warehousing because you need to know how the information you are creating, is being stored and where it is being stored. Also, you need to know how your storage systems work just in case you need to work on the storage system.

Also…  Another thing that is extremely important when it comes to database storage systems is data protection. How do we protect all the information that we store, because if we store the information, it must be important?  We have many ways from backing up our systems with batch, full, or simple backups, to restoring our database.

Oracle Oracle has created a few things to make their database better  Automatic Storage System (ASM) – is an easy to manage, high quality service database with automated database file management.  InServ with Thin Provisioning - is an intelligent and broadly scalable disk array with automated storage administration and dynamic storage provisioning

Oracle cont. ASM combined with the inServ Storage Servers with thin Provisioning, has provided a widespread approach to database file management and block-level data management. This move by Oracle is supposed to simplify database administration operations, storage provisioning and configuration, automates performance tuning, and is supposed to eliminate small manual tasks such as performance tuning, special management and system resource tuning.

SQL Server Microsoft has created a few things to make their database more powerful  iSCSI – is a standard SCSI block storage protocol that is designed to operate over TCP/IP instead of over Fiber. iSCSI based IP SANs (Storage Area Network) deliver lower total cost of ownership than traditional SANs and lower.  ONTAP - which revolutionized the landscape for customers who want to use the maximum spindle count on their SAN environments without forgoing control of space management.

SQL Server cont.  FlexVol - is a logical storage entity that resides within an aggregate (is logical entity containing a pool of one or more RAID). Flexible volumes can be sized appropriately anytime for the unique requirements of each SQL Server database instance. In addition, they can be grown and shrink as needed.

What do you think? So which one should you use, Oracle or SQL Server?  Which one you find easier to use.  Both are very powerful databases, and both are always trying to make their databases quicker, more stable, better security, and easier to use.