eSupport - storage of attachments - database vs files directory - Your experience?

[richm]

Hi all,

Has anyone done any sort of performance testing regarding the storage of attachments in eSupport - database vs files directory?

Our client interactions require quite a bit of back & forth with attachments (screenshots etc.) & I'm wondering what my best strategy is for storing attachments. We also will need to keep attachments indefinitely, so purging isn't really an option.

Looking for some real world feedback on this. My assumption is files directory may be the better way to go...

Any experiences with this? Anyone encountered problems with storing to the "files" directory?

Also, is there any negative impact to changing from database to files mid-stream? (ie. anyone loose the ability to see attachments that were stored in the db after switching to files?)

Thank you,

Rich

[Jamie Edwards]

I personally think the files directory is the best option - whenever I have a choice, I choose file directory. This keeps the size of my database down (easier for backing up and restoring), and decreases the load on my MySQL servers. The best performing option will depend entirely on your setup and whether or not performance of your MySQL server is a concern for you.

[richm]

Thanks Jamie! That's a help. Any negative to switching from database (this is how mine is setup at the moment) to files? Since we already have some tickets in the system?

Regards,

Rich

[Sheep]

I think database is the best because if 1000 users are downloading a file, the hard drive will read 1000 times (big access to slow hardware => slows the server). On the database side the file is loaded in memory, no reads on the hard drive.