Email: jpertell@gmail.

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Twitter: @jayape
Blog: http://www.pertell.com/sqlservings
Introduction to FileTables in SQL Server
John Pertell
Database Administrator for Dialysis Clinics Inc
Ill be talking about
What are FileTables

Some background stuff (Filestreaming)

Demos

SQL 2012 introduces FileTables

Basically, just a table to store files

Uses FILESTREAMING to store files on OS

Access the FILESTREAM files like any other file

Improved performance

First the boring stuff
Theres more and more data being created every day
Structured (think tabular)
Unstructured (documents, images, etc)

Theres more and more need to store unstructured with structured

So, where do we store the unstructured data?
Inside the database

BLOB (Binary Large Object)
Stored as varbinary or varchar MAX (text or image before 2005)

Outside the database

In the file system or cloud
Path is stored in database
Database Advantages

Backups
Security
Transactional Consistency

File System Advantages

Performance
SQL 2008 and Later:

New Option: FILESTREAMING

Integrates SQL with NTFS file system

Stores LOBs as varbinary(max) as files in special
directory

Files accessed through API or .NET Objects
Youve got your database in my file system!
No, youve got your file system in my database!
FILESTREAM Advantages

Better streaming performance

Faster client access through API or .NET Objects

Transactionally consistent

Easier backups

Improved security
FILESTREAMING Disadvantages

Cant use in mirroring

Cant use in database snapshots

Cant use Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)

Possibly huge database backups (though you can use filegroup
backups and compression)

FILESTREAMING Prerequisites

Enable FILESTREAMING on instance

Databases require FILESTREAM file group (on server)

OS permissions to create a shared location

Table needs varbinary (MAX) data type column with
FILESTREAM attribute and uniqueidentifier column with
ROWGUIDCOL attribute

Needs SQL Integrated Security for client access
Storing BLOB Recommendations

< 256 KB: Use BLOB storage

> 256 KB AND < 1 MB: Test based on your usage patterns

> 1 MB: Use FILESTREAMING

Dont use FILESTREAM for files that are constantly updated

SQL 2012 introduces FileTables

Basically, a table to store files

Uses FILESTREAMING to store in OS

Created with a standard schema, no need to declare columns

Stores hierarchically think folders

Doesnt require Enterprise Edition!
Using FileTables

Files accessible through Windows Explorer or applications
like Word or Notepad

You can use full text searches against a FileTable

New Search Property List enhancement to Full Text Search

New Semantic Search to find similar documents.

FileTables drawbacks

Same disadvantages as with FILESTREAMING

Cant set security on folders to block access.

Cant alter database objects created at runtime
(You can rename or add indexes and constraints)

Cant create in tempdb

Cant convert existing table to FileTable
And now on to the demos
Downloads for FileTables



Download Semantics database from Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29069

Download Office Filter Pack from Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17062

Download Office Filter Pack SP1 from Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26604

Download PDF iFilter from Adobe
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=4025&fileID=3941




Resources for FileTables
SQL Server 2012 Books Online - FileTables
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff929144.aspx

SQL Server 2012 Books Online Search Property Lists
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee677637(v=sql.120).aspx

TechNet Library Semantic Search
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg492075.aspx

Sven Aelterman on BeyondRelational
http://beyondrelational.com/modules/24/syndicated/415/sven-aeltermans-
blog.aspx?tab=Posts&tn=Tags&tv=FileTable

The Art of SQL Server FILESTREAM by Jacob Sebastian and Sven Aelterman (PDF)
https://www.simple-talk.com/books/sql-books/the-art-of-sql-server-filestream-by-jacob-sebastian-and-
sven-aelterman/


More Resources for
FileTables
Bob Beauchemin on SQLSkills
http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/bobb/category/filetable/

My blog posts on FileTables
http://www.pertell.com/sqlservings/archive/category/sql/sql-2012/filetables/

Into the Wild...Taming Unstructured Data with Semantic Search
http://pragmaticworks.com/LearningCenter/FreeTrainingWebinars/PastWebinars.aspx?ResourceId=
549