DocAve Storage Manager

DocAve Storage Manager

As SharePoint 2010 becomes the central repository for enterprise content within organizations, increasing user adoption and integration from data sources can cause unstructured data, called Binary Large Objects (BLOBs), to consume up to 95 percent of SharePoint SQL Server space.  If ignored, BLOBs can lead to database performance and user experience degradation.

With the NEW DocAve Storage Manager, organizations can mitigate the negative consequences of exponential data growth by combining multiple real-time and scheduled business-rules to externalize BLOB content based on file size, type, or other document properties, allowing SharePoint administrators to:  

  • Reduce SharePoint TCO by utilizing hierarchical storage management (HSM) systems for BLOB storage
  • Improve user experience by optimizing SQL Server resources, while maintaining seamless user access and interaction to externalized content
  • Easily comply with information governance policies for content lifecycle management within or across multiple SharePoint farms with highly customizable business rules 
  • Ensure all BLOBs work with SharePoint management functions and most third-party applications by leveraging Microsoft’s fully supported External BLOB Storage (EBS) or Remote BLOB Store (RBS) APIs

As with all AvePoint software, DocAve Storage Manager leverages only fully supported Microsoft methodologies and APIs.

The 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 Extender

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

Next: Business Advantages

Key Business Advantages of DocAve Storage Manager for SharePoint 2010

Externalize BLOB content from SQL Server and reduce SharePoint 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. 

Next: Technical Overview

Technical Advantages of DocAve Storage Manager for SharePoint 2010

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 (HSM) 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.

Next: Guides and Resources