SAP Content Server - File System Storage is a Database still installed?

[john_walls]

Hello, Everyone

I have installed about 30 SAP Content Servers for different customers all using the MaxDB, however today a new customer asked me if they installed the SAP Content Server were to use the File System option to store the documents instead of the MaxDB, would a DB still still be installed?  If so what kind?

My initial thought would be "Yes", The get URL for ArchiveLink only includes the documentID and Content Repository, nothing else to indicate the location of where the document would be located on the file system.  But you don't see any DB being installed when you just install the SAP Content Server.

Has anyone had any experience with this?  I rather not build an VM and do an a Content Server install just to figure this out. 

Thanks,

John Walls

[former_member561828 · Accepted solution]

MaxDB is not required for a FileSystemStorage CS.  On install of CS, select Content Server but not Database Instance.

Specific Content Server Repository Root as the location where repositories will be define and files will be stored.  Be certain to setup IIS permissions.

Also enable Content Server to be used as a Network Service. 

SAP Note 658442, appendix C.

In CSADMIN, define repository settings "Storage" for FileSystemStorage.dll

[john_walls · Accepted solution]

Richard and Samuli,

Thanks for the information, but I'm still not 100% sure my question is answered. 

How does the SAP Content Serve know where the document is stored in the files system?  for example when I have the following URL   http://wallsnz9.dynalias.org:1091/ContentServer/ContentServer.dll?get&pVersion=0046&contRep=Z2&docId...

The URL show the content server, the repository on the content server (Z2) and the docID (E19E2E3431ED18F1A699005056C00008).  how does the Content Server know how (where in the file system) to find document ID E19E2E3431ED18F1A699005056C00008 without a DB?  is it a sequential read? some other type of method.

Thanks in advance

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

You will have to specify a path when configuring the FS based repository, all documents will be stored underneath it.

[former_member561828 · Accepted solution]

I've considered this question and reviewed the folder structure on the CS where documents are stored.  I There is a complex folder structure setup by the system but ultimately there is a folder setup with same number as the physical document ID.  Within that 2 documents are stored, a metadata file and the original (compressed).

I'm not certain how the system locates this set of files in a efficient manner but can confirm perform to be acceptable and comparable to MaxDB based CS.

FileSystemStorage have advance of backup and restore and provides a easy means of data management we like.

Hope this helps some.

[Former Member]

As already mentioned, a database instance is not required. It is however recommended and you should let the customer know that. A filesystem repository will never be as performant nor will it have H/A capabilities.