Diff B/n Raw file and normal file

[ganga]

what is the main difference between raw files and ordinary files.
on what scenario Raw file system is usefull?

[hacketta1]

The argument goes that raw devices are faster because they bypass the overhead of the OS buffer cache that is associated with filesystems. Also, on some platforms kernalized asynchrous IO can only be used with raw devices and not filesystems. The argument also goes that raw devices are harder to manage than filesystems.

However, there is a lot of debate about how true this is with todays technology. For example:

1) Some platforms allow filesystems to be mounted in a direct mode that also bypass OS buffering
2) Modern logical volume managers mean that raw devices aren't really that hard to manage
3) Newer extent based filesystems (e.g. vxfs) mean the performance difference between raw and filesystems is negligble.

To a large extent it probably depends on your platform and needs to be benchmarked. Of course, if you're using Parallel Server or RAC you must use raw devices.

If you're considering migrating to raw devices you might want to read this word of warning. It doesn't always mean free performance improvements.

HTH

Austin

[stmontgo]

Originally posted by hacketta1

To a large extent it probably depends on your platform and needs to be benchmarked. Of course, if you're using Parallel Server or RAC you must use raw devices.

not true, We use OCFS on windows

[wengv]

using raw files offers you a better performance since it bypasses OS level but causes the difficulties to backup.

[hacketta1]

not true, We use OCFS on windows

You got me there

using raw files offers you a better performance since it bypasses OS level but causes the difficulties to backup

Well, I think that was true before people had RMAN. If you're doing OS scripted backups then it can be more complicated than with filesystems. If you're using RMAN it's no different to backing up a filesystem based db.