Multiple Data files and Multiple File Groups

Question

Dear Experts. I have a question in mind regarding multiple file groups in SQL Server 2005. I am convinced that our database should have secondary data files, because of various

Answer 1

Don't bother separating system and user data. It doesn't add anything. In real life, either your MDF is there or it isn't. There aren't many shades of grey.

As for splitting, I wouldn't bother with multiple filegroups until one or more of:

• I'm approaching terabyte size
• Very high load
• More than one large table (not just one large table)
• Maybe separate indexes based on load/size/large tables

And only if I can have separate LUNs or RAID arrays for each file. Otherwise it's pointless because you're dividing a finite resource between more files

Summary: for most databases, it isn't worth it