Is there any way to make SQL database size small?

[XYZ500]

Keeping backups in compressed zip format is not an issue, but the database size itself is around 2GB which is quite big. Is there any way to make the size small?

[ozzy47]

Well, what is it in the DB that is making it that size?

Are you storing attachments in the db? if so, move them to the file system and that will free up space.

Same goes for avatars etc. Move everything you can into the file system.

[Max Taxable]

Two Gig ain't big.

[ozzy47]

It's not bad depending on the host, and what it is that is making it that size.

[XYZ500]

Originally Posted by ozzy47

Well, what is it in the DB that is making it that size?

Are you storing attachments in the db? if so, move them to the file system and that will free up space.

Same goes for avatars etc. Move everything you can into the file system.

How to find out if attachments and avatars are stored in DB? And how to move them to file system?

[ozzy47]

ACP --> Attachments --> Attachment Storage Type

You still did not answer what it is in your DB that is making it that size.

[Max Taxable]

There are many 100s of BIG boards with millions of posts and 10s of thousands of avatars stored that have much larger databases than 2GB. What makes you think you need to reduce yours?

[ozzy47]

Really don't matter, if he/she is storing the avatars and attachments in the DB, by moving them to the file system, will not only reduce the DB size, it will also help with the sites speed.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by ozzy47

Really don't matter, if he/she is storing the avatars and attachments in the DB, by moving them to the file system, will not only reduce the DB size, it will also help with the sites speed.

No doubt about that. It's one of your own basic tips for speeding up your vBulletin.

I'm just curious to know what makes him think it is too big. Sounds like something someone with very little knowledge, would tell him. Someone like, a web host call center puke, for example. Someone trying to blame their own performance issues on the customer.

Newsflash for the OP - the entire DB isn't ever called. Just the parts of it the scripts need, at the time they need it.

[XYZ500]

Originally Posted by ozzy47

ACP --> Attachments --> Attachment Storage Type

You still did not answer what it is in your DB that is making it that size.

I see this when I go to ACP --> Attachments --> Attachment Storage Type. http://prntscr.com/5bpgqv

I believe this means that the attachments are being stored in the DB. Should I hit the "go" button?

In answer to your question, I do not exactly know what is being stored in the DB that is making up this size. There are 1million+ posts and around 70k users.

I am not really a technical expert so I have to pretty much ask my host to do everything server related for me (e.g, restoring DB backup) and then they whine that its going to take a lot of time because 2GB is a VERY BIG size. So that's why I was just wondering if I could do anything to reduce the size.

Max_Taxable, I believe I have answered to your post as well here.