Define Physical Files for a Database in SQL Server

Use the SQL Server Database Physical File Editor to define a physical file that contains all the attributes needed for a database in a SQL Server physical model.

To define SQL Server physical files for a database

1. Click Target - SQL Server, Databases on the Model menu.

   The SQL Server Database Editor opens.

2. Select the database in the Navigation Grid for which you want to define physical files and click the Files tab.
3. Click the File Editor icon in the Database Logfiles section.

   The SQL Server Database Physical File Editor opens.

4. Select the physical file in the Navigation Grid that you want to define and work with the following options:

   Click New on the toolbar to create a new physical file. Use the Enter filter text box to filter a very large list of physical files to quickly locate the one that you want to define.

   Name

   Displays the physical file name. You can change the physical file name in this field.

   Type

   Displays how the physical file is used.

   This field cannot be changed in this editor.

   State

   Specifies the database state. Make a selection from the drop-down list.

5. Click the General tab and work with the following options:

   File Name

   Displays the location of the physical file.

   File Size

   Specifies the initial size of the physical file. Enter a numerical value using a whole number (no decimals). You can use the suffixes KB (kilobyte), MB (megabyte), GB (gigabyte), and TB (terabyte).

   Default: MB

   Max Size

   Specifies how large the physical file can grow. Enter a numerical value using a whole number (no decimals). You can use the suffixes KB (kilobyte), MB (megabyte), GB (gigabyte), and TB (terabyte).

   Default: MB

   File Growth By

   Specifies how to grow the physical file. Make a selection from the drop-down list.

   The selection you make in this field determines how you enter a value in the File Growth field.

   File Growth

   Specifies the amount of space to add to the physical file each time it needs to grow.

   Default: MB

   Limits: Use a numerical value with one of the following suffixes: KB (kilobyte), MB (megabyte), GB (gigabyte), or TB (terabyte) if you selected Value for the File Growth By option. Use a numerical value without a suffix if you selected Percent for the File Growth By option. A value of zero indicates that there is no automatic growth.

   Read Only

   Determines the read/write status of the physical file. Make a selection from the drop-down list.

   Media Read Only

   Specifies whether the physical file is on read-only media when you select the check box.

   Sparse

   Specifies whether the physical file is a sparse file when you select the check box.

6. (Optional) Click the Comment tab and enter any comments that you want to associate with the object.
7. (Optional) Click the UDP tab to work with user-defined properties for the object.
8. (Optional) Click the Notes tab to view and edit user notes.
9. Click Close.

   The physical file is defined and the SQL Server Database Physical File Editor closes.

10. Click Close.

    The SQL Server Database Editor closes.