Enabling Filestream for SharePoint 2010 + RBS

Question

Hi,

I'd like to know if I allow to read and write FILESTREAM data from Windows when I enable Filestream for SharePoint with RBS. The Filestream enabling is described in this article: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645923.

Thanks

Answer 1

What are you looking to do?  You can't access SharePoint databases outside of the SharePoint Object Model (else you'll be in an unsupported state).  You can access FILESTREAM data itself, even create your own, just not to SharePoint databases (a few articles below the link you provided details the basics).

---

http://sharepoint.nauplius.net

Answer 2

Hi pscorca,

Based on my understanding, the filestream file is read only. It’s only for storing data.

For more information about “test the RBS data store”, please refer to: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mvpawardprogram/archive/2012/04/02/configure-remote-blob-storage-rbs-with-the-filestream-provider-sharepoint-2010.aspx

Thanks.

Answer 3

Hi Yaoyao,

in the article that I've posted is written:

"If you want to read and write FILESTREAM data from Windows, click Enable FILESTREAM for file I/O streaming access. Enter the name of the Windows share in the Windows Share Name box."

It seems the same operation described in your suggested blog, isn't it?

I want to know the right setting for using RBS Filestream for SharePoint. I'm a beginner with this technology.

Thanks

Answer 4

Hi pscorca,

In your post blog, just describes how to enable and configure filestream in SQL Server. It's not the same the operation with my posted blog, in the blog it described Configure Remote BLOB Storage (RBS) with the FILESTREAM provider (SharePoint 2010).

You can check it, if there is any problem, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks,

Yaoyao.

Answer 5

Hi,

For RBS configuration first you have to enable filestream at database level and set shared folder that could be on C,D or any drive. because in RBS files stores in shared folder not in database. 

I hope this clear your point.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/pramodbalusu/archive/2011/07/09/rbs-and-sharepoint-2010.aspx

thx

---

iffi

Answer 6

Hi all, thanks for your reply.

The msdn article posted by me it is a generic description about Enabling Filestream on database server for ShapePoint using, thus the subject of this issue. My thread is restricted to this specific step to prepare SharePoint with RBS.

My msdn article doesn't say the better way to enable filestream for SharePoint and I'm asking about it.

In the blog posted by Yaoyao I can read that I need to accomplish these tasks: a) for the SQL Server service, I must check the option "Enable FILESTREAM for Transact-SQL access"; b) for the SQL Server service, I need to check the option "Enable FILESTREAM for file I/O streaming access" and specify a Windows share name. No other checks.

The article posted by imughal, about enabling filestream, is a generic one related enabling filestream as my msdn article.

Now, which are the best settings to enable filestream for SharePoint to accomplish for SQL Server service?

Is it clear the issue? Many thanks

Answer 7

Hi

Based on your description, I understand you are confusing on how to enable FileStream for SQL Server for SharePoint RBS.

First, RBS is a Microsoft SQL Server library API set that is incorporated as an add-on feature pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2008 or Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express. SharePoint utilize the API to store BLOB data into SQL Server using FileStream. That is why we need to enable FileStream

Second, and it should be the most confusing things you have. What are the options we should enable from "SQL Server Properties" - "FILESTREAM" option?
1. Obviously, we must enable "Enable Filestream for Transact-SQL Access". This option is enable us to use T-SQL to access the Filestream.
2. "Enable Filestream for file I/O streaming access". The RBS API uses SqlFileStream object to access the FileStream via code. So, we must enable it.
3. The "Window Shared name" is used for Win32API. The Win32API for FileStream uses the path(just like the path in Windows system) to access the data in database.
4. The last option is used for remote clients to use the shared name to access the filestream.

For more detailed, please see:
Access FILESTREAM Data with Transact-SQL: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc645962.aspx
How Do I: Use SQL File Stream: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/128657/How-Do-I-Use-SQL-File-Stream
What is the FILESTREAM Windows share for: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/sqldatabaseengine/thread/1d8a727d-dec1-4a1e-af4b-1ad554aebcf8

Thanks,
Jinchun Chen

---

Jinchun Chen
Forum Support
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff AT microsoft.com(Please replace AT with @)

Answer 8

So, please just check the first two checkboxes, provide the window share name to enable FileStream feature.

For your original question "if I allow to read and write FILESTREAM data from Windows when I enable Filestream for SharePoint with RBS". If you have RBS enabled, it means you have FileStream enabled too.

In case FileStream it is enabled, you can use T-SQL or File IO to read or write data to the database. But, it is not supported in SharePoint RBS enabled environment, as it may corrupt the data for SharePoint.
Please let SharePoint to use the RBS client to read and write data automatically.

Thanks,
JC

---

Jinchun Chen
Forum Support
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff AT microsoft.com(Please replace AT with @)

Answer 9

Hi Jinchun, I've simply read the msdn article and I've reported this phrase:

"If you want to read and write FILESTREAM data from Windows, click Enable FILESTREAM for file I/O streaming access. Enter the name of the Windows share in theWindows Share Name box."

So, you are saying to specify the windows share name and at the same time that in the case FileStream it is enabled it isn't adviced for SharePoint to read or write data to the database using the File IO.

I'm simply asking which are the rigth settings to enable Filestream for SharePoint RBS as the normal configuration. I don't want to perform any "strange" operations.

Thanks

Answer 10

The normal settings are 1) enable FileStream, 2) type the Windows Share Name as RBS needs it

---

Jinchun Chen
Forum Support
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff AT microsoft.com(Please replace AT with @)

Answer 11

Hi, to expand on this what happens if you point to a AlwaysOn FILESTREAM?

From here Install and configure RBS (SharePoint Foundation 2010) I can see one of the steps:

use [WSS_Content]
alter database [WSS_Content]
add file (name = RBSFilestreamFile, filename =
'c:\Blobstore')
to filegroup RBSFilestreamProvider

In relation to the original question, is it right to assume this c:\Blobstore is nothing to do with the AlwaysOn cluster FILESTREAM windows share name?

I see here FILESTREAM and FileTable with AlwaysOn Availability Groups (SQL Server) a virtual network name (VNN) is created but assume this is never referenced by SharePoint?