ABSTRACT
Compressing large databases, such as the IBM database 2 (DB2) family of relational database products, can yield multiple benefits, as the following case study reveals. With so many data compression technologies and management tools available, the task becomes one of choosing the right product for the job. Of course, IBM offers DB2 compression solutions as well. Unlike file-based compression products—such as the UNIX tar program, which is limited to writing data in 5K blocks—Data Optimizer is designed to compress groups of blocks transparently. For databases that contain large image and graphics files that are not intended for public access over the Web, there is a method of compression known as fractal compression. Audio files are used over the Internet in a variety of ways. Radio stations have set up Web sites to allow access to program archives. Corporations are starting to put the contents of executive speeches and annual meetings on their Web sites.
