Features > Archiving > Working with Firebird Working with FirebirdReducing the Database size
Users are often surprised that when they delete a large amount of messages from Mailtraq they don't see a matching reduction in the size of the mailtraq.fdb file. As messages are stored in the database the size of the database grows, but when the messages are removed the structure remains.
Why is this ? It may be helpful to think of the database as a honeycomb - as more honey is stored so the honeycomb grows, however if you later remove the honey, the honeycomb remains the same overall size, even when the honey is gone.
There are tools for manipulating Firebird directly (see below) but the following procedure is normally sufficient if all you are wanting to do is reduce the database size after a clean up. The action of copying the database.fdb file will effectively remove the empty spaces.
- Shut Mailtraq down
- Locate the file called mailtraq.fdb in the Database folder
- Copy mailtraq.fdb to another location
- Rename the original mailtraq.fdb to mailtraq.old (to act as a safety backup)
- Move the mailtraq.fdb back from the other location to its original position
- Restart Mailtraq and check that all is as you expect.
- You may delete mailtraq.old when you no longer need it.
Now is a good time to review your backup regime: www.mailtraq.com/backup
Client/Server Mode For Firebird familiar users:
 The Firebird database system as automatically installed is embedded into Mailtraq's process and can only be accessed by Mailtraq. If you wish to access the database directly you will need to change over to the Client/Server mode.
This procedure is for experienced administrators and is not officially supported
You can easily install the full Firebird client-server system and replace the FB registry entry with the database address and alias followed by credentials, e.g.192.168.1.1:mailtraq|SYSDBA|masterkey, providing you copy the Metabase from the file Mailtraq creates and replace gds32.dll with the contents of fbclient.dll
Naturally, you need to take precautions against compromising your email system, so if you wish to work with Firebird we suggest you contact development@novitraq.com who will be pleased to advise you. Charges may apply.
For a discussion about operating in Client/Server mode see this Forum Knowledgebase Article
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