What is the difference between NDF and MDF data files?

Question

NDF data file is optional and is user-defined to manage data storage in case the primary MDF file uses all the allocated space. It is usually stored on separate disk and can spread to multiple storage devices. The presence of MDF files is necessary in order to open NDF files.

What are MDF and NDF files in SQL server?

A Microsoft SQL database consists a primary data file (mdf) a secondary data file (ndf) and a transaction log file (ldf). For this article, we will concern ourselves with the mdf and ldf files. MDF stands for Main Database File and contains all the information in a database.

What is NDF in database?

An NDF file is a user defined secondary database file of Microsoft SQL Server with an extension . ndf, which store user data. Moreover, when the size of the database file growing automatically from its specified size, you can use . ndf file for extra storage and the . ndf file could be stored on a separate disk drive.

What is MDF LDF and NDF?

mdf - master data file. ldf - log data file. and NDF -- NOT master data file.

What is MDF database file?

A file with . mdf extension is a Master Database File used by Microsoft SQL Server to store user data. It is of prime importance as all the data is stored in this file. The MDF file stores users data in relational databases in the form columns, rows, fields, indexes, views, and tables.

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