A recent study of Independent Oracle User Group (IOUG) members found that 31 percent are managing databases larger than 1TB in size -- up from 13 percent who said that at the beginning of 2006.

The growth was fueled by increasing amounts of unstructured data, such as graphics, video and e-mail files, as well as data being generated from business and customer transactions, new devices and systems, and compliance requirements.

That rapid level of growth is creating concern among database administrators (DBAs).

According to the study, 60 percent of the 335 members of the Chicago-based IOUG reported that a lack of available storage has affected database performance, with others saying that they have delayed application rollouts because of a lack of storage resources.

Systems administrators and DBAs are taking over major decisions related to storage and day-to-day storage management in small to medium-sized companies. In large firms, however, dedicated storage administrators still hold sway. Ultimately, however, those roles are converging.

"Storage admins and decision-makers need a basic level of understanding about what an Oracle database needs for daily operations and optimal backup strategies such as exports and archived logs," said one respondent, a DBA with a government agency. "DBAs also need a basic understanding of storage architecture."

The greatest surge in storage demand comes from the utilities/transportation/energy/telecommunications sector, where 28 percent of users reported such growth.

One fallout from the trend is that those in charge of budgeting for storage growth say they are typically making estimates, and then tacking on safety margins of an additional 10 percent to 25 percent to account for unexpected growth.