The potential, expanded (uncompressed) size of each data block is based on the number of cells in a block and the number of bytes used for each cell. The number of cells is based on the number of stored members in the dense dimensions. Essbase uses eight bytes to store each intersecting value in a block.
To see the number of existing blocks for a database that is loaded, look for the size of an expanded data block on the Statistics tab of the Database Properties dialog box of Administration Services.
If the database is not loaded, you must estimate the value.
To determine the size of an expanded data block:
Using Table 246, Worksheet: List of Dense Dimensions with Number of Stored Members as a worksheet, enter each dense dimension and its number of stored members. If more than seven dense dimensions exist , list the dimensions elsewhere, and include all dense dimensions in the calculation.
The following types of members are not stored members:
Multiply the number of stored members of the first dense dimension (line a) by the number of stored members of the second dense dimension (line b) by the number of stored members of the third dense dimension (line c), and so on, to determine the total number of cells in a block:
a * b * c * d * e * f * g (and so on) = the total number of cells
Multiply the resulting number of cells by 8 bytes to determine the expanded block size:
(Total number of cells) * 8 bytes per cell = expanded block size
Write the resulting value to the cell labeled DC in Table 244, Worksheet: List of Factors That Affect Disk Space Requirements of a Database.
The Sample.Basic database contains the following dense dimensions:
Perform the following calculations to determine the potential size of a data block in Sample.Basic:
12 * 8 * 2 = 192 data cells 192 data cells * 8 bytes = 1,536 bytes (potential data block size)