File Groups for table partitioning and storage

Hello,

I am building partitiong tables, partitioning on different file groups:

the question is:

Partitioned table referred to old data that are not frequent accessed for reporting can be stored on separate location(External storage, tape and so on) or to make partitioning functioning must all file groups must be presents?

If not, how can I separate old data from current ones (still using partitioning) to reduce the size of DB?

What it is the best for storage data and easy to access it when needs arise (eg reporting): Tape, external storage, others?

Thank

SQL doesn't support moving the data to tape. There are two ways to look at the partitioning.

1. I need way more disk performance than a single RAID array will give me. You would therefor partition the table over several high speed disk arrays.

2. We have old data that isn't accessed all that often any more, and high performance isn't needed for the old data. You would therefor parititon the table with the new data on high speed disks, and the old data on slower, less expensive disks.

The database size won't get any smaller, but the storage costs will be reduced.