Dias, > to not use a machine > with Oracle database server simultaneously as a file server ? I think you understand the situation. If a server is used for two purposes, there may not be enough resources for both uses. What is the usage pattern for the file server? Is it relatively stable or are there heavy spikes when large files are retrieved? Is the database critical? Do the heavy usage patterns differ in time - ie. is the database used more in the morning and the file server more in the afternoon? My understanding is that file servers mainly use the I/O subsystem. Is there a possibility of separating the I/O so there is less contention? Dennis Williams -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l