Storing files in MySQL.. Good idea?

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variance
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Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 6:30 am

Storing files in MySQL.. Good idea?

Post by variance »

I have a website that generates decent traffic (fifteen or so users on at any given time) and I was wondering if storing files for download in a MySQL database would be a good idea. I would like to do this because it would allow me to prevent hot linking and it would let me limit who can download files and who can't. I'm just worried that having downloads (some around almost 20MB, most about 5-7) stored and retrieved from a database would be a big preformance hit to the site.

Thoughts please? Maybe alternatives that would allow me to limit downloads if this is a bad idea.
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Buddha443556
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Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:51 pm

Post by Buddha443556 »

Do you have mod_rewrite support? Simple tutorial: http://www.htmlite.com/HTA013.php
I found this article about symlinks interesting: http://tanksoftware.com/tutes/leechprotection.html

Just a couple of options. I would definitely explore other options first.
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