Container

A container is a physical storage device. It can be identified by a directory name, a device name, or a file name.

A container is assigned to a table space. All database and table data is assigned to table spaces.

A single table space can span several containers, but each container can belong to only one table space. It is possible for multiple containers (from one or more table spaces) to be created on the same physical disk.

The database manager attempts to balance the load of data across the containers.

For automatic storage table spaces, Db2® decides on the number and locations of the containers, their names, and manages the containers.

For SMS table spaces, Content Manager OnDemand decides on the number and locations of the containers, the database manager controls their names, and the file system is responsible for managing them.