Databases can run on either file systems or raw devices. Database administrators often create their databases on file systems because it makes common administrative tasks (such as moving, copying, and backing up) easier. However, running databases on most file systems significantly reduces database performance.

When performance is an issue, database administrators create their databases on raw devices. VxFS with Quick I/O presents regular, preallocated files as raw character devices to the application. Using Quick I/O, you can enjoy the management advantages of databases created on file systems and achieve the same performance as databases created on raw devices.

See About Quick I/O.