Large Data in SingleStore ERROR 2020 (HY000): Got packet bigger than 'max_allowed_packet' bytes

When working with large datasets in SingleStore, you may encounter the max_allowed_packet limitation of 1GB, which is similar to MySQL.

Specifically error:
ERROR 2020 (HY000): Got packet bigger than 'max_allowed_packet' bytes

The "max_allowed_packet" config limits the size of a single data packet that can be sent to the database to 1GB. This restriction can pose challenges when handling large datasets such as JSON objects or binary files.

Possible solutions

• Break Up/Split Large Data:
  
  • Since max_allowed_packet cannot be set higher than 1GB, if the data in the Source exceeds this limit (up to 4GB), you will need to split the data into smaller chunks before sending it to the database. This can be done programmatically from the application layer:
    • Split the data into multiple smaller chunks (e.g., < 1GB each).
    • Insert the data in parts or store it in separate rows, depending on your application's ability to reconstruct the data.
• Alternative Data Storage Strategy:
  
  • For such large data sizes, consider using external storage and only store the references (URLs/IDs) to the data in the database.
  • This would eliminate the need for handling massive data chunks directly in the database, which can be more efficient for both performance and handling large data volumes.

Conclusion

When dealing with large data in SingleStore, either split your data on the application level or consider external storage solutions to workaround the 1GB max_allowed_packet limit. This ensures smooth data management and helps maintain optimal performance in your applications.