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Stream Backed Tables (Coming Soon) Stream Backed Tables (SBT) are topics inside StreamNative Cloud that store data in Ursa Format, the native, high-performance storage layer used by StreamNative’s Cost Optimized Clusters. This capability is currently not available and will be released in an upcoming version of StreamNative Cloud.
Stream Backed Tables were previously called Internal Tables. The new name avoids confusion with the external and internal table concepts used by lakehouse catalogs.
Key Characteristics
  • Stored in Ursa Format - Data is written using a compact, high-throughput format optimized for streaming and low-latency access.
  • Fully Managed by StreamNative - StreamNative will handle all storage lifecycle operations — retention, compaction, indexing, and metadata.
  • StreamNative-Native Performance - Designed for fast ingestion, low latency, and operational efficiency within the StreamNative cloud environment.
  • Not Externally Queryable via Open Table Formats - Stream Backed Tables are optimized for streaming workloads, not external analytics engines.
When to Use Stream Backed Tables
  • You need low-latency ingestion and high-throughput streaming.
  • You prefer StreamNative to manage all storage operations end-to-end.
  • You don’t require external interoperability with Iceberg/Delta or an external Lakehouse system.
Note: Stream Backed Tables are under development and will be introduced soon. The feature description above outlines planned capabilities.