SQL 7.0 optimum configuration

[Ayman Altounji]

I have a 6400R (with a smart array controller) being configured to run W2k with SQL 7.0. Some one recommend separating one hard drive to store the transaction logs (on a separate controller) and running the rest on RAID 5. Also partitioning the logical drive in two and have the data stored on the second partition and having the OS only on the C: partition.

I plan to add on a 10 drive enclosure to increase capacity also.

What would be the optimum way to configure the hard drives?

Any help would be appreciated

[Ayman Altounji]

I can tell you about a configuration we use that performs 40% better then any other I have seen.
Make sure you have at least a duplex drive cage and using the ACU mirror two drives across the two channels of a 5302 Array controller. Divide this RAID 1 into two logical drives C: and D: On C: (at least 4GB) place the OS. On D: install SQL 7.0.
Next create a second array RAID 5. Divide this into two drives E: and F:. Place your database on E and your backups(dumps) on F.
Place your transaction logs for any large databases back on D: - Transaction logs operate better on a RAID 1 than a RAID 5 due to sequential writes.
The performance of this configuration is superior to any other we have tested.