New XP SAN, adding SQL Cluster

[Peter Davies_5]

We have a new HP XP SAN. Our Current ERP database is going to move over to this SAN from the old one.
Currently we have 3 Raid 5 volumes
1-MDF files
2-LDF files
3-Temp db files

Does XP have more options or better options than we we are currently using? I'm looking for suggestions on the ideal configuration for this type of SAN to host the storage.

thnxs

[Amar_Joshi]

Peter,

What's the XP configuration? In particular would like to know model and no of diskdrives.

Where are you moving it from? Probably there is no comparisons to make with XP and others but seeing if you are moving from mid-range storage tier to enterprise level stoarge (XP).

**(XP can do miracles)**

[IBaltay]

Hi,
this could give you some inspiration:
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA0-8981ENW.pdf

[IBaltay]

and maybe also this, albeit it is for Oracle 11g, to decide what storage characterization should be best for redo/archive/transaction logs and datafiles...
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA1-5660ENW.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

[Peter Davies_5]

Hi Amardeep:

We are moving from an EVA8000. Here is the XP configuration information:

80 disks, spread across 2 thin provisioning pools, raid 1 and 5

Does that help?
thnxs
Peter

[IBaltay]

If the ThP is the choice, then this doc can apply as an inspiration albeit its Oracle 10g/11g:

Oracle 10g/11g and XP24k ThP
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA1-7555ENW.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

[Nigel Poulton]

General advice from one vendor of the XP is that you can mix and match I/O profiles within a single Pool. For example there is no need to have one pool for random workloads and another for sequential.

However, you already have two pools. So with your configuration you might want to put your database files in the RAID1 pool and you log files in the RAID5 pool.

This will give you optimal performance as well as providing an extra level of protection for your ERP system. E.g. if you were to lose the pool hosting your database you still have your og files in tact.

Another consideration might be if you are taking Business Copies of your database (XP based snapshots). IF this is the case then you should place you source volumes in a separate pool to your Business Copy volumes.

There are also considerations you must keep in mind with regards to the effect that log files have on the "Thin" (space saving) aspect of ThP volumes and pools.

If you have plans to utilise the space saving features of ThP then let me know and I will explain how logging works with this.

Also, looking at your file extensions are these Windows servers running SQL Server?

Nigel

[Amar_Joshi]

Peter,

Definitely, XP will be able to serve your needs much efficiently compare to EVA. Cache, FC-Ports, IO handling capacity and features are much better in XP than EVA.

Very important consideration to DB storage design is to keep the MDF and Logs in separate space, not only to keep the read-intensive DB files and write intensive log files separate but also to have a protection in case of major failures where log recovery is the only option remains.

I somehow disagree with other comment -
"However, you already have two pools. So with your configuration you might want to put your database files in the RAID1 pool and you log files in the RAID5 pool"

Mostly I have seen exactly opposite of it, i.e. DB file in R5 and Logs are in R1. Logs are write intensive and R5 will put parity write overheads. Further more if someone can afford R1 for DB files then logs are very small in size definitely R1 will be much better choice for logs.

Though I haven't seen many customer using ThP for Business Critical applications but I won't decourage you from using it if it's not share with other major business critical applications. Also, please go through the link provided earlier, it should give you overall idea about other best practice considerations.

[Peter Davies_5]

thnxs for the feedback. Since my choices are using RAID 1 and RAID 5(db is 200GB/busy ERP system)

Datafiles->RAID 5-seperate drives
Logs->RAID 5 seperate drives
Tempdb-RAID 1 seperate drives

Our current EVA 8000 has RAID for for all 3.
How does that config sound?

Appreciate insight

[IBaltay]

Hi,
here are some papers for your inspiration:

eva4000/SQL
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA0-2948ENW.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

eva8000/SAP
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA1-3428ENW.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN