Hardware Config change.

[Marty Metras]

I have a A-Class server I use for backup storage and I need to install nore drives.
The Current Config is 2 SCSI cards goinf to one Disk(10) array with 2 controllers.
the Server does not have any more slots for more SCSI cards.
I want to Add another Disk Area. I think I have 2 options.
Take one SCSI card and go to each Disk array.
Or Chain the SCSI controlers on the Disk Array.
Which do you guys think would be the bset way.
The currend Disk Array is 10 drives mirrored in pairs one to each controller.
The new Array will be 14 Diske mirrored in paires.
What are your thoughts?
Marty

[Steven E. Protter]

Throughput and reliability will be improved by going the 1 card per array route.

This setup in general may lead to i/o issues due to different drive speeds, but on an A Class server I don't see any way around that.

SEP

[Marty Metras]

Steven,
What about the setup.
If I remove one of the SCSI cables from the one Array and hook it up to the new array would I have to do any thing with the Mirror on the Disk array I remove the one form?
I have added new SCSIs and setup new drives but have not moved around controllers.
Normally you install the Hardware and if the system sees it you go good.
What about moving it?
Marty

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

there is one more option.
You can replace your SCSI crtl with
new 2X chanel crtl.

You must know that SCSI support no more than
16 SCSI ID. that mean with 2 SCSI CTRL in chain mode you have max 14 disks.
Also Chain connect will have performance problem.

[Marty Metras]

Doesn't look like there is room on the "A" cabinet for the Dual SCSI cards. The connectors are to use. I use them on on out "N"
Marty

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

One more thing.
A class server is a low end decision.
Slow CPU and slow SCSI CTRL make A class server unsuitable for that work.

[Marty Metras]

We only use the "A" as a backup server. It is only storing data files. Once in a while we test an Apps. Mostly it just sits there saving data for us.
Marty

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

if you can scale your I/O ? Use one CTRL for every disk storage.
You can mirror disks from one storage to other using Mirror disk.