DL585G2 throws out PCI-X

[Andrew_346]

The one tech spec I overlooked when buying this new DL585G2 was the PCI slot configuration. I just didn't think that from the G1 to the G2 they would go from 8 PCI-X to 2 and only one is full-length... All of the rest at PCI-E!

So the plan to have 3 SA6402 controllers and 3 MSA30 shelves is in the crapper.

At this point, I'm having to consider sending this back and getting another G1. However, I'm concerned that the G1 won't be upgradeable to the quad-core Opteron's when they come out, like the G2 is.

The other option is to implement an MSA1500cs and go the SAN route. I've never used SAN for a MSSQL DB server and I'm concerned that it will be as reliable as the simple SCSI controllers.

I don't guess that anyone has heard of either a different PCI board for the 585G2 or a PCI-E SCSI controller that will work with Proliant servers and MSA30 arrays?

[Gus Kwong]

May be you can use Smartarray P800 and MSA 50?

[Andrew_346]

The 10K MSA50s don't have the speed to perform well in random I/O tasks (such as OLTP SQL transactions).

We currently use the P600 and 3 MSA50s on our logshipped backup DB server. When we restore that 190GB database, it takes much longer than with 3 MSA30s. Granted, there are a few less spindles in the MSA50, but we're talking 3 hours vs 30-40 minutes.

Sales rep says the 15k SFF SAS drives should be out shortly and those should match and/or exceed performance of the U320 15k SCSI drives.

[Gus Kwong]

I thought they are out in the States?
http://www4.shopping.com/xPF-Hewlett-Packard-72GB-15K-SAS-3-5-HOT-PLUG-HDD~r-1~CLT-INTR~RFR-www.google.co.uk

[Andrew_346]

That's the 3.5", not the SFF that are used in the MSA50. Common misconception.

[Gus Kwong]

Arh! indeed! :)

I was searching for 431933-B21... but that is the only 15k on the spec sheet.

[Rob Buxton]

As regards the SAN route, they are designed for high availability and are robust.
In the past we had an MSA1000 which was the data store for a SQL Server DB, no problems there.
We've moved on a bit now and have a EVA8000 that serves a number of servers and we are very pleased with.

With SAN, just like anything else you need to review the points of failure and see how it compares to your existing environment. With hot spares and the like you can provide a robust disk environment using the MSA.
Using two HBA's and Multi-path software provides good availability.

[Andrew_346]

I have conferenced with my sales rep and a storage specialist. I was informed that the 15k SFF SAS drives have been released. If you know the P/N, they can be ordered online. However, they have not updated the information in Proliant Options or in the configuration builders for servers or storage arrays.

So... We'll be buying 2 MSA70s (just released) and 2 P800s (to not have all external storage on one controller) to replace the 3 MSA30s solution we have now.

Just want this thread to remind everyone that the DL585 G2 has begun the phase-out of PCI-X and begun the emphasis on PCI-E.

Thanks.

-Andrew