Read Cache and Write Cache enable?

  • Hi all

    At present I have both read ahd write cache enabled on my RAID-5 array (4x15k 18gig drives). From what I understand, the write-caching at the hardware level is basically hidden from SQLServer, therefore, sql*server will assume that the write was successful. This of course means without a good battery backup scheme and possibly the ability to shutdown sqlserver if the power is lost and the batteries are about to fail.

    As for read-cache, I have failed to read anywhere where its a "bad" thing as such and any tips re read cache.

    Any performance/best-practice information around these realms would be great.

    Cheers

    Chris


    Chris Kempster
    www.chriskempster.com
    Author of "SQL Server Backup, Recovery & Troubleshooting"
    Author of "SQL Server 2k for the Oracle DBA"

  • Nothing wrong with battery backed cache. Although tuning it is a royal pain. You've got the cache caching, SQL caching - you spend a lot of time trying to start clean for each test. Having it to start with is the big thing. I'd suggest a SWAG based on what you think your overall read/write percentage is - sorry thats not very scientific!

    Andy

  • Well from my days with Dell, the company line was to turn off write caching to the possiblility of loosing info. Also tuning the caching is a real pain. I would turn it off run some test then turn it on and run some test. You can't go wrong with all write caching if your raid controller supports it, as a rule of thumb you will have more reads than writes. Just my .02$ worth 🙂

    Wes

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