RAID 5 vs RAID10

  • I'm looking at implementing some new hardware and obviously the topic of which RAID to use has come up, this is the how i'm thinking of implemting at present;

    SQL Box

    ---------

    C:\ - OS and SQL executable

    D:\ - Not used at present

    Q:\ Quorum

    SAN

    ---------

    Physical Disk Set 1 – Temp db (RAID 1+0)

    Physical Disk Set 2 – Data files (RAID 1+0) Should this be RAID 5 instead of RAID 1+0

    Physical Disk Set 3 – Log Files (RAID 1+0)

    Transaction logs backups can either be written local and copied to a safe location or written directly to another machine.

    Keen to get your opinion on this set up, do you think RAID 5 maybe better overall on disk set 2? etc

    Thanks.

  • I don't like your setup. Mirror the transaction files, by all means, but I don't see a reason to stripe them across multiple disks. That seems like a waste of time, space and money to me.

    Now the data files, it depends. What will the impact be to your company if you only stripe the files and then lose 2 disks? Remember, a Raid 5 requires a minimum of 3 disks and if you lose more than 1, it's pretty much useless for recovery. Or that's the way I remember it, at least.

    On the other hand, Raid1+0 for data files can seriously slow down write performance. So, which would be the bigger hit for you?

    I hate to say it, but the answer is "It depends" for the data files. You really need to review your company's needs and decide not only which is financially more feasible to set up, but also which will prevent maintenance heart-aches and a bigger financial burden down the road. Don't just think Disaster Recovery as you're designing this. Think "how will it affect the business while functioning perfectly" also.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Hi,

    Thanks for the response, you make a good point about the transaction files.

    As you point out "it all depends", so I think I'm going to gather some additional requirements and speak to our network guys before making any more decisions.

    Thanks for your comments, greatly appreciated.

  • Glad I could help.

    Let us know if you have any more questions after you're through gathering. @=)

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

  • Will do Brandie.

    Thanks again.

  • Jackal (2/13/2009)


    Q:\ Quorum

    is this a clustered sql set up then?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • That's the way I'm reading it, Perry.

    Brandie Tarvin, MCITP Database AdministratorLiveJournal Blog: http://brandietarvin.livejournal.com/[/url]On LinkedIn!, Google+, and Twitter.Freelance Writer: ShadowrunLatchkeys: Nevermore, Latchkeys: The Bootleg War, and Latchkeys: Roscoes in the Night are now available on Nook and Kindle.

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