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need advise on hard disk configuration for new backend server
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need advise on hard disk configuration for new backend ... - 1.Aug.2008 4:30:59 PM
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bretthancock
Posts: 29
Joined: 8.Feb.2008
Status: offline
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Hey All,
We are adding a back end server to our Exchange environment and I'm looking for advise on configuring the hard disks. The specs of the server are as follows:
Dual Quad Core processers
4 GB of Ram
5 total 146GB 15k SAS Hard Disks
I was thinking of a RAID 1 for the OS and a Raid 5 for the database and transaction logs but I thought I would get everyone's take on the subject. Also I was unclear what to set for the following advanced options in the RAID BIOS
Stripe Element Size:
Read Policy:
Write Policy:
Thanks for your time.
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 4:54:54 PM
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mark@mvps.org
Posts: 3760
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline
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You live in hope.
No. A total of five disks doesn't really give you any choice. Two RAID1 pars and a disk in your office drawer. A RAID5 on three disks? That would kill your performance, not that you had much to start with.
Ordinarily there would be all sorts of questions about whose storage you had (server vendor or external chassis etc.) but that few disks makes all those questions pretty much irrelevant.
_____________________________
Mark Arnold (Exchange MVP)
List Moderator
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 4:57:54 PM
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bretthancock
Posts: 29
Joined: 8.Feb.2008
Status: offline
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I live with what I have to work with.
We have 6 disks total but management is insistent on having an online spare so I only mentioned having 5.
We only have about 50 mailboxes and aren't expanding rapidly anytime soon either.
< Message edited by bretthancock -- 1.Aug.2008 5:00:23 PM >
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:01:58 PM
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mark@mvps.org
Posts: 3760
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline
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Then two mirrors is perfect for you. The 5th as a spare is overkill unless you work in Ulan Bator and UPS only delivers once a week. Still, it's better to have and not need than not have and need.
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Mark Arnold (Exchange MVP)
List Moderator
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:05:59 PM
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bretthancock
Posts: 29
Joined: 8.Feb.2008
Status: offline
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That makes sense.
Would you recommend the following:
Mirror 1: OS, Swap
Mirror 2: DB, Transaction Logs
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:22:55 PM
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mark@mvps.org
Posts: 3760
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline
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Most certainly not.
The Transaction Logs have to be on a different mirror than the database. That's the whole point!
_____________________________
Mark Arnold (Exchange MVP)
List Moderator
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:25:14 PM
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bretthancock
Posts: 29
Joined: 8.Feb.2008
Status: offline
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Putting the transaction logs on the same mirror as the OS seems a little weird though.
I'm leaning towards convincing management that we should lose the online spare and have 3 mirrors. One for OS, one for transaction logs, and one for database.
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:29:36 PM
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mark@mvps.org
Posts: 3760
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline
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I could care less where else you put the logs but logs and databases do not live together, not unless you want to risk losing 23 hours and 59 minutes worth of email if a disk fails.
_____________________________
Mark Arnold (Exchange MVP)
List Moderator
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RE: need advise on hard disk configuration for new back... - 1.Aug.2008 5:31:56 PM
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bretthancock
Posts: 29
Joined: 8.Feb.2008
Status: offline
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Fair enough, I'm just looking for a few recommendations. All I know is the server that we have right now would make any exchange admin sick.
Single server running a single Raid 5 hosting everything. SMTP, Transaction Logs, Mailboxes, OWA....it's disgusting. This was here long before I got here.
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