Disk Array Usage

From: Robert Mazur (mazur_at_raincode.net)
Date: 02/06/04

  • Next message: Paul S. Brown: "Re: Disk Array Usage" 
    Date: 5 Feb 2004 15:16:41 -0800

    I have a question about the usage of disk arrays. I have not
    had the chance/need for building a "larger" system. I admin
    about 6 Dell Poweredge servers running Linux. One is a database
    server, and the rest are web, file and app servers.

    My Sun/Solaris usage is limited at the moment to using my U60 and U5
    as desktops for daily usage.

    For my own education, how does using a disk array differ from just
    using a server in its place? I see an array as a massive storage
    facility, whether that be a file server or running a database. Rather
    than a disk array, why not have an actual server with a ton of space?
    Either way you can have multiple web/app servers accessing the data?

    Could this be because such a server with high storage capacity would
    likely have high processing power, and therefore you are paying for
    power rather than storage?

    Are all disk arrays connected to their servers via Fiber Channel
    cables,
    making for better through-put?

    Can someone explain to me where disk arrays fit into the larger
    system configurations?

    Thanks for your help!

    p.s. I am aiming at our next server purchase to be a simple Sun
    box like a V120.....just because! :-)

  • Next message: Paul S. Brown: "Re: Disk Array Usage"

    Relevant Pages

    • Re: Disk Array Usage
      ... Using 2 or 4 large capacity disks can prove to be slow because when the disk ... > server, and the rest are web, file and app servers. ... > Are all disk arrays connected to their servers via Fiber Channel ...
      (comp.sys.sun.hardware)
    • A3500FC Fibre Channel disk array controller configuration
      ... A3500FC Fibre Channel Controller ... Five D1000 disk arrays ... The server has Solaris 8 installed and Raid Manager 6.22, but I can't configure the disks in the disk array. ...
      (comp.unix.solaris)
    • Re: Red light at DL380 disk arrays
      ... >I am new to HP server product. ... I saw a red light at one of disk arrays ... How to check in Windows system that this red light is coming? ...
      (comp.sys.hp.misc)
    • Red light at DL380 disk arrays
      ... I am new to HP server product. ... I saw a red light at one of disk arrays ... How to check in Windows system that this red light is coming? ...
      (comp.sys.hp.misc)
    • Re: SBS 2003 Premium R2 server becomes more unstable, page file gr
      ... and then when we took a look at the server, it appears as though the PF ... according to MS specs and your suggestion of the PF being 1.5x the RAM ... The VM Size is what seems to be getting large (Mem Useage ... Image Name Mem Usage VM Size ...
      (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)