Re: SANs vs DAS, VRTS/DMP vs Traffic Manager

zcorce@xxxxxxx wrote:
Just finished recovering from a major failure and management is finally
considering allocating some people and money to removing some of the
single point failures in our configuration.

Environment consists of a cluster of several database servers with
replicated databases. Database servers use Solaris 9 and consist of
6800 domains with 2GB Qlogic Cards and V800s with 1GB Qlogic cards.
Storage is dual controller 3510 arrays. The goal is to have the
majority of the database servers available at all times.

We are just starting our initial evaluation of the problem and several
"high level" disagreements between the development and operations staff
have surfaced. I would appreciate any comments on the following topics
or links to relevant articles.


Issue 1:
Arrays connected using a SAN will provide better performance than
direct attached arrays.

Probably, but the statement is just wrong. 4Gbps fiber to a good
RAID subsystem may provide better performance than just SCSI U320
to the same subsystem. Too many variables to actually determine
if it will peform better or not.. depends on the whole configuration
being used.



Issue 2:
SANs provide higher availability than direct attached storage.

Again... usually true, but you can certainly create a configuration
with multipathing using SCSI... though it's a whole lot easier
using fiber with a SAN switch and SAN storage.



Issue 3:
Veritas Volume Manager adds a layer of overhead which will decrease
overall IO performance.

:) Not sure about how much overhead... but if you have to have
a clustered filesystem (one where multiple machines mount and use
the same filesystem), Veritas is usually a popular choice on Sun.



Issue 4:
Multi-pathing provided from Sun's StorEdge Traffic Manager is better
than Veritas Volume Manager's DMP.


Not sure.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Cluster log File
    ... > problems without reviewing the Cluster MPS Reports for both nodes. ... > it may be possible you have configuration issues and cause you to loose the ... > 311081 Troubleshooting Multiple Cluster Symptoms on the Same SAN ... >> Yes I have that event, the communication mean network or SAN ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • Re: How to delete a disk ressource if not all nodes running
    ... I would also add (if I understood your configuration description properly) that it is not recommend to have one of your cluster nodes configured as a dual-boot system. ... Support Escalation Engineer ... can boot with the 3rd node-system from the SAN. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • DHCP Clustering on Windows 2003 - HELP!!!
    ... I have a few more questions regarding DHCP clustering that I hope someone ... node on my cluster, I was prompted for the Windows 2003 CD. ... completely turned off during the intial Cluster configuration? ... Cluster DataBase or the resource DataBase. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • DHCP Clustering questions on Windows 2003 - HELP!!!
    ... During the configuration of the first ... cluster, I was prompted for the Windows 2003 CD. ... cluster off to prevent corrupting the DataBase. ... there is no DHCP DataBase ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.clustering)
  • Re: Performance
    ... How did you migrate the database? ... What is the configuration of the 64bit ... I have a suspicion that there might be some ...
    (microsoft.public.sqlserver.clustering)