Data Storage - Moving to HP MSA1000 SAN

Author

Moving to HP MSA1000 SAN

Steve M. Mann

2005-08-30, 5:54 pm

Hello all,

I'm currently investigating a MSA 1000 SAN (including a DL360 server)
solution for my company. Initially, the SAN will be the storage for a
SQL database, that will be running on the DL360, and that has about 25
concurrent users. USER folders will be migrated here also.

I'm planning on migrating our Exchange to 2003 early first quarter and
putting in on a new DL360 and utilizing the SAN for the Exchange
storage. I have three other servers that I would like eventually to
point towards the SAN for their storage also. My question is, how much
is too much? Will there be performance issues? Besides the actual
physical storage requirements, how much I/O can the MSA1000 handle
before performance starts to degrade?

There are approximately 100 total users on our network.

Is there any one with some practical experience with this?

Thanks!
--
Steve
http://www.soundclick.com/rockermann

Spindle

2005-09-05, 10:36 pm

Steve M. Mann wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm currently investigating a MSA 1000 SAN (including a DL360 server)
> solution for my company. Initially, the SAN will be the storage for a
> SQL database, that will be running on the DL360, and that has about 25
> concurrent users. USER folders will be migrated here also.
>
> I'm planning on migrating our Exchange to 2003 early first quarter and
> putting in on a new DL360 and utilizing the SAN for the Exchange
> storage. I have three other servers that I would like eventually to
> point towards the SAN for their storage also. My question is, how much
> is too much? Will there be performance issues? Besides the actual
> physical storage requirements, how much I/O can the MSA1000 handle
> before performance starts to degrade?
>
> There are approximately 100 total users on our network.
>
> Is there any one with some practical experience with this?

I don't have an answer to your performance questions, (too many
variables) but speaking of how much is too much, can you wait for the
repairman (until next business day?) when the MSA will need repairs?

If not, perhaps you should think of two MSAs with enough space for
mutual local mirroring. What about the FC switch, can you work if it
breaks? Also, to run I/Os on multiple paths (it's good for performance
and for failover) you'll need two switches plus dual HBAs on each
server.

Discaimer: I don't work for HP and don't care if you buy from them or
not, but from what you say that SAN could soon become a terrific(1)
single point of failure.

1) terrific: Causing extreme terror
>
> Thanks!
> --
> Steve
> http://www.soundclick.com/rockermann