14
Sun StorEdge 3000 Family Best Practices Manual
• May
2005
File Server Tips and Techniques
Consider the following tips and techniques when configuring file servers.
■
You can use an Ultra3 SCSI port to connect the RAID array whenever the server is
connected to a LAN via gigabit Ethernet. Otherwise, a slower SCSI connection
may create a performance bottleneck on the SCSI connection.
■
If the server has room for only one host adapter and you must choose between
Ultra320 or Ultra160 SCSI or Gigabit Ethernet adapters, install the Gigabit
Ethernet host adapter and use the server’s built-in SCSI port to provide the most
benefit to users. This, however, reduces the I/O to a slower SCSI speed.
■
A configuration with redundant RAID controllers and two logical drives provides
very high transaction rates, even if there are a relatively small number of disk
drives in use.
■
Adding disk drives to logical drives linearly improves transaction performance
whenever cache misses occur, regardless of whether the additional storage
capacity is utilized or not.
■
Rapidly growing network response times as users are added is an indication the
file server is limiting performance. If this occurs, examine the utilization of server
memory, processors, and network adapters and expand those with the highest
usage.
TABLE
4
Configuration Details for File Servers
Small Configuration
Large Configuration
RAID Enclosures
1
1
JBOD Enclosures
0
2
Number of Controllers
1
2
Number of Disks
5
36
Bus Configuration
Single Bus
Single Bus
Cache Optimization
Sequential
Sequential
RAID Levels Used
RAID 3
RAID 5
Drive Configuration
One LUNs
One spare drive
Two LUNs
One spare drive
