SAN basics every SQL Server DBA must know

Learn storage area network (SAN) basics that SQL Server DBAs must know. Understand SQL storage concerning RAID levels, redundancy and snapshots vs. backups.

Deployments and Tests in an iSCSI SAN

This paper describes the deployment and testing results of SQL Server 2005 using the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator with an EqualLogic iSCSI SAN. It helps you understand best practices and the benefits of using an iSCSI SAN with SQL Server 2005.

Which is Faster: SAN or Directly-Attached Storage?

Or should I place my database files on SAN or directly-attached storage? This is a frequently asked question. It comes up repeatedly in public newsgroups, email discussion lists, and private meetings with customers who are concerned with database performance.

RAID Scaling Charts, Part 3: 4-128 kB Stripes Compared

This is the third article that deals with analyzing the various possibilities involving various RAID setups and differing numbers of hard drives. We used the same hard disks again here: eight Samsung HM321KJ SATA/300 drives powered all of the possible RAID 0, RAID 5 and RAID 6 setups, with from three to as many as eight hard drives configured to use stripe sizes of 4 to 128 kB.

RAID Scaling Charts, Part 2: RAID 5 And RAID 6

For our RAID tests, we once again use Samsung HM321KJ SATA/300 drives. This time, we benchmarked RAID 5 and RAID 6 setups with three to eight hard drives.

RAID Scaling Charts, Part 1

Most enthusiast and mainstream users would consider setting up a RAID array mainly for performance reasons - few really care about data safety. For this reason, the majority of arrays installed consists of only two drives, which run a simple RAID 0 stripe set. Haven't you ever asked yourself how these RAID arrays scale as you increase the number of hard drives?

Build a Green Datacenter

Green is the hot topic these days, and the concept is having an impact on the way people think about datacenters. Companies around the world are announcing ways to save energy and reduce

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