Post reply

VMWare, virtual disks and SQL Server

  • May 10, 2013 at 3:28 am

    #273838

    Hi all,

    Can anyone recommend the best type of virtual disk to use to maintain decent IO in a virtual environment where the physical disks are in either a RAID 6 or RAID 10 config? I have a feeling that the fixed-size option is the lesser of three evils but could do with some more knowledgeable advice.

    I'm using SQL Server 2008 R2, virtualising on VMWare (ESXI 5), the DB files shouldn't get much bigger than 2Gb but the DB will need to perform read and write operations every day for our sales force. If you need any more info please let me know.

    Thanks in advance.

    M

    MCITP
    MCTS - E-Business Card
    Twitter: WWDMark

    Try not! Do or do not, there is no try

    email: info@weekendwebdesign.co.uk
    Personal Website: http://markallen.co.uk/
    Business Website: https://www.weekendwebdesign.co.uk

  • May 10, 2013 at 3:37 am

    #1614105

    RAID 10 should be better for write operations but a more expsensive option. RAID 6 good al rounder but slower for write i/o Thick disks are probably best.

    SQL DBA
    Every day is a school day, and don't trust anyone who tells you any different.
    http://sqlblogness.blogspot.co.uk

  • May 10, 2013 at 4:06 am

    #1614115

    Ness (5/10/2013)

    RAID 10 should be better for write operations but a more expsensive option. RAID 6 good al rounder but slower for write i/o Thick disks are probably best.

    Thanks Ness,

    Re the physical RAID config: Our IT manager has said he wants to put RAID 6 on with 2 hot spares but I'm pushing for RAID 10 specifically because of the benefit to write operations where the DB is concerned. We've already ordered the disks (12 x 600Gb SAS HDD's with the option of 12 more if needs be) but until he confirms exactly how much space we need on the array it's difficult to say which RAID version to go for.

    Any ideas on which virtual disk type to go for as this is one of the biggest issues I've got from a planning point of view.

    MCITP
    MCTS - E-Business Card
    Twitter: WWDMark

    Try not! Do or do not, there is no try

    email: info@weekendwebdesign.co.uk
    Personal Website: http://markallen.co.uk/
    Business Website: https://www.weekendwebdesign.co.uk

  • May 10, 2013 at 4:20 am

    #1614121

    Thick and eager provisioned is the best bet to avoid disk fragmentation

    This may help - https://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/03/thin-provisioning-whats-the-scoop.html

    SQL DBA
    Every day is a school day, and don't trust anyone who tells you any different.
    http://sqlblogness.blogspot.co.uk

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply