SAN hardware/configuration recommendations :)

[ponetguy2]

Hello Everyone,

We are currently migrating our data (oracle) infrastructure to SAN. We are
a small shop, so please do not recommend crazy hardware/software
recommendations.

Right now, one database server has two A1000s connected to a V480. Another
database servers has two D1000s connected to a E35000. The third is identical
to the second. We would like to centralize our data and have multiple servers
connected to it. We also would like to have room for growth and redundancy.
Our plan is to stick with Solaris since it has been battle tested in our
environment.

So please, help a newbie. Thank you.

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[ponetguy2]

oh, i almost forgot. easy administration

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[ponetguy2]

I am currently looking into StorEdge 3510 FC Array. I'll keep this post posted

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[ponetguy2]

If someone has an existing SAN infrastructure, it would be nice if he/she can list the software/hardware of his infrastructure. If he/she can also list his/her thoughts on their setup, it would really help me.

I just recieved a quote from two distributors. Here is a list of products I requested to get a quote on:

2x V480 Sun V480, 4 x 1.05 GHz, 8 GB Memory, 2 x 73 GB HD

2x Sun 3510 FC Array, 2 Hardware Controllers, 12 x 146 GB HD

4x Sun 2 GB PCI 1 Port Network Adapter
or
2x Sun Dual Fibre Channel 2Gb PCI

2x Brocade Silkworm 3800, 16 Ports 2 Gb, (includes 16 x SFP)

LC to LC 5 Meter Cable

LC to LC 7 Meter Cable

10 Meter Fibre Cable

If I am missing anything, please feel free to add. If someone has an opinion, please feel free to post your thoughts.

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[kHz]

Just wondering why you want a SAN for two servers?

 

[kHz]

Here is a link with basic info for planning your SAN with a 3510.

http://docs.sun.com/source/816-7325-21/ch3_planning.html

 

[ponetguy2]

Thank you KHz. That link helped alot. We finally determined which hardware we should purchase.

We've decided to go for two StorEdge 3510FC array and two Brocade 200E switch. Each array will have dual controllers for redundancy and load balancing. On the host side, we are ordering two V490s with 4 1.2GHz CPU, 4 HBAs and 8G of memory.

We wanted to utilize the 4G transfer rate on the switches, but the arrays are only capable of 2G transfer rate. This caused us to go for the 2G HBAs, since the switches are capable of negotiating. Plus if we go for the 4G switches, this gives us room to grow. If the 4G arrays go down in price, we can still obtain this technology.

Now that we are ordering all the hardware, I can use on some suggestions with the software. I inquired about Sun Cluster with Sun, but the cost was way too expensive. Because of this, I will need to do some research on a clustering solution on the host side

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[kHz]

Do you want HA or Load Balancing?

Veritas Cluster Server (have used/like)
HA/FST (haven't used)
Linux HA High Availability (have used on SuSE/like) - their website says it runs on Solaris
Lifekeeper (never used)

I have also used Red Hat Cluster Suite (like Linux HA better)

Of the above, only VCS is commercial. I think the rest are free. RHCS only works on Red Hat though and it might be purchased software too.

LVS is for load balancing and it may run on Solaris but I am not sure.

Quagga is also IP routing software.

Let me know what you decide to use. At one of my former employers they used IBMs HACMP but I didn't get to use it.

You might also want to check into clustered file system if you need that capability, such as IBMs GPFS (you wouldn't be able to use) and GFS (Global File System).

 

[ponetguy2]

Thank you again KHz. I'll look into your recommendations.

I have a question regarding HBAs, disk arrays, and the switch. If I have a 4G switch which can auto-negotiate, 4G HBA (I'm not sure if the HBA can auto-negotiate), and an array which peaks at 2G bandwidth, will this cause a problem? Do I need to setup the HBA to auto-negotiate to 2G, so that it can communicate with the array?

If this question is stupid, please forgive me. I'm new to SAN.

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"

 

[ponetguy2]

forget it. i found the documentation for the hba. the hba is capable of auto-negotiating.

here is the part number: sg-xpci1fc-qf4

plus we also decided to go with the brocade 200e switch.

"Not all OSs suck, it's just that some OSs suck worse than others"