ssa config

[new2aix]

I have the following SSA hardware in a p650:

2 x 6230 Advanced Serial Raid Plus Adapters
2 x 6235 32MB FastWrite Cache
2 x 6231 128 MB DRAM Option Card
2 x 7133-D40
32 x 18.2 GB 10K Advanced SSA Disks

The SSA will be used for database storage.
I would like to implement a RAID-10 configuration.
I want to reduce the number of possible failure points by having RAID-10 arrays span both SSA enclosures.

I have looked through a bunch of PDF's related to SSA and RAID setup.
The rules look like this:
Maximum # of disks in RAID-10 array = 16
# of primary disks must = # of secondary disks

I think that I will end up with 2 RAID-10 arrays of 16 disks each. Is this configuration valid?

1st RAID-10 array
7 primary disks, 1 hot spare from SSA Enclosure A
7 secondary disks, 1 hot spare from SSA Enclosure B
For simplicity, assume that I'll be using disks 1-8 in each enclosure.


2nd RAID-10 array
7 primary disks, 1 hot spare from SSA Enclosure A
7 secondary disks, 1 hot spare from SSA Enclosure B
For simplicity, assume that I'll be using disks 9-16 in each enclosure.


I am uncertain about configuring the loops. I want to maximize the adapter utilization and availability. The 'Understanding SSA Subsystems' Redbook describes a 'mirroring' configuration where the 'A' loop on both adapters is connected to one SSA enclosure while the 'B' loop on both adapters is connected to another SSA enclosure. Is this the best way to configure the loops?

When I am assigning the various pdisks to a RAID-10 array, will I be able to choose from the disks in either SSA enclosure?

Is there anything special I need to do in order to configure the Fastwrite and DRAM cards?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[bjverzal]

I believe you posted this to comp.unix.aix as well ? I replied to that posting earlier today via Google. You should see it soon.

BV