Storage Device Needed - Advice?

[Cstorms]

So I need to find something to attach to my Exchange box, something that has a decent amount of storage space available (maybe up to 1TB?) and will be good for Mailbox database('s), I am thinking something that can be configured for multiple RAID10s.. Thats about as far as I have gotten other then perusing HPs site for some of their devices. Anyone used the MSA series at all? I dont have a SAN sized budget but somewhere in the 8-12k range would be my guess.

Thanks for any and all advice/recommendations!

Cory

 

[Zelandakh]

How many users, cached mode or direct, what IOPS, what server hardware, what other servers, email traffic (size and quantity), what architecture / backplane? Outlook 2007/2003/XP, any IMAP4 or POP3, any blackberries, smartphones, OWA, OMA users?

I can do "How long is a piece of string", but it won't get either of us anywhere.

 

[Cstorms]

Yea. I understand where youre coming from..

Its for 1000 users or so, cached yes, IOPS as per my testing with jetstress and iometer seem to be acceptable in a RAID10 config if I setup my DBs as per best practice or at least close to the 100GB or less mark, this was using 4 10k 146GB drives so if need be I can probably swing faster drives or smaller 72gb drives but I will still need to fit at least 3-6 databases on there at the start (so figured at least up to 1TB of space for the future). I am looking for recommendations on what kind of interface I should use between the storage appliance and the server as well, I cant use FC for costs, but other then scsi I havent used much else.

Thanks for lookin.

Cory

 

[Zelandakh]

Look at SAS - cheaper than fibre, faster than SCSI.

 

[cajuntank]

I have been researching this for a few days myself, so here's what I know and am looking to implement for my network. The HP MSA2000i (the dual channel model) with 300GB SAS on all 12 slots; I can add additional enclosures later for more storage as my need arises.

My main servers connecting to this will be my Exchange and SQL (I will have a file/print server connected as well). I asked several storage engineers (CDW, HP, various vendors) because at first I thought FC also, but because I run only Windows based platforms, I was told iSCSI was where I needed to be and that the only systems that can utilize FC's throughput are UNIX and HUGE databases installations. My SQL shouldn't ever go over 1-2TB, and I only have 500 users (mostly teachers) for Exchange, so I think I'm good.

The NC380T adapter is the one I've decided on for the HBA.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/networking/nc380t/index.html

That connected to 2(for failover) Procurve 2900 series switches, I think I'm good.

Your 8-12K range is probably going to be a little tight since the MSA(single channel model) itself before drives or anything else will run you close to 5K. Add drives, HBA, possibly a switch or two and it's going to be close.

Hope I could help.

 

[Zelandakh]

Tell them you are also looking at Dell which is much cheaper. Sometimes the reseller will lower the prices.

Also, start without the curves, add them in later to the quote - keep everything nice and tight and beat those suppliers up!

 

[58sniper]

A good thing to do is run your parameters through the Exchange 2007 Storage Calculator to verify you're accounting for everything.

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP