Cisco Cisco UCS B260 M4 Blade Server White Paper
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Storage Requirements for Microsoft SQL Server Database Deployment in Virtualized Environments
Storage configuration is critical to any successful database deployment. As with any physical Microsoft SQL Server
deployment, the storage in virtualized environments should be sized properly to meet the database I/O
requirements. The two important considerations for sizing the storage requirements are:
deployment, the storage in virtualized environments should be sized properly to meet the database I/O
requirements. The two important considerations for sizing the storage requirements are:
●
Database size measured in GB
●
Performance capacity measured by the number of I/O operations per second (IOPS) needed for the
database to operate efficiently
database to operate efficiently
To successfully design and deploy storage for a Microsoft SQL Server application, you need to understand the
application’s I/O characteristics and the Microsoft SQL Server I/O patterns. You need to consider parameters such
as the read-to-write ratio of the application and typical I/O rates to configure the I/O characteristics of the
application. The number of spindles and the speed should be configured to the maximum possible to increase
storage performance. RAID 1+0 provides a better throughput for write-intensive applications. Place log files on
RAID 1+0 (or RAID 1) disks for better performance and protection from hardware failures.
application’s I/O characteristics and the Microsoft SQL Server I/O patterns. You need to consider parameters such
as the read-to-write ratio of the application and typical I/O rates to configure the I/O characteristics of the
application. The number of spindles and the speed should be configured to the maximum possible to increase
storage performance. RAID 1+0 provides a better throughput for write-intensive applications. Place log files on
RAID 1+0 (or RAID 1) disks for better performance and protection from hardware failures.
This validated solution uses the iSCSI protocol to access the primary database application storage.
Advantages of iSCSI Storage Implementation on the Guest Virtual Machine and VMware ESX Host
The iSCSI protocol allows SCSI commands to be sent over a TCP/IP network. iSCSI uses standard IP network
equipment such as Ethernet switches and standard NICs to send SCSI block commands encapsulated in IP
packets.
equipment such as Ethernet switches and standard NICs to send SCSI block commands encapsulated in IP
packets.
iSCSI offers the following advantages:
●
iSCSI uses the existing IP networks and components (NICs, switches, cables, etc.), and therefore a
separate network is not required to create the SAN.
separate network is not required to create the SAN.
●
An iSCSI SAN is cost effective compared to a Fibre Channel SAN.
●
An iSCSI-based SAN can coexist with the current Fibre Channel–based SAN. This feature gives customers
using Fibre Channel the flexibility to scale up their SANs by adding storage capacity using an iSCSI SAN.
using Fibre Channel the flexibility to scale up their SANs by adding storage capacity using an iSCSI SAN.
●
An iSCSI SAN does not have any distance limitation.
●
iSCSI is easy to learn, deploy, and maintain because it uses common IP-based network components.
●
iSCSI is well suited for implementation of SANs in virtual server environments because it supports software
initiators that make such integration easier.
initiators that make such integration easier.
●
iSCSI supports the same amount of bandwidth as IP networks and therefore can provide the high
bandwidth required for virtual server environments.
bandwidth required for virtual server environments.
●
iSCSI supports direct backup to tapes or disks even from virtual servers.
NetApp Storage Technologies and Benefits
NetApp solutions begin with NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1, the fundamental software platform that runs on all NetApp
storage systems. NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1 is a highly optimized, scalable operating system that supports mixed
network-attached storage (NAS) and SAN environments and a range of protocols, including Fibre Channel, iSCSI,
FCoE, Network File System (NFS), and Common Internet File System (CIFS). It also includes a patented file
system and storage virtualization capabilities. Using the NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1 platform, the NetApp unified
storage architecture offers the flexibility to manage, support, and scale business environments by using a single set
of knowledge and tools. From the remote office to the data center, customers collect, distribute, and manage data
NetApp solutions begin with NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1, the fundamental software platform that runs on all NetApp
storage systems. NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1 is a highly optimized, scalable operating system that supports mixed
network-attached storage (NAS) and SAN environments and a range of protocols, including Fibre Channel, iSCSI,
FCoE, Network File System (NFS), and Common Internet File System (CIFS). It also includes a patented file
system and storage virtualization capabilities. Using the NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0.1 platform, the NetApp unified
storage architecture offers the flexibility to manage, support, and scale business environments by using a single set
of knowledge and tools. From the remote office to the data center, customers collect, distribute, and manage data