Sun Microsystems STOREDGE T3 User Manual 2

Sun StorEdge™T3 and T3+ Array
Sun Microsystems, Inc. 901 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94303-4900 U.S.A. 650-960-1300
Part No. 816-0777-10 August 2001, Revision A
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Contents

Preface ix
1. Array Configuration Overview 1
Product Description 1
Controller Card 2
Interconnect Cards 4
Array Configurations 6
Configuration Guidelines and Restrictions 8
Configuration Recommendations 9
Supported Platforms 9
Supported Software 10
Sun Cluster Support 10
2. Configuring Global Parameters 13
Cache 13
Configuring Cache for Performance and Redundancy 14
Configuring Data Block Size 15
Selecting a Data Block Size 15
Enabling Mirrored Cache 16
Configuring Cache Allocation 16
iii
Logical Volumes 16
Guidelines for Configuring Logical Volumes 17
Determining How Many Logical Volumes You Need 17
Determining Which RAID Level You Need 18
Determining Whether You Need a Hot Spare 18
Creating and Labeling a Logical Volume 19
Setting the LUN Reconstruction Rate 19
Using RAID Levels to Configure Redundancy 20
RAID 0 21
RAID 1 21
RAID 5 21
Configuring RAID Levels 22
3. Configuring Partner Groups 23
Understanding Partner Groups 23
How Partner Groups Work 25
Creating Partner Groups 26
4. Configuration Examples 27
Direct Host Connection 27
Single Host With One Controller Unit 28
Single Host With Two Controller Units Configured as a Partner Group 29
Host Multipathing Management Software 30
Single Host With Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner
Groups 31
Single Host With Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner
Groups 32
Hub Host Connection 34
Single Host With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two
Partner Groups 34
iv Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Single Host With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four
Partner Groups 36
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units 38
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units 40
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two
Partner Groups 42
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four
Partner Groups 44
Switch Host Connection 46
Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Two Controller Units 46
Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Eight Controller Units 48
5. Host Connections 51
Sun Enterprise SBus+ and Graphics+
I/O Boards 52
System Requirements 52
Sun StorEdge PCI FC-100 Host Bus Adapter 53
System Requirements 53
Sun StorEdge SBus FC-100 Host Bus Adapter 54
System Requirements 54
Sun StorEdge PCI Single Fibre Channel Network Adapter 55
System Requirements 55
Sun StorEdge PCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter 56
System Requirements 56
Sun StorEdge CompactPCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter 57
System Requirements 57
6. Array Cabling 59
Overview of Array Cabling 59
Data Path 59
Contents v
Administration Path 60
Connecting Partner Groups 60
Workgroup Configurations 62
Enterprise Configurations 63
Glossary 65
vi Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001

Figures

FIGURE 1-1 Sun StorEdge T3 Array Controller Card and Ports 3
FIGURE 1-2 Sun StorEdge T3+ Array Controller Card and Ports 4
FIGURE 1-3 Interconnect Card and Ports 5
FIGURE 1-4 Workgroup Configuration 6
FIGURE 1-5 Enterprise Configuration 7
FIGURE 3-1 Sun StorEdge T3 Array Partner Group 24
FIGURE 4-1 Single Host Connected to One Controller Unit 28
FIGURE 4-2 Single Host With Two Controller Units Configured as a Partner Group 29
FIGURE 4-3 Failover Configuration 30
FIGURE 4-4 Single Host With Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 31
FIGURE 4-5 Single Host With Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner Groups 33
FIGURE 4-6 Single Host With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 35
FIGURE 4-7 Single Host With Two Hubs Configured and Eight Controller Units as Four Partner
Groups 37
FIGURE 4-8 Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units 39
FIGURE 4-9 Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units 41
FIGURE 4-10 Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 43
FIGURE 4-11 Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner
Groups 45
FIGURE 4-12 Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Two Controller Units 47
FIGURE 4-13 Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Eight Controller Units 49
vii
FIGURE 5-1 Sun Enterprise 6x00/5x00/4x00/3x00 SBus+ I/O Board 52
FIGURE 5-2 Sun StorEdge PCI FC-100 Host Bus Adapter 53
FIGURE 5-3 Sun StorEdge SBus FC-100 Host Bus Adapter 54
FIGURE 5-4 Sun StorEdge PCI Single Fibre Channel Network Adapter 55
FIGURE 5-5 Sun StorEdge PCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter 56
FIGURE 5-6 Sun StorEdge CompactPCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter 57
FIGURE 6-1 Sun StorEdge T3 Array Controller Card and Interconnect Cards 61
FIGURE 6-2 Sun StorEdge T3+ Array Controller Card and Interconnect Cards 61
FIGURE 6-3 Array Workgroup Configuration 62
FIGURE 6-4 Enterprise Configuration 63
viii Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001

Preface

The Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide describes the recommended configurations for Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays for high availability, maximum performance, and maximum storage capability. This guide is intended for Sun™ field sales and technical support personnel.

Before You Read This Book

Read the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for product overview information.

How This Book Is Organized

Chapter 1 describes the connection ports and Fibre Channel loops for the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array. It also describes basic rules and recommendations for configuring the array.
Chapter 2 describes how to configure the array’s global parameters.
Chapter 3 describes how to configure arrays into partner groups to form redundant storage systems.
Chapter 4 provides reference configuration examples.
Chapter 5 describes host connections for the array.
Chapter 6 describes array cabling.
ix

Using UNIX Commands

This document contains some information on basic UNIX®commands and procedures such as booting the devices. For further information, see one or more of the following:
AnswerBook2™ online documentation for the Solaris™ software environment
Other software documentation that you received with your system

Typographic Conventions

Typeface Meaning Examples
AaBbCc123 The names of commands, files,
and directories; on-screen computer output
AaBbCc123
AaBbCc123 Book titles, new words or terms,
What you type, when contrasted with on-screen computer output
words to be emphasized
Command-line variable; replace with a real name or value
Edit your.login file. Use ls -a to list all files.
% You have mail.
% su Password:
Read Chapter 6 in the User’s Guide. These are called class options. Yo u must be superuser to do this.
To delete a file, type rm filename.
x Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001

Shell Prompts

Shell Prompt
C shell machine_name%
C shell superuser machine_name#
Bourne shell and Korn shell $
Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser #
Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array :/:

Related Documentation

Application Title Part Number
Latest array updates Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Release
Notes
Installation overview Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Start Here 816-0772
Safety procedures Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Regulatory
and Safety Compliance Manual
Site preparation Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Site
Preparation Guide
Installation and Service Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation,
Operation, and Service Manual
Administration Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array
Administrator’s Guide
Cabinet installation Sun StorEdge T3 Array Cabinet Installation
Guide
Disk drive specifications 18 Gbyte, 1-inch, 10K rpm Disk Drive
Specifications
36 Gbyte, 10K rpm Disk Drive Specifications 806-6383
73 Gbyte, 10K rpm, 1.6 Inch Disk Drive Specifications
816-1983
816-0774
816-0778
816-0773
816-0776
806-7979
806-1493
806-4800
Preface xi
Application Title Part Number
Sun StorEdge Component Manager installation
Using Sun StorEdge Component Manager software
Latest Sun StorEdge Component Manager Updates
Sun StorEdge Component Manager Installation Guide - Solaris
Sun StorEdge Component Manager Installation Guide - Windows NT
Sun StorEdge Component Manager User’s Guide
Sun StorEdge Component Manager Release Notes
806-6645
806-6646
806-6647
806-6648

Accessing Sun Documentation Online

You can find the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array documentation and other select product documentation for Network Storage Solutions at:
http://www.sun.com/products-n-solutions/hardware/docs/ Network_Storage_Solutions

Sun Welcomes Your Comments

Sun is interested in improving its documentation and welcomes your comments and suggestions. You can email your comments to Sun at:
docfeedback@sun.com
Please include the part number (816-0777-10) of your document in the subject line of your email.
xii Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
CHAPTER
1

Array Configuration Overview

This chapter describes the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays, the connection ports, and Fibre Channel connections. It also describes basic rules and recommendations for configuring the array, and it lists supported hardware and software platforms.
Note – For installation and cabling information, refer to the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+
Array Installation, Operation, and Service Manual. For software configuration
information, refer to the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Administrator’s Guide.
This chapter is organized as follows:
“Product Description” on page 1
“Configuration Guidelines and Restrictions” on page 8
“Configuration Recommendations” on page 9
“Supported Platforms” on page 9
“Sun Cluster Support” on page 10.

Product Description

The Sun StorEdge T3 array is a high-performance, modular, scalable storage device that contains an internal RAID controller and nine disk drives with Fibre Channel connectivity to the data host. Extensive features include redundant components, notification of failed components, and the ability to replace components while the unit is online. The Sun StorEdge T3+ array provides the same features as the Sun StorEdge T3 array, and includes an updated controller card with direct fiber-optic connectivity and additional memory for data cache. The controller cards of both array models are described in more detail later in this chapter.
reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS)
1
The array can be used either as a standalone storage unit or as a building block, interconnected with other arrays of the same type and configured in various ways to provide a storage solution optimized to the host application. The array can be placed on a table top or rackmounted in a server cabinet or expansion cabinet.
The array is sometimes called a controller unit, which refers to the internal RAID controller on the controller card. Arrays without the controller card are called expansion units. When connected to a controller unit, the expansion unit enables you to increase your storage capacity without the cost of an additional controller. An expansion unit must be connected to a controller unit to operate because it does not have its own controller.
In this document, the Sun StorEdge T3 array and Sun StorEdge T3+ array are referred to as the array, except when necessary to distinguish between models.
Note – The Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays are similar in appearance. In this
document, all illustrations labeled Sun StorEdge T3 array also apply to the Sun StorEdge T3+ array, except when necessary to distinguish specific model features. In these instances, the array model is specified.
Refer to the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for an illustrated breakdown of the array and its component parts.

Controller Card

There are two controller card versions that are specific to the array model. Both controller cards provide the connection ports to cable the array to data and management hosts, but the type of connectors vary between models.
The Sun StorEdge T3 array controller card contains:
One Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) port, which provides data path
connectivity to the application host system. This connector on the Sun StorEdge T3 array requires a media interface adapter (MIA) to connect a fiber-optic cable.
One 10BASE-T Ethernet host interface port (RJ-45). This port provides the
interface between the controller card and the management host system. An unshielded twisted-pair Ethernet cable (category 3) connects the controller to the site’s network hub. This interface enables the administration and management of the array via the Sun StorEdge Component Manager software or the command-line interface (CLI).
One RJ-11 serial port. This serial port is reserved for diagnostic procedures that
can only be performed by qualified service personnel.
FIGURE 1-1 shows the location of the controller card and the connector ports on the
Sun StorEdge T3 array.
2 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Serial port (RJ-11)
10BASE-T Ethernet port (RJ-45)
FC-AL data connection port
Note: FC-AL port requires an MIA for cable connection.
FIGURE 1-1 Sun StorEdge T3 Array Controller Card and Ports
The Sun StorEdge T3+ array controller card contains:
One Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) port using an LC small-form factor
(SFF) connector. The fiber-optic cable that provides data channel connectivity to the array has an LC-SFF connector that attaches directly to the port on the controller card. The other end of the fiber-optic cable has a standard connector (SC) that attaches a host bust adapter (HBA), hub, or switch.
One 10/100BASE-T Ethernet host interface port (RJ-45). This port provides the
interface between the controller card and the management host system. A shielded Ethernet cable (category 5) connects the controller to the site’s network hub. This interface enables the administration and management of the array via the Sun StorEdge Component Manager software or the command-line interface (CLI).
One RJ-45 serial port. This serial port is reserved for diagnostic procedures that
can only be performed by qualified service personnel.
FIGURE 1-2 shows the Sun StorEdge T3+ array controller card and connector ports.
Chapter 1 Array Configuration Overview 3
Serial port (RJ-45)
10/100BASE-T Ethernet port (RJ-45)
FC-AL data connection port (LC-SFF)
FIGURE 1-2 Sun StorEdge T3+ Array Controller Card and Ports

Interconnect Cards

The interconnect cards are alike on both array models. There are two interconnect ports on each card: one input and one output for interconnecting multiple arrays.
The interconnect card provides switch and failover capabilities, as well as an environmental monitor for the array. Each array contains two interconnect cards for redundancy (thus providing a total of four interconnect ports).
FIGURE 1-3 shows the interconnect cards in a Sun StorEdge T3+ array.
4 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
FIGURE 1-3 Interconnect Card and Ports
Interconnect cards
Output
Input
Chapter 1 Array Configuration Overview 5

Array Configurations

Each array uses Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) connections to connect to the application host. An FC-AL connection is a 100-Mbyte/second serial channel that enables multiple devices, such as disk drives and controllers, to be connected.
Two array configurations are supported:
Workgroup. This standalone array is a high-performance, high-RAS configuration
with a single hardware RAID cached controller. The unit is fully populated with redundant hot-swap components and nine disk drives (
FIGURE 1-4).
Application host
FC-AL connection
Ethernet connection
LAN
FIGURE 1-4 Workgroup Configuration
Management host
Ethernet port
Caution – In a workgroup configuration, use a host-based mirroring solution to
protect data. This configuration does not offer the redundancy to provide cache mirroring, and operating without a host-based mirroring solution could lead to data loss in the event of a controller failure.
Enterprise. Also called a partner group, this is a configuration of two controller
units paired using interconnect cables for back-end data and administrative connections. The enterprise configuration provides all the RAS of single controller units, plus redundant hardware RAID controllers with mirrored caches, and redundant host channels for continuous data availability for host applications.
In this document, the terms enterprise configuration and partner group are used interchangeably, but apply to the same type of configuration shown in
FIGURE 1-5.
6 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Alternate master controller unit
Ethernet
Interconnect cables
Master controller unit
FC-AL connection
FIGURE 1-5 Enterprise Configuration
connection
Ethernet connection
LAN
Application host
Host-bus adapters
Management host
Ethernet port
Note – Sun StorEdge T3 array workgroup and enterprise configurations require a
media-interface adapter (MIA) connected to the Fibre Channel port to connect the fiber-optic cable. Sun StorEdge T3+ array configurations support direct FC-AL connections. Refer to the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for specific information on cabling the arrays.
In an enterprise configuration, there is a master controller unit and an alternate master controller unit. In all default enterprise configurations, the master controller unit is the array positioned at the bottom of an array stack in either a rackmounted or tabletop installation. The alternate master controller unit is positioned on top of the master controller unit. The positioning of the master and alternate master controller units is important for cabling the units together correctly, understanding IP address assignments, interpreting array command-line screen output, and determining controller failover and failback conditions.
Note – In an enterprise configuration, you can only interconnect array models of the
same type. For example, you can connect a Sun StorEdge T3+ array to another Sun StorEdge T3+ array, but you cannot connect it to a Sun StorEdge T3 array.
Chapter 1 Array Configuration Overview 7

Configuration Guidelines and Restrictions

Workgroup Configurations:
The media access control (MAC) address is required to assign an IP address to the
controller unit. The MAC address uniquely identifies each node of a network. The MAC address is available on the pull-out tab on the front left side of the array.
A host-based mirroring solution is necessary to protect data in cache.
Sun StorEdge T3 array workgroup configurations are supported in Sun Cluster
2.2 environments. Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array workgroup configurations are supported in Sun Cluster 3.0 environments.
Enterprise Configurations
Partner groups can be connected to more than one host only if the following
conditions exist:
The partner group must be connected to the hosts through a hub.
The configuration must be using Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager software for
multipathing support.
The configuration must be a cluster configuration using Sun Cluster 3.0
software.
You cannot use a daisy-chain configuration to link more than two controller units
together.
You can only connect arrays of the same type model in a partner group.
In a cluster configuration, partner groups are supported using only Sun Cluster
3.0 software. They are not supported with Sun Cluster 2.2 software.
Caution – In an enterprise configuration, make sure you to use the MAC address of
the master controller unit.
8 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001

Configuration Recommendations

Use enterprise configurations for controller redundancy.
Use host-based software such as VERITAS Volume Manager (VxVM), Sun
Enterprise™ Server Alternate Pathing (AP) software, or Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager for multipathing support.
Connect redundant paths to separate host adapters, I/O cards, and system buses.
Configure active paths over separate system buses to maximize bandwidth.
Caution – The array and its global parameters must be tailored to match the I/O
workload for optimum performance. Within a partner group, both units will share the same volume configuration, block size, and cache mode. That is, all cache parameter settings are common to both units within a partner group.

Supported Platforms

Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays are supported on the following host platforms:
Sun Ultra60 and Ultra 80 workstations
Sun Blade1000 workstation
Sun Enterprise 10000, 6x00, 5x00, 4x00, and 3x00 servers
Sun Workgroup 450, 420R, 250, and 220R servers
Sun FireF6x00, F4x10, F4x00, F3x00, and F280R servers
Netrat 1405 server
Tip – For the latest information on supported platforms, refer to the storage
solutions web site at http://www.sun.com/storage and look for details on the Sun StorEdge T3 array product family.
Chapter 1 Array Configuration Overview 9

Supported Software

The following software is supported on Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays:
Solaris 2.6, Solaris 7, and Solaris 8 operating environments
VERITAS Volume Manager 3.04 and later with DMP
Sun Enterprise Server Alternate Pathing (AP) 2.3.1
Sun StorEdge Component Manager 2.1 and later
StorTools3.3 Diagnostics
Sun Cluster 2.2 and 3.0 software (see “Sun Cluster Support” on page 10)
Sun StorEdge Data Management Center 3.0
Sun StorEdge Instant Image 2.0
Sun StorEdge Network Data Replicator (SNDR) 2.0
Solstice Backup5.5.1
Solstice DiskSuite4.2 and 4.2.1
Tip – For the latest information on supported software, refer to the storage solutions
web site at http://www.sun.com/storage and look for details on the Sun StorEdge T3 array product family.

Sun Cluster Support

Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays are supported in Sun Cluster configurations with the following restrictions:
Array controller firmware version 1.17b or later is required on each Sun StorEdge
T3 array.
Array controller firmware version 2.0 or later is required on each Sun StorEdge
T3+ array.
Workgroup configurations are supported in Sun Cluster 2.2 for the Sun StorEdge
T3 array only. Sun Cluster 3.0 environments support both Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array models.
Enterprise configurations are supported only in Sun Cluster 3.0 environments.
Partner groups in a Sun Cluster environment must use Sun StorEdge Traffic
Manager software for multipathing support.
10 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Switches are not supported.
Hubs must be used.
The Sun StorEdge SBus FC-100 (SOC+) HBA and the onboard SOC+ interface in
Sun Fire™ systems are supported.
On Sun Enterprise 6x00/5x00/4x00/3x00 systems, a maximum of 64 arrays are
supported per cluster.
On Sun Enterprise 10000 systems, a maximum of 256 arrays are supported per
cluster.
To ensure full redundancy, host-based mirroring software such as Solstice
DiskSuite (SDS) 4.2 or SDS 4.2.1 must be used.
Solaris 2.6 and Solaris 8 are the only supported operating systems.
Note – Refer to the latest Sun Cluster documentation for more information on Sun
Cluster supported array configurations and restrictions.
Chapter 1 Array Configuration Overview 11
12 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
CHAPTER
2

Configuring Global Parameters

When an array is shipped, the global parameters are set to default values. This chapter describes how to reconfigure your array by changing these default values.
Caution – If you are planning an enterprise configuration using new factory units,
be sure to install and set up the units as a partner group before you power on, and change any parameters or create/change any logical volumes. Refer to the Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation, Operation, and Service Manual for more information.
Note – For more information on changing array global parameters, refer to the Sun
StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Administrator’s Guide.
The following parameters are described in this chapter:
“Cache” on page 13
“Logical Volumes” on page 16
“Using RAID Levels to Configure Redundancy” on page 20

Cache

Each Sun StorEdge T3 array controller unit has 256 Mbytes of data cache; each Sun StorEdge T3+ array controller unit has 1 GByte of data cache. Writing to cache improves write performance by staging data in cache, assembling the data into data stripes, and then destaging the data from cache to disk, when appropriate. This method frees the data host for other operations while cache data is being destaged, and it eliminates the read-modify-write delays seen in non-cache systems. Read cache improves performance by determining which data will be requested for the next read operation and prestaging this data into cache. RAID 5 performance is also improved by coalescing writes.
13

Configuring Cache for Performance and Redundancy

Cache mode can be set to the following values:
Auto. The cache mode is determined as either write-behind or write-through,
based on the I/O profile. If the array has full redundancy available, then caching operates in write-behind mode. If any array component is non-redundant, the caching mode is set to write-through. Read caching is always performed. Auto caching mode provides the best performance while retaining full redundancy protection.
Auto is the default cache mode for Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ arrays.
Write-behind. All read and write operations are written to cache. An algorithm
determines when the data is destaged or moved from cache to disk. Write-behind cache improves performance, because a write to a high-speed cache is faster than a write to a normal disk.
Use write-behind cache mode with a workgroup configuration when you want to force write-behind caching to be used.
Caution – In a workgroup configuration, use a host-based mirroring solution to
protect data. This configuration does not offer the redundancy to provide cache mirroring, and operating without a host-based mirroring solution could lead to data loss in the event of a controller failure.
Write-through. This cache mode forces write-through caching to be used. In
write-through cache mode, data is written through cache in a serial manner and is then written to the disk. Write-through caching does not improve write performance. However, if a subsequent read operation needs the same data, the read performance is improved, because the data is already in cache.
None. No reads or writes are cached.
Note – For full redundancy in an enterprise configuration, set the cache mode and
the mirror variable to Auto. This ensures that the cache is mirrored between controllers and that write-behind cache mode is in effect. If a failure occurs, the data is synchronized to disk, and then write-through mode takes effect. Once the problem has been corrected and all internal components are again optimal, the system will revert to operating in write-behind cache mode.
14 Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001

Configuring Data Block Size

The data block size is the amount of data written to each drive when striping data across drives. (The block size is also known as the stripe unit size.) The block size can be changed only when there are no volumes defined. The block size can be configured as 16 Kbytes, 32 Kbytes, or 64 Kbytes. The default block size is 64 Kbytes.
A cache segment is the amount of data being read into cache. A cache segment is 1/8 of a data block. Therefore, cache segments can be 2 Kbytes, 4 Kbytes, or 8 Kbytes. Because the default block size is 64 Kbytes, the default cache segment size is 8 Kbytes.
Note – The array data block size is independent of I/O block size. Alignment of the
two is not required.

Selecting a Data Block Size

If the I/O initiated from the host is 4 Kbytes, a data block size of 64 Kbytes would force 8 Kbytes of internal disk I/O, wasting 4 Kbytes of the cache segment. Therefore, it would be best to configure 32-Kbyte block sizes, causing 4-Kbyte physical I/O from the disk. If sequential activity occurs, full block writes (32 Kbytes) will take place. For 8-Kbyte I/O or greater from the host, use 64-Kbyte blocks.
Applications benefit from the following data block or stripe unit sizes:
16-Kbyte data block size
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP)
Internet service provider (ISP)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
32-Kbyte data block size
NFSfile system, version 2
Attribute-intensive NFS file system, version 3
64-Kbyte data block size
Data-intensive NFS file system, version 3
Decision Support Systems (DSS)
Data Warehouse (DW)
High Performance Computing (HPC)
Chapter 2 Configuring Global Parameters 15
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