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Contents
Prefaceix
1.Array Configuration Overview1
Product Description1
Controller Card2
Interconnect Cards4
Array Configurations6
Configuration Guidelines and Restrictions8
Configuration Recommendations9
Supported Platforms9
Supported Software10
Sun Cluster Support10
2.Configuring Global Parameters13
Cache13
Configuring Cache for Performance and Redundancy14
Configuring Data Block Size15
Selecting a Data Block Size15
Enabling Mirrored Cache16
Configuring Cache Allocation16
iii
Logical Volumes16
Guidelines for Configuring Logical Volumes17
Determining How Many Logical Volumes You Need17
Determining Which RAID Level You Need18
Determining Whether You Need a Hot Spare18
Creating and Labeling a Logical Volume19
Setting the LUN Reconstruction Rate19
Using RAID Levels to Configure Redundancy20
RAID 021
RAID 121
RAID 521
Configuring RAID Levels22
3.Configuring Partner Groups23
Understanding Partner Groups23
How Partner Groups Work25
Creating Partner Groups26
4.Configuration Examples27
Direct Host Connection27
Single Host With One Controller Unit28
Single Host With Two Controller Units Configured as a Partner Group29
Host Multipathing Management Software30
Single Host With Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner
Groups31
Single Host With Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner
Groups32
Hub Host Connection34
Single Host With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two
Partner Groups34
ivSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Single Host With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four
Partner Groups36
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units38
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units40
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two
Partner Groups42
Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four
Partner Groups44
Switch Host Connection46
Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Two Controller Units46
Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Eight Controller Units48
5.Host Connections51
Sun Enterprise SBus+ and Graphics+
I/O Boards52
System Requirements52
Sun StorEdge PCI FC-100 Host Bus Adapter53
System Requirements53
Sun StorEdge SBus FC-100 Host Bus Adapter54
System Requirements54
Sun StorEdge PCI Single Fibre Channel Network Adapter55
System Requirements55
Sun StorEdge PCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter56
System Requirements56
Sun StorEdge CompactPCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter57
System Requirements57
6.Array Cabling59
Overview of Array Cabling59
Data Path59
Contentsv
Administration Path60
Connecting Partner Groups60
Workgroup Configurations62
Enterprise Configurations63
Glossary65
viSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
Figures
FIGURE 1-1Sun StorEdge T3 Array Controller Card and Ports 3
FIGURE 1-2Sun StorEdge T3+ Array Controller Card and Ports 4
FIGURE 1-3Interconnect Card and Ports 5
FIGURE 1-4Workgroup Configuration 6
FIGURE 1-5Enterprise Configuration 7
FIGURE 3-1Sun StorEdge T3 Array Partner Group 24
FIGURE 4-1Single Host Connected to One Controller Unit 28
FIGURE 4-2Single Host With Two Controller Units Configured as a Partner Group 29
FIGURE 4-3Failover Configuration 30
FIGURE 4-4Single Host With Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 31
FIGURE 4-5Single Host With Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner Groups 33
FIGURE 4-6Single Host With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 35
FIGURE 4-7Single Host With Two Hubs Configured and Eight Controller Units as Four Partner
Groups 37
FIGURE 4-8Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units 39
FIGURE 4-9Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units 41
FIGURE 4-10Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Four Controller Units Configured as Two Partner Groups 43
FIGURE 4-11Dual Hosts With Two Hubs and Eight Controller Units Configured as Four Partner
Groups 45
FIGURE 4-12Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Two Controller Units 47
FIGURE 4-13Dual Hosts With Two Switches and Eight Controller Units 49
viiiSun 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 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
TypefaceMeaningExamples
AaBbCc123The names of commands, files,
and directories; on-screen
computer output
AaBbCc123
AaBbCc123Book 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
ShellPrompt
C shellmachine_name%
C shell superusermachine_name#
Bourne shell and Korn shell$
Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser#
Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ array:/:
Related Documentation
ApplicationTitlePart Number
Latest array updatesSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Release
Notes
Installation overviewSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Start Here816-0772
Safety proceduresSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Regulatory
and Safety Compliance Manual
Site preparationSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Site
Preparation Guide
Installation and ServiceSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Installation,
Operation, and Service Manual
AdministrationSun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array
Administrator’s Guide
Cabinet installationSun StorEdge T3 Array Cabinet Installation
Guide
Disk drive specifications18 Gbyte, 1-inch, 10K rpm Disk Drive
Specifications
36 Gbyte, 10K rpm Disk Drive Specifications806-6383
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
Prefacexi
ApplicationTitlePart 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:
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-lineinterface (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.
2Sun 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 1Array Configuration Overview3
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.
4Sun StorEdge T3 and T3+ Array Configuration Guide • August 2001
FIGURE 1-3 Interconnect Card and Ports
Interconnect cards
Output
Input
Chapter 1Array Configuration Overview5
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.
6Sun 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, andService Manual for specific information on cabling the arrays.
In an enterprise configuration, there is a master controller unit and an alternate mastercontroller 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 1Array Configuration Overview7
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.
8Sun 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 Ultra™ 60 and Ultra 80 workstations
■ Sun Blade™ 1000 workstation
■ Sun Enterprise 10000, 6x00, 5x00, 4x00, and 3x00 servers
■ Sun Workgroup 450, 420R, 250, and 220R servers
■ Sun Fire™ F6x00, F4x10, F4x00, F3x00, and F280R servers
■ Netra™ t 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 1Array Configuration Overview9
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
■ StorTools™ 3.3 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 Backup™ 5.5.1
■ Solstice DiskSuite™ 4.2 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.
10Sun 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 1Array Configuration Overview11
12Sun 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 SunStorEdge 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.
14Sun 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
■ NFS™ file 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 2Configuring Global Parameters15
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