Best controller for Raid 10
I have the following hardware setup and need help figuring what settings to use on the Raid controller. The controller is a Perc 6i with a battery backup. and the drives are four, 146GB 15k 64Mb cache in a Raid 10. The server will be used for VDI.
The settings and choices are the following:
Stripe Element Size: 8KB, 16KB, 32KB, 64KB (Default), 128KB, 256KB, 512KB, 1MB
Read Policy: No Read Ahead (Default), Read Ahead, Adaptive Read Ahead
Write Policy: Write Through, Write Back (Default)
Force WB with no Battery: Unchecked (default)
With up to 40+¿ users using the single Server 2008 Instance (nComputing VDI), I would like to maximize performance for users.
Thanks.
The settings and choices are the following:
Stripe Element Size: 8KB, 16KB, 32KB, 64KB (Default), 128KB, 256KB, 512KB, 1MB
Read Policy: No Read Ahead (Default), Read Ahead, Adaptive Read Ahead
Write Policy: Write Through, Write Back (Default)
Force WB with no Battery: Unchecked (default)
With up to 40+¿ users using the single Server 2008 Instance (nComputing VDI), I would like to maximize performance for users.
Thanks.
Aaron Tomosky
If you are supporting vdi for 40 users, you won't be happy with 4 spinning disks (even 15k) in a raid 10. If you only have room for 4 disks you have to go ssd for that kind if io need. Id suggest the intel s3700.
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ASKER
OK, I think I will use "Adaptive Read Ahead" and "Write Back" (may need a new battery) so, I guess what I really need to know, is "What stripe element size I should select?"
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If you are going to use a WBC then a battery is Mandatory, the array probably wont let you turn it on without a battery.
ASKER
Yes, mainly office apps, internet browsing, printing, maybe some movie maker and voice recording for foreign language.
I would look at the PERC 700 and use cachcade with a supported SSD.
Booting 40 vdi workstations at the same time will bring the system to a crawl.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/perc-h700-cachecade.pdf
Booting 40 vdi workstations at the same time will bring the system to a crawl.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pedge/en/perc-h700-cachecade.pdf
200gb intel s3700 SSDs are $500 each. Don't mess around with spinning drives for vdi, even if they are 15k rpm.
ASKER
Ok, I would love to have SSD's and a perc700 controller but, write now, what I have is what I have. So I guess I'm still looking for a couple more thoughts on the stripe element size.
Did you read my post?
The Dell article gives performance results based on usage.
The Dell article gives performance results based on usage.
ASKER
I did read it but just wanted too see if anyone also had any additional first hand experience.