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Exchange 2007 database and SAS 2TB 7500RPM

Hi,

Would 2TB 7500 RPM SAS hard disk not be a problem to be as DB role?

Currently, we are using 145GB 15K SAS hard disk but this is not sufficient for the database size.
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Lee W, MVP
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You're not going to use a SINGLE disk for your mail server?

A database for 2 users?  Yes.  A database for 200 users? Maybe.  Are they hitting the database once a second or once a day?  What kind of testing on your EXISTING system have you done to determine what you need?
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There are three SAS disks (146GB SAS 15K RPM). C: system, D: mailbox,public folder database, E: exchange logs.

That's is the current situation. And now D: drive is running out of space only 1GB left. that is why I am thinking of adding an extra SAS hard disk to the server. And move all mailboxes to a new bigger disk so we have no problem with disk size running out.

There are about 40 users.
If you put the disks in RAID 1 as local storage, I would think it would be fine.

The best way to find out is to add the disks, and then do JetStress (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/bb330849.aspx) which then would test the performance of the spindles (e.g: hard drives) installed.

if you still notice performance issues, add additional hard drives to meet those IOPS.

In my opinion, two of them in RAID 1 should be fine most likely for 40 users.
I am not aware of any SAS 7500 RPM drives that are 2TB.

This sounds more like a SATA 7200 RPM drive that is 2TB.

For 40 users you should be okay. Is this just a single disk though? No RAID? If you plan to expand the current RAID set you will need another 15K RPM SAS drive. If you are creating a new RAID array then get two and do a mirror. Putting your database on a single SATA drive does add quite a lot of risk in the case of hard drive failure.
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The problem is there is not RAID configured on the disks. IT is a single disk C: D: E: no RAID.

This a link they have 2TB SAS
http://accessories.ap.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=au&l=en&s=bsd&cs=aubsd1&sku=400-22018&mfgpid=2406010

My possible options:
1. Get the two more SAS disk to add onto the server
2. Install them and configure RAID 1 on the new disks.
3. Create a database on a new disk and move mailboxes to the database.

But I still need bigger SAS disk in order to keep 130GB database and it will keep growing..even though I do the process as above.
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Exchange is running on PowerEdge T110 Server (Dell),

I asked them what SAS disk is compatible with 146GB 3.5-inch 15K RPM SAS Hard disk -Non Hotplug (this is what we have on server). but they said I can only add the same disk that we have which 146GB. And I asked them again, is it possible to add bigger one and now they are looking for the right one. But I am not sure they can provide me right answer.
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When Dell tech said you can only add the same disk size/speed that you currently have they thought you were going to add a disk to a current array, not create a new array

Absolutely correct. If you want to take one of the existing volumes (e.g: C:\, D:\ or E:\) and raid that off, you cannot mix / match disks with the Perc 6/i controller. Some controllers (such as the LSI one I have) can do what is called "Hybrid" raid, but I would never recommend this for a production server.

As for the original question, I would recommend the following after reading all of the responses..

- Buy 2 more 146 gb 10k (or 15k, dont know what speed you have) SAS disks and add them to your C:\ and D:\ volumes to configure a RAID 1
- Buy x2 2TB 7.2k SAS drives, configure them as RAID1 and then move the databases there via Exchange mangement console.

This will ensure you have the most redundant environment.
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How can I know how many disks can be added to the server? I upgraded RAM today and I saw there was only one cable available for the extra disk. In this case, what options do I have?
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