Re: Windows Server 2003 Storport Action / Experiences ?

• Previous message: Michael D. Ober: "Re: 2003 NLB and SQL"
• In reply to: Jeff Goldner [MS]: "Re: Windows Server 2003 Storport Action / Experiences ?"
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:13:13 -0000

thanks Jeff (and Ryan and Geoff)

The Servers are quite macho / 4 x Operton on a HP DL 585 , 8GB RAM and prob
up to 15 spindles for some data. Or is that quite weedy these days ? :-)

thanks again
Andy.
"Jeff Goldner [MS]" <jeffgo@iworkatmicrosoft> wrote in message
news:eP0bHcvAFHA.4044@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> If you are using QLogic HBAs, single HBA zoning is a must. Since QLogic
> loads firmware from the driver, that's one less thing to worry about (the
> BIOS firmware image is not used at runtime).
>
> In this configuration, you are not likely to see any perf differences.
> This is more likely to be shown on macho servers with many adapters and
> many spindles. Not all HBA vendors have tuned their drivers for Storport
> either and this is an ongoing process so stay up-to-date with latest
> qualified driver supported by your storage vendor.
>
> Jeff [MS]
>
> "Geoff N. Hiten" <SRDBA@Careerbuilder.com> wrote in message
> news:%23G$4RxoAFHA.824@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>>I don't think EMC fully supports MPIO yet, but they are building a future
>> version of PowerPath around it. I have a couple of CX-600s using McData
>> switches and 4 Emulex HBAs per host node. Single-HBA zoning is the only
>> way
>> to get 16 pathways to work. We recently upgraded to the latest PowerPath
>> to
>> get StorPort support. Emulex had a bug where it didn't release the SCSI
>> reservation on the bus if the host bluescreened. Clustering without
>> failover isn't very fun. So far (60-90 days) there have been no
>> problems.
>> My counterpart here has a CX-700 with QLogic HBAs and hasn't had any
>> problems with connectivity. Don't ask about DAE reliability and Clariion
>> stability. I think they have the bugs out of the CX-700 line by now. At
>> least he seems to be getting some sleep lately.
>>
>> --
>> Geoff N. Hiten
>> Microsoft SQL Server MVP
>> Senior Database Administrator
>> Careerbuilder.com
>>
>> I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
>> www.sqlpass.org
>>
>> "Andy Ball" <ng@spamno77greenfell.com> wrote in message
>> news:eGQczqoAFHA.2640@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>>> Ryan,
>>>
>>> thanks for that , good to hear someone using a similar config to ours is
>> not
>>> having probs. We are using McData switches.
>>>
>>> Hear you re Firmware / Drivers etc, we have been very careful in the
>>> past
>>> with this.
>>>
>>> One thing I didn't mention is that we use EMC Powerpath for MPIO with 2
>>> QL2340's in each host. We don't intend to use the Win2k3 MPIO.
>>>
>>> thanks again,
>>> Andy.
>>>
>>> "Ryan Sokolowski [Avanade]" <ryan@newsgroups.avanade.com> wrote in
>>> message
>>> news:%23UC4K6kAFHA.2012@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>> > Yes, I've done implementations with almost this exact config...QLogic
>>> > 2340s and EMC CLARiiON...also combined it with Boot-from-SAN (but was
>>> > on
>>> > Dell servers). Everything worked very nicely; be sure to get the
>>> > EMC-specific Storport drivers directly from the QLogic web site for
>>> > best
>>> > results.
>>> >
>>> > Also, make sure everything is up-to-snuff with your HBA firmware,
>>> > server
>>> > BIOSes, etc. You wouldn't believe how minor differences can make a
>>> > difference sometimes...
>>> >
>>> > I didn't notice any performance issues with the combination - I've
>> always
>>> > liked the QLogic HBAs as well as the Emulex ones (bonus: you can save
>> some
>>> > money as the QLogic ones can be less expensive). Many times your
>>> > performance issues can be resolved by ensuring that you know what you
>> are
>>> > doing with regards to SAN switch zoning, multipathing, cabling, etc.
>>> >
>>> > EMC preaches "Single HBA Zoning" and I subscribe to that philosophy.
>> EMC
>>> > has some great documents on their site around HBA / hardware
>> compatibility
>>> > testing, so check there...Brocade (if that's your switch vendor [and I
>>> > hope for you that they are]) also has good information on their
>>> > Brocade
>>> > Connect site...good resources abound...
>>> >
>>> > Best of luck to you!
>>> >
>>> > --
>>> > Ryan Sokolowski
>>> > MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, BCFP
>>> > Avanade
>>> > http://www.Avanade.com
>>> >
>>> > "A troubleshooter's best tool is the Event Viewer and understanding
>>> > the
>>> > events and messages contained therein."
>>> >
>>> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>>> > rights.
>>> >
>>> > "Andy Ball" <ng@spamno77greenfell.com> wrote in message
>>> > news:egc3v6GAFHA.1564@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>>> >> Looking to do a Windows Server 2003 build for Exchange \ SQL Server
>>> >> and
>>> >> been researching about the new Storport driver model as per link
>>> >> below.
>>> >>
>>> >> All sounds good, seems the best way to go but wondering if anyone
>>> >> here
>>> >> has real world experiences to share ? Number one concern is stability
>>> >> obviously , but also would be interested to hear of any benchmark /
>>> >> performance stuff. Aiming to do our own of course
>>> >>
>>> >>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/storage/technologies/storport/default.mspx
>>> >>
>>> >> What I know already :
>>> >>
>>> >> - Vendor Driver / Firmware / Match up / HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL
>>> >> :-)
>>> >> - Check Vendor support.
>>> >> - Test Test Test Test with realistic workloads.
>>> >> - Operational Testing / failover etc.
>>> >> - Hotfixes -
>>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;883646
>>> >>
>>> >> Environment is HP DL580/585 QLogic 2340 HBA's , EMC Clariion Cx700
>>> >>
>>> >> cheers,
>>> >> Andy.
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

• Previous message: Michael D. Ober: "Re: 2003 NLB and SQL"
• In reply to: Jeff Goldner [MS]: "Re: Windows Server 2003 Storport Action / Experiences ?"
• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]