I'm currently working with a Dell R640 server that has a PERC H730 RAID controller, configured with 8 SAS SSDs in a RAID 10 setup for SQL Server in an OLTP environment. The performance is adequate, but I've identified certain chokepoints where upgrading to NVMe storage could provide a boost. I've always configured storage systems using traditional RAID methods, swapping out drives when they fail and managing the array's rebuilds. Since I haven't specified an NVMe-based server before, I'm curious if the same concepts still apply. A few years back, NVMe was a niche expansion card type, but now it's more common. What should I keep in mind if I want to leverage NVMe speeds and IOPS while ensuring there's redundancy in case of drive failure?
3 Answers
Absolutely! There are hardware RAID controllers designed specifically for NVMe that function similarly to what you're already using with SAS drives. One thing to note, though, is that NVMe is so fast you might not even need a battery-backed cache; the performance is that good! And if you're running your database servers on bare metal, switching to virtualization with software RAID can deliver a nice performance boost without dealing with the limitations of certain RAID cards. Personally, I've had a rough time with Dell PERC controllers regarding SSD support—TRIM functions often don't work properly unless you're in HBA mode. Software RAID could save you from those headaches!
Honestly, NVMe is just a faster version of what you're already accustomed to. RAM > SSD > HDD in terms of speed! It's still about having a card cache for better write performance, especially during power failures. Also, you're still looking at hot-swappable drives and RAID benefits the same as always. Just consider exploring newer file systems; sometimes using an HBA card with OS-level RAID can be more efficient.
You know, it's pretty much the same game with NVMe as it is with other types of storage. Our servers are set up with NVMe backplanes, allowing for hot-swappable drives in the front. You could use things like Intel's VROC for RAID on the CPU side, or rely on Windows' Storage Spaces and Storage Spaces Direct for management. It keeps your options open!
Great insights! What software RAID do you recommend? Is Windows Storage Spaces a solid choice?