If I remember correctly, back in the old days of NT4.0 NTFS implementation, if a file was 1k or less, the NTFS driver would put the file directly into the MFT. So if you constantly write 1k files, those files live only in the MFT. Very quickly, your performance would drop to zero because the MFT ran out of space[1]. Back then, there was nothing you could do but backup, reformat & restore[2]. I can't remember the reasoning anymore, however it was written about. I think I remember reading or hearing that with NTFS v5, there is more optimization around this.
I haven't had the chance to play with disk layout/performance on shared block devices (iSCSI, Fiber Channel) with virtualization, but for local storage on NTFS what I have been seeing is that it makes some noticable differences for disk I/O if you properly align the partition where your VM's are stored AND align the VM virtual harddisks as well. I'm seeing this using VMWare Virtual Server 1.x & 2, as well as Microsoft Virtual Server 2005. I have not had a chance to play with Hyper-V either. Of course YMMV. Scott [1] Symptom - file could not be saved, even though there was available space being reported to the OS [2] Having done this a few times on large NT4 file servers -----Original Message----- From: Michael B. Smith [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:59 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Speaking of page file If you are using iSCSI, I think it's a waste of time. If you are using sparse disks (those that expand as needed) then I think you will have shot yourself in the foot. For a fixed size drive, I always make the file contiguous on the root partition. I don't see why it could hurt to defrag it. It is supported. I must admit though, the thought had never crossed my mind. I should go play with that some. Regards, Michael B. Smith, MCITP:SA,EMA/MCSE/Exchange MVP My blog: http://TheEssentialExchange.com/blogs/michael I'll be at TEC'2009! http://www.tec2009.com/vegas/index.php -----Original Message----- From: John Cook [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:35 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Speaking of page file What effect (if any) does this have on a virtual drive or is it even supported/recomended???? John W. Cook Systems Administrator Partnership For Strong Families 315 SE 2nd Ave Gainesville, Fl 32601 Office (352) 393-2741 x320 Cell (352) 215-6944 Fax (352) 393-2746 MCSE, MCTS, MCP+I,CompTIA A+, N+ -----Original Message----- From: Michael B. Smith [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:56 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: Speaking of page file I don't think any modern drive cares about the physical location of a file on the platters anymore. Now, Windows operates slightly better if the first few percent of a drive are logically empty (so it doesn't have to search for an open spot to put something). That's one of the prime benefits jkdefrag gives you with its "default" optimization criteria. Regards, Michael B. Smith, MCITP:SA,EMA/MCSE/Exchange MVP My blog: http://TheEssentialExchange.com/blogs/michael I'll be at TEC'2009! http://www.tec2009.com/vegas/index.php -----Original Message----- From: Micheal Espinola Jr [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:23 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Speaking of page file Or on the system drive partition (if you have mutliple). The pagefile will be a lot closer to the inner tracks of the disc, where read/writes are faster because of the closer sector proximity. If you are moving it back to the system partition after it being somewhere else, be sure to use a defragger that can optimize its location back to the beginning of the disc. Or something like that. Someone a bit more tech can feel free to rip me a new one if I said that wrong. -- ME2 On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 10:01 AM, Ames Matthew B <[email protected]> wrote: > Better stick it on a separate disk :-) > > -----Original Message----- > From: Micheal Espinola Jr [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: 29 January 2009 14:57 > To: NT System Admin Issues > Subject: Re: Speaking of page file > > But not recommended. > > -- > ME2 > > > > On Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 9:30 AM, David Lum <[email protected]> wrote: >> Wow, brilliant! So simple, so obvious....explains why I never thought > of >> it J >> >> David Lum // SYSTEMS ENGINEER >> NORTHWEST EVALUATION ASSOCIATION >> (Desk) 971.222.1025 // (Cell) 503.267.9764 >> >> From: Jim Majorowicz [mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:39 PM >> >> To: NT System Admin Issues >> Subject: RE: Speaking of page file >> >> >> >> When I can, I'll create a separate partition just for the page file. >> >> >> >> From: Paul Everett [mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:23 PM >> >> To: NT System Admin Issues >> Subject: Speaking of page file >> >> >> >> Anyone routinely defrag page file on their Servers? >> >> Is there a best practices for this? >> >> What program do you use for this? >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Paul Everett >> IS Dept. >> Lee Mental Health Center >> 239-791-1551 >> >> "Lee Mental Health Center, Inc. providing services through Ruth Cooper > >> Center for Behavioral Health Care and VISTA Behavioral Crisis > Services. >> Visit our website at www.leementalhealth.org to learn more." >> >> Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any >> attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may >> contain confidential and privileged information. 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