Thanks, everyone. I got some excellent replies, including some long 
explanations. Appreciate the time you guys took out for the responses.
 
The gist of it i take, is to use RAID10. I have 400MB+ of write cache on the 
controller(s), that the RAID5 LUN(s) could benefit from by filling it up and 
writing out the complete stripe, but come to think of it, it's shared among the 
two Storage Processors, all the LUNs, not just the ones holding the pg_xlog 
directory. The other thing (with Clariion) is the write cache mirroring. Write 
isn't signalled complete to the host until the cache content is mirrored across 
the other SP (and vice-versa), which is a good thing, but this operation could 
potentially become a bottleneck with very high load on the SPs.
 
Also, one would have to fully trust the controller/manufacturer's claim on 
signalling the write completion. And, performance is a priority over the drive 
space lost in RAID10 for me.
 
I can use 4 drives instead of 6.
 
Thanks,
Anjan  

        t-----Original Message----- 
        From: Gregory S. Williamson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
        Sent: Tue 8/16/2005 6:22 PM 
        To: Anjan Dave; pgsql-performance@postgresql.org 
        Cc: 
        Subject: RE: [PERFORM] choosing RAID level for xlogs
        
        

        I would be very cautious about ever using RAID5, despite manufacturers' 
claims to the contrary. The link below is authored by a very knowledgable 
fellow whose posts I know (and trust) from Informix land.

        <http://www.miracleas.com/BAARF/RAID5_versus_RAID10.txt> 

        Greg Williamson 
        DBA 
        GlobeXplorer LLC 


        -----Original Message----- 
        From:   [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Anjan Dave 
        Sent:   Mon 8/15/2005 1:35 PM 
        To:     pgsql-performance@postgresql.org 
        Cc:     
        Subject:        [PERFORM] choosing RAID level for xlogs 
        Hi, 

        

        One simple question. For 125 or more checkpoint segments 
        (checkpoint_timeout is 600 seconds, shared_buffers are at 21760 or 
        170MB) on a very busy database, what is more suitable, a separate 6 
disk 
        RAID5 volume, or a RAID10 volume? Databases will be on separate 
        spindles. Disks are 36GB 15KRPM, 2Gb Fiber Channel. Performance is 
        paramount, but I don't want to use RAID0. 

        

        PG7.4.7 on RHAS 4.0 

        

        I can provide more info if needed. 

        

        Appreciate some recommendations! 

        

        Thanks, 

        Anjan 

        

        
        --- 
        This email message and any included attachments constitute confidential 
        and privileged information intended exclusively for the listed 
        addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, please notify 
        Vantage by immediately telephoning 215-579-8390, extension 1158. In 
        addition, please reply to this message confirming your receipt of the 
        same in error. A copy of your email reply can also be sent to 
        [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please do not disclose, copy, distribute or take 
        any action in reliance on the contents of this information. Kindly 
        destroy all copies of this message and any attachments. Any other use 
of 
        this email is prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. For more 
        information about Vantage, please visit our website at 
        http://www.vantage.com <http://www.vantage.com/> . 
        --- 

        



        !DSPAM:4300fd35105094125621296! 




---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
TIP 9: In versions below 8.0, the planner will ignore your desire to
       choose an index scan if your joining column's datatypes do not
       match

Reply via email to