I've upgraded our SQL2k server to cluster using Dell 2650's attached to Powervault chasis -- U320 all the way through. Our db's are 90% read, and performance had degraded significantly. Anyyone able to suggest a better external raid config and still keep my u320 15k scsi disks? I see the Hp offerings, but not sure if they work with dell's. Dells only suggestion was the EMC CX400 fibre. Looked on the HCL, but didn't see any obvious choices. Assume the degradation has to do with enabling cluster mode on the Perc 4 cards.

You are correct. Cluster mode disables all write cache, which will cause
severe performance degradation. Unfortunately, this is essential to cluster
mode since data in write cache would be lost during a failover, causing a
corrupt database. As long as you use SCSI disks in a cluster this will be a
problem. The CX line of products uses Fibre Channel drives and the cache is
in the enclosure. Therefore write cache is available regardless of which
host is in control.

--
Geoff N. Hiten
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Senior Database Administrator
Careerbuilder.com

I support the Professional Association for SQL Server
www.sqlpass.org

"open to suggestions" <open to suggestions (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote
in message news4048111-0A5C-461F-9AFA-07F1464CA25D (AT) microsoft (DOT) com...
performance had degraded significantly. Anyyone able to suggest a better
external raid config and still keep my u320 15k scsi disks? I see the Hp
offerings, but not sure if they work with dell's. Dells only suggestion was
the EMC CX400 fibre. Looked on the HCL, but didn't see any obvious choices.
Assume the degradation has to do with enabling cluster mode on the Perc 4
cards.