SAS networks and DAS solutions: from theory to practice

Our article on Shared DAS caused a great response and questions about the possibility of testing. A number of companies took different solutions for tests, but there were so many who wanted to, that we decided to make a universal stand with as many modern data storage technologies as possible.



Configuration under the cut.

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The configuration includes:

1. Cluster-in-a-Box solution : Hyperion RS420 G4 server, which is easily turned into a Fastor FS200 G3 , with Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 installed. Each node has a pair of Xeon E5-2609, 64GB of RAM, Intel 10G dual port, and SAS HBA.
2. Disk shelf on 60 drives : Fastor JS300 G3 .
3. Disk shelf on 24 drives : Fastor JS200 G3 .
4. 10 / 40GbE switch : Eos 410i . (at the same time you can try SDN )
   
5. SAS switch LSI 6160 .
   
   
   
   
6. LSI Syncro Shared DAS Storage Kit.
7. Drives : SAS SSD 400 GB each, unlimited SAS 450 GB 15K, some 6 TB helium SAS disks HGST , 2 TB SAS 7200.
   
8. The required number of standard 1U servers in various configurations.
9. Software.

What can be done:

1. Come and get acquainted with the equipment, see how it looks and what it is. For example, SAS switches for many are a wonder.
2. Test for their tasks SAS network switching.
3. Test high-speed protocols based on 10 / 40GbE interface with RDMA: iSCSI, SMB 3.0.
4. Look at the behavior of various operating systems in the SAS environment and in solutions like Cluster-in-a-Box. The behavior of Linux in Cluster-in-a-Box also raised many questions.

PS: Revocation after testing the configuration with SSD cache and 68 SAS disks with iSCSI access:
"We first saw that the processors on the database servers are 100% loaded!"

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