Entry level SAN
Continuing the topic of SAN , I want to write about entry-level systems. Suppose we have a small company that has a budget for moving to a SAN. Let's see what options there are, what we can get and for what money.
To begin with, let's define FC or SAS . We assume that we have 3 servers (if we take more - there is not much point in using SAS), and we need 10 terabytes of storage space for the company's datadownloaded from torrents .
We need at the minimum spending of the budget to get the maximum exchange rate, the minimum cost of a megabyte and, ideally, the possibility of expanding the system in the future.
To begin, consider the solutions on SAS. With sufficient speed (3 gigabits), acceptable range (8 meters), we get a scalable solution up to ~ 60 TB. At the same time, we can add another array only by adding additional adapters to the server. Refusing switches, we win on money, but lose scalability.
')
Our candidates:
SUN: Sun StorageTek 2530 Array
HP: HP StorageWorks 2000sa G2 Modular Smart Array
IBM: IBM System Storage DS3200
Let us reduce the systems to a table and see what we got.
Prices in the table are approximate, were taken from the product configurator on the manufacturer's website. In SUN and IBM drives 15k RPM, in HP-10k.
We see that, all other things being approximately equal, HP wins significantly in price and scalability.
I specifically did not take many parameters for comparison, all 3 systems are entry-level, rack-mounted, each array consists of a controller module with disks and shelves with additional disks.
HP wins by a large margin, but in reality everything can go completely differently, especially if the competition is held - the amount is enough to ask for discounts from manufacturers, and how much they throw off depends on the seller. So if you are interested in getting the best price - arrange a competition or bidding.
We will also need SAS adapters, when choosing them, we must look at the server model in which the adapter is placed - and take the native one, and in the case of self-collection, it is advisable to take it from the array manufacturer.
In this variant we get a system with 1 scalable array, to which servers are directly connected. If we do not need redundancy - we can connect each server via 1 channel, if redundancy is needed - we will have to use 2 SAS channels.
The system allows us to simply increase the volume, but does not allow connecting more N servers, where N is the number of ports on the array. In case we want to use 2 or more storage systems -hemorrhoids are waiting for us with an exciting job of integrating the systems among themselves so as to make optimal use of disk space.
And we must remember that when using SAS, we are limited to a cable length of 8 meters, therefore, the server and the array will have to be located in the same room.
Now let's see what we have for FC.
We will choose the younger model of the switch so far, if that - additional switches can be added later.
We will choose between
Brocade 300 SAN Switch and Cisco MDS 9124
Comparison table:
Switches are similar in almost all parameters, except for speed and price. As a rule, Brocade is put in small SANs, they are inexpensive, easily configured and scaled.
Both here and there we can take the basic configuration with 8 ports and then build it up either by adding 8 ports each, or by purchasing 1 “long-range” modules per 10 km.
As a rule, Elsie organizes 2 sites - it’s considered good form to put on each pair of switches and connect the sites with 2 links (if you really wantto cut the loot for reliability, you can make 4 links).
Let's go to the storage systems.
Since we are dealing with FC, it’s worth a closer look at EMC products.
What will we choose from?
Sun StorageTek 2540 Array
HP StorageWorks MSA2312fc
IBM System Storage DS3400
EMC CLARiiON AX4
* I did not find online prices for this array, there is only one advertising price, I had to estimate it in parrots. In general, EMC has a very flexible pricing policy; a good big vendor can get a good discount.
Now we can draw conclusions. As usual, HP made everyone with its aggressive pricing policy, however, we have a dark horse - EMC, which can easily offer a good price and supports VMWare well.
With a budget of $ 40,000, it is possible to build an entry-level SAN that will cover the needs of the organization for a couple of years, and later will provide an opportunity to expand the system freely.
At the initial stage, we will not have to think too much about the topology of the system; we can freely add both servers and storage systems to the system. With further growth, it is worth considering the extent to which the system will grow, consider the topology and distribution of information on storage systems.
When using optics, we are not very limited in distance; when using different converters and cables, the range can be from 85 to 150 meters.
Results
With a comparable budget, a system with a SAN gives us greater flexibility, speed, scalability and security. If there is a possibility, it is better to put funds in a budget for a SAN.
To begin with, let's define FC or SAS . We assume that we have 3 servers (if we take more - there is not much point in using SAS), and we need 10 terabytes of storage space for the company's data
We need at the minimum spending of the budget to get the maximum exchange rate, the minimum cost of a megabyte and, ideally, the possibility of expanding the system in the future.
To begin, consider the solutions on SAS. With sufficient speed (3 gigabits), acceptable range (8 meters), we get a scalable solution up to ~ 60 TB. At the same time, we can add another array only by adding additional adapters to the server. Refusing switches, we win on money, but lose scalability.
')
Our candidates:
SUN: Sun StorageTek 2530 Array
HP: HP StorageWorks 2000sa G2 Modular Smart Array
IBM: IBM System Storage DS3200
Let us reduce the systems to a table and see what we got.
| SUN | HP | Ibm | |
| Number of disks | 48 disks, from 1500 GB to 96 TB. | 99 SFF disks or 60 LFF disks | 48 hard drives with SAS interface (using three EXP3000 expansion units) |
| Raid | 0, 1, (1 + 0), 3, 5, and 6 (p + q) | 0,1,3,5,6, 10, 50 | RAID-0, -1, -3, -5, -10 |
| Cache | 512 MB / controller, 2 GB / system | 1GB / controller, no battery (capacitors, CompactFlash) | 512 MB cache with battery backup and up to 1 GB capacity |
| Controller | 1 or 2 SAS controllers | 2 MSA2300sa G2, maximum | Two active devices |
| Price 10 TB | ~ $ 40,000 | ~ $ 30,000 | ~ $ 44000 |
Prices in the table are approximate, were taken from the product configurator on the manufacturer's website. In SUN and IBM drives 15k RPM, in HP-10k.
We see that, all other things being approximately equal, HP wins significantly in price and scalability.
I specifically did not take many parameters for comparison, all 3 systems are entry-level, rack-mounted, each array consists of a controller module with disks and shelves with additional disks.
HP wins by a large margin, but in reality everything can go completely differently, especially if the competition is held - the amount is enough to ask for discounts from manufacturers, and how much they throw off depends on the seller. So if you are interested in getting the best price - arrange a competition or bidding.
We will also need SAS adapters, when choosing them, we must look at the server model in which the adapter is placed - and take the native one, and in the case of self-collection, it is advisable to take it from the array manufacturer.
In this variant we get a system with 1 scalable array, to which servers are directly connected. If we do not need redundancy - we can connect each server via 1 channel, if redundancy is needed - we will have to use 2 SAS channels.
The system allows us to simply increase the volume, but does not allow connecting more N servers, where N is the number of ports on the array. In case we want to use 2 or more storage systems -
And we must remember that when using SAS, we are limited to a cable length of 8 meters, therefore, the server and the array will have to be located in the same room.
Now let's see what we have for FC.
We will choose the younger model of the switch so far, if that - additional switches can be added later.
We will choose between
Brocade 300 SAN Switch and Cisco MDS 9124
Comparison table:
| Brocade 300 SAN switch | Cisco MDS 9124 | |
| Number of ports | 24 | 24 |
| Max speed | 8 Gbps | 4 Gbps |
| Port licenses | 8 each | 8 each |
| Price | $ 3,500 | $ 5000 |
Switches are similar in almost all parameters, except for speed and price. As a rule, Brocade is put in small SANs, they are inexpensive, easily configured and scaled.
Both here and there we can take the basic configuration with 8 ports and then build it up either by adding 8 ports each, or by purchasing 1 “long-range” modules per 10 km.
As a rule, Elsie organizes 2 sites - it’s considered good form to put on each pair of switches and connect the sites with 2 links (if you really want
Let's go to the storage systems.
Since we are dealing with FC, it’s worth a closer look at EMC products.
What will we choose from?
Sun StorageTek 2540 Array
HP StorageWorks MSA2312fc
IBM System Storage DS3400
EMC CLARiiON AX4
| Sun StorageTek 2540 | HP StorageWorks MSA2312fc | IBM System Storage DS3400 | EMC CLARiiON AX4 | |
| Number of disks | from 5 to 48 - from 730 GB to 48 TB | 99 SFF disks or 60 LFF disks | 48 SAS or SATA (with three shelves EXP3000 expansion) | 4-60 (with expansion pack) |
| Raid | 0, 1, (1 + 0), 3, 5, 6 (p + q) | 0,1,3,5,6, 10, 50 | RAID 0, -1, -3, -5, -6, -10 | RAID 1/0, RAID 3, RAID 5 |
| Cache | 512 MB or 1 GB / controller (up to 2 GB / system) | 1GB Read / Write. ECC with flash backup | 512 MB, upgrade to 1 GB | 1 GB of memory per storage processor, up to 2 processors |
| Controller | 1 or 2 controllers, 2-4 FC ports on the controller | 2xFC 4 Gb per controller | 2xFC 4 Gb per controller | 2xFC 4 Gb per controller |
| Price 10 TB | ~ $ 46000 | ~ $ 34000 | ~ $ 46000 | $ 34,000 * |
* I did not find online prices for this array, there is only one advertising price, I had to estimate it in parrots. In general, EMC has a very flexible pricing policy; a good big vendor can get a good discount.
Now we can draw conclusions. As usual, HP made everyone with its aggressive pricing policy, however, we have a dark horse - EMC, which can easily offer a good price and supports VMWare well.
With a budget of $ 40,000, it is possible to build an entry-level SAN that will cover the needs of the organization for a couple of years, and later will provide an opportunity to expand the system freely.
At the initial stage, we will not have to think too much about the topology of the system; we can freely add both servers and storage systems to the system. With further growth, it is worth considering the extent to which the system will grow, consider the topology and distribution of information on storage systems.
When using optics, we are not very limited in distance; when using different converters and cables, the range can be from 85 to 150 meters.
Results
With a comparable budget, a system with a SAN gives us greater flexibility, speed, scalability and security. If there is a possibility, it is better to put funds in a budget for a SAN.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/81118/
All Articles