I am setting up a couple of SQL servers (Mirrors), using some standard parts that we're using in the datacenter. So I am limited in the hardware utilized (already purchased). The SQL Server will house MULTIPLE databases... from CRM, Large DBs, Website DBs, etc... So there is no focused purpose...
We are using LSI 9271-8i RAID controller (out of the box, no options)... hooked up to 8 x SSDs + 1 x Hard Drive... Here is the following drive setup:
C: Boot Drive ( 2 x SSD = RAID1) - OS + SQL Server Application
D: Database Files (2 x SSD = RAID1) - SQL Database Files
E: Temp_DB ( 2 x SSD = RAID1) - SQL Temp_DB File
F: LogFiles ( 2 x SSD = RAID1) - SQL LogFiles
G: Backup ( 1 x HDD = NON_RAID) - Backup Files Location
I have multiple questions:
1. When setting up the virtual drives as above using LSI Storage Manager... The strip size options are 256KB (Default) and 8KB,16KB,32KB,64KB,128KB,256KB,512KB and 1MB. Which one should be used for each of the drive letters above? How does this relate the to the NTFS Allocation Unit Size (if at all)?
2. When setting up the virtual drives as above using LSI Storage Manager... The Write Policies I assume should be Write Through since I have no Battery Backup (BBU)? As well, I/O Policy has Direct IO and Cached IO options? I assume should be direct IO (since no BBU)...? Any suggestions?
3. Once the virtual drives are setup, what should the NTFS formatted Allocation Unit Size be? 512, 1024, 2048,4096,8192,16K, 32K or 64K for the above drive letters? SQL recommends 64K but do I do that for all drive letters (Besides C: and G:)?
Keep in mind that there is a second server with the exact same setup that will be a realtime mirror of the databases on the first server... ready for fail over.
Any other recommendations?