Reference Design Guides

[awedio]

In August 2014, Anton mentioned creating Ref Design Guides http://www.starwindsoftware.com/forums/ ... =45#p22110

"Getting Started" is already re-published using V8 as a core and we're working on a Reference Design Guide. Good news: first one will be Dell R720/730 based

When should we expect the release of the Reference Design Guide?

Any ETA on the Ref Design Guide?

On Sept. 4th, Anatoly said the guides would be ready in a month http://www.starwindsoftware.com/forums/ ... =45#p22136

We should have it approximately in a month. Maybe you can share with us what you'd like to see in the doc as well?

Have the guides been published?

[anton (staff)]

Not yet but we'll do it soon. You can PM or e-mail for the pre-release one.

[Janf1988]

Dear Anton,

Hi, I am James and nice to meet you.
Recently, our company is going to set up a virtualized environment for windows server since our previous host is REALLY old, more than 6 years.

But, it's very hard for our company to set up server-server-shared storage(SAN) infrastructure, it cost almost 700k NTD (almost 23k USD). We are just small to medium size business and can not afford such that bid amount... too crazy.

Ｗe are going to buy dell server and find this post. The configurations of the server:

Dell R720xd x 2
------------For each Dell R720xd------------------
CPU: Intel E5-2620 v2 x2
RAM: 8G x8
HDD: 2.5in SAS 300G x 10 (2 for OS and 8 for storage)
NIC1: Broadcom 5720 QP 1Gb Network Daughter Card x 1
NIC2: Intel X540 DP 10Gb x 1
Raid card: PERC H710P x 1
--------------------------------------------------------
OS: windows server 2012 r2

I read you article a lot but still have no idea about some issues...

1) Is the configurations of the server okey for starwind virtual SAN? (i know the spec is up from you system requirement... just in case...for double check)
2) Should I set up RAID1 for OS' HDD?
3) I know RAID5 is not good for writing. Is Raid0 safe for 8 storage? (Virtualization means high risk, in my opinion)


Since the agent in Taiwan can't answer these clearly (That said they just a software dealer...) I choose to post here...

Thank you. And hope to see your reply.

James,
2014/11/20

[rrbnc]

Those R720xd servers will work fine, if they meet your IOPS needs.

I would not separate OS on dedicated drives. Just use a single RAID10. A separate RAID1 is just wasted disks.

RAID0 should not be used with only two servers. Too risky if one of the servers is offline.

Virtualization is not more risky. Why do you think it is more risky?

[anton (staff)]

BOLD

Very true!

Those R720xd servers will work fine, if they meet your IOPS needs.

I would not separate OS on dedicated drives. Just use a single RAID10. A separate RAID1 is just wasted disks.

RAID0 should not be used with only two servers. Too risky if one of the servers is offline.

Virtualization is not more risky. Why do you think it is more risky?

[Janf1988]

Those R720xd servers will work fine, if they meet your IOPS needs.

I would not separate OS on dedicated drives. Just use a single RAID10. A separate RAID1 is just wasted disks.

RAID0 should not be used with only two servers. Too risky if one of the servers is offline.

Virtualization is not more risky. Why do you think it is more risky?

Dear rrbnc,

Thanks for your advice and help.
1) I would go to check our IOPS needs before deploy this serves. And use single RAID 10 for OS and VM storage.

2) Why I think vitalization is risky, is because:
if anyone host goes down (HD, CPU, RAM or POWER) without HA environment, every VMs would fail and the service on the server would stop working....
That's why I am seeking Starwind Virtual SAN and want to test this software is workable or not.

Thank you very much.

Best wishes,
James

[Anatoly (staff)]

Dear rrbnc, may I wonder do you have some update for us please?

[rrbnc]

Dear rrbnc, may I wonder do you have some update for us please?

Hi Anatoly. Update on what?

[Anatoly (staff)]

Pardon, I`ve misspelled " Janf1988"

Why I think vitalization is risky, is because:
if anyone host goes down (HD, CPU, RAM or POWER) without HA environment, every VMs would fail and the service on the server would stop working....
That's why I am seeking Starwind Virtual SAN and want to test this software is workable or not.

That is the main concern of everybody, so we hear you, and we are here to help you out. if you`ll need anything. Just let us know.

I would go to check our IOPS needs before deploy this serves. And use single RAID 10 for OS and VM storage.

May I wonder do you have some update for us please? Had you any chance to measure the expected IOPS?