First Steps - Sun Microsystems StorEdge3000 Series Manual

Caution – For optimum and successful use of each array, check that you are using
the array with the correct applications (see
the best practices configurations outlined in this manual.

First Steps

There are two simple yet effective approaches for designing a Sun StorEdge 3500
series array solution into your environment. Both methods allow for the rapid
estimation of an appropriate DAS or SAN solution. Regardless of which method is
used, the storage needs of each application and server involved must be identified to
establish the total amount of storage capacity required.
When Designing a Storage Solution for an Existing
Environment
The first method works well for existing environments. Start by identifying the
number of servers that can immediately benefit from the storage the Sun StorEdge
3500 series array provides. A SAN solution can provide the necessary connectivity to
support:
Sun StorEdge 3510 FC Array. Five or more servers. If there are four or fewer
I
servers, a DAS solution is sufficient.
Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA Array. Seven or more servers. If there are six or fewer
I
servers, a DAS solution is sufficient. If you connect two servers to channel 0 or to
channel 1, use host filtering if you want to control host access to logical drives.
With either the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array or the Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array, a
SAN solution can be a powerful option, even when the array is connected to a
number of servers that can otherwise be supported in a DAS solution. Combining
both the Sun StorEdge 3510 FC array and Sun StorEdge 3511 SATA array on the
same SAN allows for a tiered storage strategy, using StorEdge SAM-FS as the data
mover amongst tiers. Determine how much storage is currently accessible to these
servers and plan for that total capacity as the minimum amount of Sun StorEdge
3500 series disk capacity needed.
When Designing a New Storage Solution
Another technique involves matching a particular environment to one of the best
practices solutions described in this document. This approach works particularly
well with new deployments, but it can be used for existing environments as well.
Take note of special features, such as the number of connections between servers and
16 Sun StorEdge 3000 Family Best Practices Manual • June 2004
"Overview" on page 1) and according to