One server to rule them all

[ochadd]

Can't decide on the best way to handle storage needs. It will replace five, four year old servers if one of the server rooms burn down. Looking for suggestions.

47 GB OS and app installs
73 GB of sql data that needs fast storage
110 GB of email that needs kinda fast storage
175 GB of files and access databases that don't need fast storage

Currently the sql data is broken up into 20GB chunks each running on it's own three spindle RAID 5 set using 15k rpm disks. Each set doesn't go over a queue depth of 2.

The 110GB of email and 175 GB of files are both running on the same RAID 5 set using four 7200 rpm drives. Queue depth can get up to 3 per spindle. It needs an upgrade...

Seeing as how I'm obsessed with SSDs I'm leaning towards a couple 80GB X25m in RAID 0 for the SQL data. The OS install and everything else would be on a 4 drive RAID 10 set using 300GB Vraptors. More than likely an 8 drive RAID 10 set using Vraptors would probably be enough but I'm just not sure.

Is it a good practice to run multiple types/speeds of disks on the same controller? SSD and Vraptors on the same 8 channel card? Multiple 4 channel cards?

Never built or bought a machine to handle such a varied work load.


One CORE i7 processor and 12 GB of ram will more than replace the machines I'm looking to do. Dual gigabit on board NICs cover the connection. Server 2008 Enterprise and MS SQL Enterprise covers the software. I'm pretty sure I can get away with a single OS install and use separate SQL instances.

 

[yinan]

You are going to run this all under one OS instance? Not a good idea...

 

[ochadd]

Originally posted by: yinan
You are going to run this all under one OS instance? Not a good idea...

Could you elaborate on that?

Most likely it would only have to pick up a fraction of the load. Their are two server room locations in two different facilities. It would function as a domain controller only during normal business. In the event one of the server rooms is destroyed it could take over for a couple machines.

 

[yinan]

I would deploy each role in a virtual machine. SQL Server since 2005 has the ability to replicate the databases amongst other SQL servers. Exchange 2007+ also has the ability to replicate databases. For the file servers I would look into DFS as well.

Having different operating systems for each role ensures that nothing interferes with another application.

Also, in low budget disaster recovery scenarios, such as this you really arent looking for speed, you are looking for making sure everything is running.