Hardware Configuration

I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
all input on this is much appreciated.
steve.Steve,
In general, if the hard disk of the computer has a write-caching disk
controller, disable it. Unless a write-caching disk controller is designed
specifically for a database (basically battery-backed), it can seriously
threaten SQL Server data integrity.
hth
Quentin
"molsonexpert" <imdrunk@.work.ca> wrote in message
news:uKwLOyisEHA.2788@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
> database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
> volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
> cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
> Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
> write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
> understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
> all input on this is much appreciated.
> steve.
>

Hardware Configuration

I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
all input on this is much appreciated.
steve.
Steve,
In general, if the hard disk of the computer has a write-caching disk
controller, disable it. Unless a write-caching disk controller is designed
specifically for a database (basically battery-backed), it can seriously
threaten SQL Server data integrity.
hth
Quentin
"molsonexpert" <imdrunk@.work.ca> wrote in message
news:uKwLOyisEHA.2788@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
> database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
> volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
> cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
> Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
> write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
> understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
> all input on this is much appreciated.
> steve.
>

Hardware Configuration

I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
all input on this is much appreciated.
steve.Steve,
In general, if the hard disk of the computer has a write-caching disk
controller, disable it. Unless a write-caching disk controller is designed
specifically for a database (basically battery-backed), it can seriously
threaten SQL Server data integrity.
hth
Quentin
"molsonexpert" <imdrunk@.work.ca> wrote in message
news:uKwLOyisEHA.2788@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I'm currently rebuilding an IBM server that I'd like to use as a SQL 7.0
> database server. Two items I'd like some feedback on: when creating a new
> volume (it's Windows 2000 Server) to host the databases, how important is
> cluster (i.e. allocation unit) size? The volume I've created is 25 Gb.
> Second, I'm using a RAID controller with hard drives which support
> write-caching, with the two options being write-through and write-back. I
> understand write-caching isn't the most desirable thing with SQL? Any and
> all input on this is much appreciated.
> steve.
>