We are going to install 6.5.2 servers in cluster. For backup purpose we will need to enable transaction logging. it is recommended to use separate hard disk (even more separate controller) for transaction logs. My queries.
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What is general feedback from existing users if we want to use transaction logs for about 500 user mail files with average mailbox size of 125 MB on single Domino cluster.
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We have following disk allocation
Controller 1 : 18GB * 2 Raid 1
8GB for OS and Program files
remaining EMPTY
Controller 2 : 145*4 Raid 5
Fully used for Lotus\Domino\data
If we decide to follow Lotus recommendations we can not use Disks connected to Controller 2. However, Can we use EMPTY space as it is available anyway !!!
What do Experts say ?
Subject: Transaction logging query.
I would recommend a separate RAID 1 mirrored pair of discs for the transaction logging. You can not use the spare space on the OS discs.
You can get away with using the same controller, but not sharing physical discs.
Subject: RE: Transaction logging query.
We already have hardware. May be it’s too late to ask. But, we are yet to have another set of servers. Can following be done ?
We are going to configure clustered Server solution. I will keep my primary server non-transaction logging. On second i.e. Cluster server, I will arrange three different disk sets and one set I can use for transactions. Will this work? i.e. transaction on one of the server in Cluster. If this works, would be great. That will reduce load on primary server and backup will happen quickly from backup server.
How will this work?
Subject: Transaction logging query.
Noone will recommend that you use that OS RAID set for transaction logs. However it might be ok if your hardware is fast enough. I maintain a brand new Windows 2000 server with the following:*1500-2000 concurrent lotus notes mail/calendar users
*One scsi controller has a raid 1 set with 2 partitions, one has the OS the other has the transaction logs
*Another scsi controller has a 6 drive RAID5 set for notes\data.
I was worried this would incur big performance problems but the whole setup seems to be working great! The people that maintain our operating systems observed low overall usage on the transaction logging partition or OS partitions and after checking this out I have to concur. The system in question generates 4 GB of transaction logs every day.
So if you want to try it, just plan it, monitor results, and have a plan to backout if your performance is adversely affected. However, just like IBM, I’ll say that if you can get it in the budget, plan for a separate RAID set if at all possible. Better safe than sorry!
RT