SSD for ZFS

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packetboy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
288
Finishing up specing the "controller" for my 'ZFS monster' project. Looking at using a SuperMicro case with 16 2.5inch SAS trays on the front of the case. We plan to initially connect 8 of these to the eight on-board SAS ports on the motherboard we are using.

So it will look like this:

SF8087 Port 1:
1--SATA 250Gb (OS mirror #1)
2--SSD (ZIL mirror #1)
3--SSD (L2ARC Strip #1)
4--SSD (L2ARC Strip #2)

SF8087 Port 2:
5--SATA 250Gb (OS mirror #2)
6--SSD (ZIL mirror #2)
7--SSD (L2ARC Strip #3)
8--SSD (L2ARC Strip #4)

In summary, Mirror O/S across two physical drives, Mirror the ZIL across two SSDs, and then four SSDs stripped for the L2ARC.

Does this make sense?

The last remaining question is which SSDs to use??

Thoughts?

I have to build TWO of these controllers and would like to limit SSD costs for each to $1500....$2000 absolutely max.
 
Usage is large centralized storage for the following applications:

* mysql database
* iScsi boot for VMware server - Will be hosting drive images for 200-400 Vms, HOWEVER, most of the drive images should be identical so am hoping to use cloning and deduping

* low-volume access bulk data store (e.g. 10s of TBs of data that get's read once or twice and then we just need near-line access to in case we have to reanalyze it later).
 
I think with that many SSDs your budget is going to get tossed to the wolves. how hard will the VMs be hitting the iSCSI targets? and how often? since L2ARC cache only really helps with random reads, it wont do anything for sequentials.

Seems like most people are using the Intels the M's for L2Arc, E's for ZIL (E's are write optomized)

There were some other ones manufacture started with an E, or an M... (not Mushkin, but they do make some sexy SSDs) ill dig up the link if i can find it.
 
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