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Poor performance from PERC S110 in RAID 5
When configured in RAID 5, MS Server 2008 R2, the performance is so poor that the OS freezes during disk writes and users lose contact with a SQL database resulting in errors. Disk writes are approximately 3MB/S.
When configured RAID 1, disk writing of 300MB/s has been observed and no freezing occurs.
Is this normal and if so, why dont Dell inform users that RAID 5 is not recommmended. This has been subject to a support call and the motherboard was swapped out but to no effect.
Any comments?
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DELL-Chris H
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March 18th, 2013 10:00
Larry,
The issue you are having is due to over taxing the software controller. Every time you write something to the disk, under the raid 5, it is having to calculate parity for every write. Adding 2008r2 with SQL on top of that is overwhelming the software raid controller. For that need, I would suggest the H710p controller. It is hardware based and has the ability to use cache, so is a far better fit for what you need. What is the server that you are working with?
Larry Murray
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March 19th, 2013 03:00
Hi Chris H, thanks for the response.
It's a new Dell T420, Dual Xeon 7.20 GT/s 1.9 GHz processors with 32GB RAM and 3 x 500GB SATA drives.
Even for simple copying the system freezes. I understand that hardware RAID would be a better option but didn't realise just how poor the S110 would be.
As a test, I tried to spec a similar server on the Dell website last night and didn't even get an option for a hardware controller.
Cheers
Larry
theflash1932
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March 19th, 2013 09:00
Are you talking about the T110 II (the T110 is no longer being sold)?
Larry Murray
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March 19th, 2013 13:00
No - I only got an option for a S110 controller as per screenshot. Strange that this is only option that appears!!!
A hardware controller would have have been the obvious choice but that the S110 would be up to the job!
Larry Murray
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March 19th, 2013 13:00
Doh - to get hardware RAID options you have to select 4 cabled hard drives option and NOT the 4 cabled hard drives SATA option - it's so obvious NOW!
Ta for help but is there any advice on how to overcome such poor performance on existing S110 controller?
Think I will have to take the hit and buy a hardware controller.
ACatalano
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July 6th, 2014 07:00
Larry,
I am having the same issues with the R420 with RAID 1 using the S110 Software controller. Were you able to resolve without installing a hardware raid? i just ordered the H710P for the server and will install soon unless there is some other solution.
roysbrew
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January 26th, 2015 20:00
Dell r420 poor io performance : I have the same server and same problem. What did you end up doing to try and fix it?
MOEFRIEDMAN
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September 21st, 2015 09:00
I too am having major issues on a SBS2011 box. Was wondering if possible to add a H710 raid card with more drives and at least move my Exchange databases to alleviate the performance issues.
Ya or nay?