Re: INFORMIX-OnLine DSA and RAID: which level is the best?

> It really depends which level of RAID you are using. If you are using > RAID 1 (mirroring) then it is no problem. > > If you are using RAID 5 (striping) then, in my experience, it is better > not to use RAID 5 disks for Informix since you do not really know which > spindle you are working with, so it is difficult to tune Informix. > > If you plan to use the RAID with other applications than Informix > simultaneously, then forget it. Then heads of the disks will not stay in > the Informix partition but will jump all over the place drastically > reducing your performance. > > Another issue is that Informix can only handle chunks <= 2GB, so you > would need to partition the RAID. Use 2GB disks for optimum performance. > > We threw out our 16GB RAID 5 box for 8x2GB mirrored disks and we now run > about 10 times faster. > > Scott > > Scott Hanson Junior Consultant > scott@worldaccess.nl NexTime B.V. office: (31) 10 207 5400 > www.worldaccess.nl/~scott The Netherlands fax: (31) 10 456 9122 Scott Interesting stuff! I'm proposing RAID for the Informix databases at the site I've just joined, and will bear your comments in mind. Where in NL are you? Neil Truby Chase Bank Bournemouth, UK