Hello All,
I just thought I would update this for those of you who find it useful. This post was ideally discussing the easiest way to configure the FAS2020 with the maximum capacity and performance with the easiest method to expand capacity in the future. By the way this post also applies to the FAS2040 or any controllers which has internal disks.
I mentioned the following before:
This is to maximize the useable storage capacity and Spindle performance from the internal disks.
Once an additional disk shelf has been added. I would recommend creating a new aggregate consisting of all the disks in the new disk shelf.
I would migrate controller 2's root volume to the new aggregate.
Destroy the RAID-4 aggregate to re-claim the internal disks for the internal aggregate on controller 1.
Although this method is achievable and is straight forward, I thought I would post a few other options (given that the option above isn't the most ideal method, despite being the easiest).
Option 1. Do as the post suggests. Create a new RAID DP aggregate (for controller02) on the new disk shelf, migrate the root volume over from the old RAID4 aggregate. Trash the old RAID 4 aggregate, reassign the RAID4 disks to controller01 and assign the disks to the original RAID DP aggregate (controller01).
Pros: This will ensure you have a clear logical aggregate layout i.e. all internal disks will be controller01s aggregate with a spare disks, all external disks will be controller02s, aggregate with a spare.
Cons: This would potentially create a hot spot on the original RAID DP aggregate (controller01) and therefore you may experience some performance issues on that aggregate.
Option 2. Leave the Existing configuration as it is (10 disks on controller01, 9 in aggregate and 1 spare. With 2 disks on controller02 in a RAID4 config). When you add the additional shelf/storage (providing they are the same disk type/size as the internal disks AND providing the RAID4 aggregate only consists of the root volume i.e. no actual production data) you can just upgrade the RAID4 to a RAID DP aggregate and then expand the aggregate to scale up across the new disk shelves.
Pros: Easy to configure with the least amount of disruption. You achieve the same capacity whilst protecting both controllers with RAID DP with spares.
Cons: This will not provide a nice aggregate layout and AND this is also dependent upon having the same disk size and type internally as well as externally else it wouldn’t work and option 1 or 3 would need to be considered.
Option 3. Create a new RAID DP aggregate (on controller01) with the new disks (depending on the type & size – ideally you need to meet the same capacity and performance as the original RAID DP aggregate (on controller01)) but obviously now you will have a slightly larger aggregate than the original RAID DP aggregate on the internal disks. You can then migrate all the data AND root volume over to the newly create aggregate. Once data and root vol have migrated successfully. Reboot the controller etc to ensure it is stable. You can then offline, destroy and zero the original raid-DP aggregate (owned by controller01), and then re-assign the disks to controller02 to upgrade the original RAID4 aggregate to RAID DP and expand the aggregate to with the internal disks.
Pros: This will ideally provide a clean aggregate layout (all internal disks on one aggregate (controller02) and all external disks on another aggregate (controller01) ), it will also avoid having any hot spots on the aggregates.
Cons: This will be the most disruptive and taskly method but with provide the best results.
I hope this helps with existing or future installations. Again as always any additional suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.
P.S. I'm sure many of you are happy not the FAS2040 now sit where the FAS2020 to help with the network configurations etc
