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Promise Technology m310p, m210p, VTrak external disk array subsystem manual Stripe Size, Sector Size

Models: m210p VTrak external disk array subsystem m310p

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Chapter 7: Technology Background

Stripe Size

Stripe Size, also called “Stripe Block Size”, refers to the size of the data blocks written to, and read from, the physical drives. Stripe Size is specified when you create a disk array. In order to change the Stripe Size of an existing disk array, you must delete the disk array and create a new one. You can select Stripe Size directly when you use the Advanced function to create a disk array. If you use the Express function to create a disk array, WebPAM PRO selects the Stripe Size when you choose an Application Type.

The available Stripe Sizes are 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 KB, and 1 MB. 64 KB is the default. There are two issues to consider when selecting the Stripe Size.

First, you should choose a Stripe Size equal to, or smaller than, the smallest cache buffer found on any physical drive in the disk array. Selecting a larger value slows read/write performance because physical drives with smaller cache buffers need more time for multiple accesses to fill their buffers.

Second, if your data retrieval consists of fixed data blocks, such as with some database or video applications, then you should choose that size as your Stripe Size.

If you do not know the cache buffer or fixed data block sizes, Promise suggests you select 64 KB as your Stripe Size. Generally speaking, email, POS, and webservers prefer smaller stripe sizes. Video and database applications prefer larger stripe sizes.

Sector Size

A sector is the smallest addressable area on a physical disk drive. Sector Size refers to the size of sector measured by the number of bytes of data it can hold. The most common sector size is 512 bytes (512 B). Depending on its capacity, there can be up to 4,000,000,000 sectors on a single disk drive. The number of sectors is limited by the addressing method of the computer's operating system.

Sector size is important for two reasons. First, data is written to a disk drive in units called blocks. If a data block is smaller than the disk drive's sector size, part of the storage space in the sector goes unused. This is why a smaller sector size results in a more efficient use of a disk drive’s capacity.

Second, while a logical drive can be expanded by adding more physical disk drives, the number of addresses cannot be increased above 4,000,000,000, as noted above. For example, your logical drive has 512 byte sectors, multiplied by 4 billion addresses. The result is 2,048,000,000,000 bytes or 2 terabytes (TB) of data storage capacity. If you simply add more disk drives, your operating system will not recognize the additional capacity and you will not be able to use it.

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Promise Technology m310p, m210p, VTrak external disk array subsystem manual Stripe Size, Sector Size
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m210p, VTrak external disk array subsystem, m310p specifications

Promise Technology has established itself as a strong player in the storage solutions market, particularly with its VTrak series of storage systems. Among the notable products in this lineup are the VTrak M310P and M210P models, designed to deliver efficiency, scalability, and high performance for businesses of all sizes.

The Promise VTrak M310P is a high-performance storage solution that emphasizes speed and versatility. This model supports both SAS and SATA drives, enabling enterprises to tailor their storage needs based on workload requirements. It is built with an advanced RAID engine that provides multiple RAID levels, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, ensuring data redundancy and protection against drive failures. The M310P can accommodate up to 96TB of raw storage when fully populated, catering to environments that require large amounts of data retention and quick access times.

Key features of the VTrak M310P include the intuitive management interface, which simplifies storage provisioning and monitoring. This model also incorporates Promise's innovative "HyperRAID" technology, which enhances performance by optimizing I/O operations and providing real-time analytics and reporting. Additionally, the M310P supports a variety of host connection interfaces, including iSCSI, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand, allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure.

On the other hand, the VTrak M210P is tailored for a slightly different audience, focusing on small to medium-sized businesses that require reliable and cost-effective storage solutions. The M210P retains several high-end features found in its bigger counterpart while offering a more budget-friendly option. This model also supports a mix of SAS and SATA drives and includes RAID capabilities similar to the M310P for data protection.

The M210P provides a robust set of management tools designed for ease of use, including automated alerts and comprehensive reporting capabilities. Its compact design and reliable performance make it ideal for remote office locations or data centers where space is a premium. Furthermore, the model incorporates advanced power management features to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance.

Both the M310P and M210P are built with scalability in mind, allowing businesses to easily expand their storage capacity as data needs grow. With a focus on durability, performance, and advanced technology, Promise Technology’s VTrak systems are well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of modern data storage. Whether for large enterprises or smaller organizations, these products offer solutions that enhance productivity and ensure data integrity.