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Deploying Microsoft SQL Server 2008 based Decision Support Systems using Dell EqualLogic 10GbE iSCSI Storage 4
3 DSS Workload Test
To support development of this paper we deployed and tested a full-scale DSS Solution configuration
at Dell labs. The following were the design goals for the test:
 Generate high I/O load on the SAN using a DSS workload running on Dell PowerEdge servers,
Dell EqualLogic PS series 10GbE storage arrays and Dell PowerConnect 10GbE switches.
 Maximize end-to-end solution performance to confirm best practices for system
configuration in each component layer.
Various storage configurations were built and tested using simulated DSS workloads. System behavior
was observed during each simulation run while hardware and software settings were modified to
maximize end-to-end solution performance. The following sections describe the test configuration
and test methodology in more detail.
The first test configuration is shown in Figure 2. This test configuration includes one PS6010XV storage
array for SQL Server® data and a second PS6010XV storage array for SQL Server® logs. It also includes
one Dell PowerEdge M710 blade server connected to the two PS6010XV storage arrays via a 10GbE
iSCSI storage network. We chose the PowerEdge M710 server to take advantage of its expanded I/O
capability (it can support up to four PCIe x8 Mezzanine Cards). To create the 10GbE iSCSI storage
network we installed two Broadcom® NetXtreme II 57710 10GbE Mezzanine Network Interface Cards
(NICs) on the server in Fabric B and connected the Broadcom NICs to external PowerConnect 8024F
switches via pass through modules installed on the PowerEdge M1000e blade enclosure. One port on
each NIC was utilized in this configuration. Fabric A in the blade chassis was used for connecting to
other LAN servers.
Note: More information about the fabric architecture on the Dell PowerEdge M1000e is
included in Appendix A , Dell PowerEdge M1000e high-speed fabric architecture. System
configuration version levels are provided in Appendix B , System Specifications.
Note: To set up the iSCSI SAN in our test configuration we created a 10 gigabit Ethernet
connection fabric using Dell PowerConnect 8024F 10GbE switches and Dell EqualLogic
PS6010XV storage arrays. The arrays were configured with redundant multi-port 10GbE
controllers.
For more information about the Dell PowerConnect 8024F switch:
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pwcnt/en/switch-powerconnect-
8024f-spec.pdf
For more information about the Dell EqualLogic PS6010XV storage array:
http://www.equallogic.com/products/default.aspx?id=8973
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/pvaul/en/equallogic-ps6010xv-
specsheet.pdf