Storing Microsoft SQL Server Databases on the NAS 8000

glossary
AutoRAID
tm
– Combination of RAID Levels 0, 1 and 5DP implemented by the firmware of the VA 7xxx
controller to provide automatic data protection on VA 7xxx hard drives.
CIFS/SMB – (Common Internet File System / Server Message Block). Protocols used to access non-local
storage over a network. Primarily used by Windows based systems.
DSS Database – Decision Support System database. Characterized by complicated, CPU intensive queries.
File Volume – Basic unit of logical storage. Volume Group storage is allocated for user access by creating
one or more file volumes on a single volume group. Roughly equivalent to a file system.
Heterogeneous File Access – Storage (Directories / files) that is accessible from either Windows® or Unix®
Operating Systems.
Hot Spare – A portion of the array capacity reserved to perform a rebuild of a failed disk. Ensures that the
array can maintain data redundancy if one or two disks fail. Reserved space is used to increase array
performance until it is needed.
LUN - (Logical Unit Number) - The logical aggregation of the space on one or more physical hard drives.
LUNs are unique numbers that enable the controller to differentiate between different groupings of
storage. A LUN corresponds to a logical device on the NAS 8000.
NFS – Network File System. A method of accessing non-local storage over a network. Primarily used by
Unix® operating systems.
OLTP Database – On-Line Transaction Processing database. Characterized by many, small, usually
straightforward transactions.
RAID – Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Intelligent Disks
RAID 0/1 – Data Striping and data mirroring.
RAID 5DP – Dual Parity information is added to data to provide high level of fault tolerance.
Redundancy Group – Group of physical disks containing redundant data, as defined by the RAID level
assigned to the data.
Snapshot – A read only picture of a file volume at a specific point in time.
Volume Group – Logical storage that combines the space from one or more LUNs and makes that space
accessible for defining user accessible storage.
Virtualization – Treatment of physical disks as a “pool of storage” rather than individual disks.
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