storage array configuration
I'm deploying a new Communications Suite R5 environment for tens of thousands of users. I will have (2) message stores and (2) calendar back-ends, all clustered. These will utilize a set of (4) arrays on a SAN. The arrays will be mirrored, so I'll have effectively about 1TB in one array (14 x 73GB), 2TB in the other (16 * 146GB). I need to get the message and calendar stores onto this.
I'm seeking advice around "best practices" for storage configuration and sizing:
- On sizing, since I have 3TB for both calendar and messaging, is there some simple rule of thumb for a ratio between these two? I could run through a sizing exercise for both mail and calendar based on many assumptions, but working backwards from 3TB might be easier.
- On configuration, on each array I was thinking of creating volumes on top of a single RAID5 virtual disk. I would need at least 4 volumes (two message stores, two calendar stores), possibly more if I decide to keep some space in reserve. I was planning on maintaining at least one hot spare disk.
I'm just trying to get an idea of what is recommended, and what others have done and how it has worked out. Thanks.
