Log and Database Layout

I have a new Exchange 2003 server that I am currently ready to put into production. The question I still have is: how can I configure the log files and the database to gain the best performance. The server has 1 RAID 1 (mirror) volume that the operating system and the Exchange binaries are located on. I also have 1 RAID 5 (strip w/parity) volume that is empty. Will I gain performance from moving the log files to the empty RAID 5 volume or the database files?? Or will not gain anything because the RAID 1 volume contains the operating system? If I wouldnâ??t gain anything, than should I just move both the logs and the databases to the empty volume?

Thierry
Sat Jan 17 10:12:22 CST 2004

Compstorm wrote:
> I have a new Exchange 2003 server that I am currently ready to put into
production. The question I still have is: how can I
> configure the log files and the database to gain the best performance. The
server has 1 RAID 1 (mirror) volume that the operating
> system and the Exchange binaries are located on. I also have 1 RAID 5
(strip w/parity) volume that is empty. Will I gain
> performance from moving the log files to the empty RAID 5 volume or the
database files?? Or will not gain anything because the
> RAID 1 volume contains the operating system? If I wouldn't gain anything,
than should I just move both the logs and the databases
> to the empty volume?


Hi,

the databases should be placed in RAID 5 volumes
System, Logs should be placed in RAID 1 volumes, if possible differents.
=> in your case, depending on the activity of the mirror, logs may be moved
to the RAID 5 volume.

If the system is actually running "well", moving the databases should the
first step.

Bye.
--
Thierry DEMAN-BARCELÒ
MVP Exchange,SQL/Server,[MCSE option Messaging, MCSA 2003].
FAQ Exchange: http://faqexchange.dyndns.org ou http://exchange.faq.free.fr
Site personnel: http://webfamilial.dyndns.org/thierry/pageprincipale.htm
http://tdeman.free.fr/thierry/pageprincipale.htm

Al
Sat Jan 17 10:10:58 CST 2004

Typically, separating I/O types is a best practice. In your case, your
choices are limited.
I'd probably do two things:
1) probably just move the db's and the logs to the same RAID 5 set and
monitor it to see what the results are. Be prepared to alter things if need
be.
2) To figure out what to monitor, have a look at
www.microsoft.com/exchange/library and look for the troubleshooting Exchange
2003 performance whitepaper. It gives a great deal of information on what
to look for and what to do about it.

Al


"Compstorm" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:80A99AB4-34ED-4FAB-81EE-6DCBF9250B08@microsoft.com...
> I have a new Exchange 2003 server that I am currently ready to put into
production. The question I still have is: how can I configure the log files
and the database to gain the best performance. The server has 1 RAID 1
(mirror) volume that the operating system and the Exchange binaries are
located on. I also have 1 RAID 5 (strip w/parity) volume that is empty. Will
I gain performance from moving the log files to the empty RAID 5 volume or
the database files?? Or will not gain anything because the RAID 1 volume
contains the operating system? If I wouldn't gain anything, than should I
just move both the logs and the databases to the empty volume?