Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

VII.4.3. Disk Settings

Before getting started with SQL Server-specific disk optimization suggestions, it's worth noting that when it comes to disk storage, you get what you pay for. Disk drive manufacturers continue to deliver ever-faster drives in larger capacities. However, you should be aware of major performance differences among various products. Generally, a faster RPM rating translates into faster database performance, assuming that your applications are disk-intensive. Additionally, storage technologies, such as RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks), can improve throughput and increase the safety of your valuable information. Specialized storage appliances offer their own sets of disk-related features.

RAID takes advantage of multiple hard disks to improve performance, scalability, and reliability. It offers administrators a number of configurations (also known as levels). While a detailed analysis of this technology is beyond this book's scope, here's a brief look at some of the levels of primary interest to the SQL Server administrator.

• RAID 0: This approach enhances performance by striping (distributing) information across multiple disk drives. The operating system is then able to take advantage of parallel processing to return results more quickly. However, if any of the disk drives fail, the entire array is destroyed. This vulnerability makes this level unacceptable for a relational database application.

• RAID 1: This technique uses two or more disks to enable ...