Using Microsoft SQL Server with Dell EqualLogic PS Series Arrays Owner's Manual
Summary
Optimize your data infrastructure by deploying Microsoft SQL Server on Dell EqualLogic PS Series Arrays. This guide is essential reading for IT professionals and system architects requiring robust, high-performance database solutions. It covers comprehensive best practices for planning, designing, and configuring your environment, ensuring scalability, maximum uptime, and operational efficiency across complex enterprise deployments.
Page 1 Text Content
Using Microsoft SQL Server with Dell Equal Logic PS Series Arrays Best practices and configuration guidelines for deploying SQL Server with Equal Logic storage arrays. Dell Equal Logic Technical Solutions Group April 2014
A Dell Deployment and Configuration Guide
Page Summary Contents For Using Microsoft SQL Server with Dell EqualLogic PS Series Arrays Owner's Manual
Page 1
Using Microsoft SQL Server with Dell Equal Logic PS Series Arrays Best practices and configuration guidelines for deploying SQL Server with Equal Logic storage arrays. Dell Equal Logic Technical Solut...
Page 2
Revisions Report Date Description 1.0 October 2005 Initial release 2.0 June 2007 Added SQL 2005 coverage and support for PS Series 3.2 firmware release 2.1 March 2008 Added new information covering Au...
Page 3
Table of contents Revisions ...............................................................................................................................................................................
Page 4
Preface PS Series arrays optimize resources by automating performance and network load balancing. Additionally, PS Series arrays offer all-inclusive array management software, host software, and free ...
Page 5
Software and firmware versions The following table shows the software and firmware used for the preparation of this document. Vendor Model Software Revision Microsoft® SQL Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012 M...
Page 6
1 Introduction SQL Server provides the enterprise data management platform your organization needs to adapt quickly to a fast-changing environment. Benchmarked for scalability, speed, and performance,...
Page 7
Reliability, availability, and serviceability – The environment must be robust, resilient, and easily repaired with hot swappable components while the system remains available. In a SAN configuration,...
Page 8
With PS Series replication capabilities, SQL Server data can be automatically transferred to remote data centers or replicated synchronously within the same datacenter or campus protecting the data fr...
Page 9
Member-by-member RAID level control Collections (consistency groups) tying volumes together across arrays and pools Command line and Power Shell scripting 9 TR1013 Using Microsoft SQL Server wit...
Page 10
2 Planning and design considerations When designing a SQL Server environment, you should understand the challenges of optimizing the entire system from server to storage and target a design that adres...
Page 11
engine as well as lower the IO load on the storage system. When planning to utilize the buffer pool extension, it’s recommended to use local SSD disks for the buffer pool file system. 2.2 Distributing...
Page 12
Automatic tiering can be achieved within a single pool by utilizing the PS Series group’s automatic load balancing algorithms. The load balancers continually work to balance the workload across all th...
Page 13
3 Deploying SQL Server with a PS Series SAN The following sections describe SQL Server requirements and recommendations and the basic tasks for deploying SQL with a PS Series SAN. The following sectio...
Page 14
HIT/Microsoft optimizes the server to run with PS Series i SCSI storage. It also installs the Equal Logic MPIO DSM and Auto-Snapshot Manager. The Equal Logic MPIO DSM is proven to improve performance ...
Page 15
PS Series arrays allow volumes to be configured with thin provisioning. Thin provisioning has tremendous benefits for managing storage space on the SAN and volume capacity-on-demand. Thin provisioning...
Page 16
4 Migrating SQL Server databases to PS Series storage If you are currently using a local system disk, DAS, or other storage media for your current SQL configuration, you can easily migrate databases a...
Page 17
The Copy Database Wizard can perform all the tasks above, but there are restrictions on each. Note that the destination server must be running SQL Server 2005 SP2 or later. For more information on the...
Page 18
5 SQL Server data management Data integrity is vital in a solid SQL Server environment. Backing up your data as well as monitoring for disk space usage are two important disk management tasks. You sho...
Page 19
5.2 Expanding SAN storage online As storage requirements grow for each application, PS Series storage can be easily expanded, online and with no disruption to users. For example, you can increase the ...
Page 20
6 SQL Server database protection Data protection is crucial for database applications. Microsoft has embedded data protection and high availability capabilities into SQL Server. With past versions of ...
Page 21
Allow system or database administrators to restore SQL Server databases in the following ways: • In-place SQL Server database and volume recovery • “Side-by-side” SQL Server database and volume recove...
Page 22
7 Summary An i SCSI SAN comprised of PS Series storage arrays provides an ideal storage infrastructure for SQL Server installations. A PS Series SAN brings all the reliability, performance and protect...
Page 23
Technical support and customer service Dell support service is available to answer your questions about PS Series SAN arrays. Contacting Dell 1. If you have an Express Service Code, have it ready. The...
Manual Details
| Brand | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Pages | 23 |
| File Size | 549.78 KB |
| Published | May 30, 2026 |
72 views
Enter the captcha to get the download link:
Frequently Asked Questions
What infrastructure is recommended for SQL Server deployment using PS Series arrays?
An iSCSI SAN comprised of PS Series storage arrays provides an ideal storage infrastructure.
What should I do regarding general system configuration?
Follow Microsoft’s recommendations for Windows system and SQL Server configurations, in addition to the best practices described in this report.
How can Dell technical support be reached if I am a customer in the US or Canada?
Call 1-800-945-3355. Alternatively, you can visit https://eqlsupport.dell.com/secure/login.aspx.