Optimal Block Size for File Server (VMware & Equallogic)

Question

Hello- I am trying to confirm the bits and pieces of info that I have uncovered in my research of block sizes and Equallogic. Up to this point, it has been my understanding that we should be using 64KB block sizes in our VMs.  I just created a 600 MB Equallogic volume, set it as the data drive in a Windows 2008 VM, and formatted with 64KB blocks.  This file server has files of all sizes, but probably mostly under 100KB, and the majority of those smaller than 64KB. I started copying about 550MB to this 600 MB volume.  I knew that it would grow due to the block size, but it grew enormously.  I am prepared to deal with this increase in size, IF this is going to help us with performance. So really, the question is, what should we be doing?  Should file servers still use the smaller (even 4KB) blocks?  Leave the large blocks to Exchange and SQL? I've searched for some definitive information, but so far, have had to piece it together.   Thanks, Dan

dan-dotson · Answer

On the server.  The drive filled up as I was copying data over last night, and I even made it 75 GB larger than the original.

dan-dotson · Answer

The growth came from copying numerous files that were less than the 64KB block size (and were living in a system with 4KB block).

So, to answer the partition - we are using 2008, so that it OK. I guess the question is.... Will the performance increase be great enough to justify the extra space that is being consumed?

dan-dotson · Answer

So with a file server that has file sizes all over the place, is it worth it?

dan-dotson · Answer

OK.  Thanks.

FluidFS

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