Question about converting CIFS FS to ISCSI for MS Exchange Data

Question

I am running an NS500 with CX-500 attached storage. I have 2 files systems -1 ISCSI for MS Exchange and the other are a couple CIFS Filesystems which are used for myWindows Fileserver. I am migrating off the CIFS File system because I'm about out of space and the shelf is full. My ISCSI MS Exchange disks are experiencing a good deal of latency lately and performance is taking a hit. Couple of questions:

The main one is, can I delete the CIFS Filesystems and create new a ISCSI one to move some Exchange data to? This will free up Disk I/O on the current ISCSI FS.

Also, my only concern with this is that the disks I would be converting to ISCSI are RAID5 and that is not ideal for Exchange DB's. But I would only be moving Public folders (less than 100GB). MS recommends RAID1 which is what my current Exchange data is on.
Basically I trying to weigh out if overall performance for exchange will be better. I'd be moving PF DB"s to a completely separate shelf of disks (15K FC) but not RAID1. I've talked to EMC and these drives cannot be built with RAID1 because the first 5 drives run the entire system.

Thanks

nandas · Accepted Answer

You need to delete the CIFS shares as well before deleting the File systems. So, include one step before step 3 to delete the shares.

If you want there will be no CIFS service running at all - you may stop CIFS service - choice is yours. However, I'll prefer not to touch usermapper service - if you stop CIFS, anyway usermapper will not be working. So - leave it alone.

All the very best - if applicable please mark the answers as Correct or Helpful.

Regards,
Sandip

dynamox · Answer

you want to be very careful not to put file systems with high IO on the first 5 drives because they are used to store Clariion flare code, you don't want to impact overall array performance.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

yes you can just delete a file system and use that space to extend your ISCSI file system.

If you have the space "moving" the CIFS file system to new disks using fs_copy or Replicator would be easiest way

wether or not that will provide more performance for your ISCSI file system depends on your disk layout.

Did you align the file systems on the ISCSI LUNs for MS Exchange ?

jrm4 · Answer

Thanks. I have been moving exchange DB's and I originally did not align sectors on some of my LUNS but am now.
My disk layout in this shelf is:

disk 0-4 - Flare disks - have sticker not to tamper with. All 73 GB drives.

disk 5 - 73 GB

disks 6 -14 - all 36 GB drives.

It is a bit confusing...
Thanks!

jrm4 · Answer

Oh I know. I just meant that I was told I can't make those shelf RAID1 because of those first 5 flare drives are RAID5 and can't obviously be overwritten.

Rainer_EMC · Answer

ok - yes properly aligning ISCSI LUNs does improve response time

in terms of disks - yes the first five disks in the first DAE where the Clariion OS, vault and Celerra OS resides need to be 4+1R5

for the rest of the drives it depends on if you have a NS500 Integrated or a NS500G plus a CX500

On a NS Integrated you normally need to stick to the shelf templates as documented on Powerlink since you setup the disks using setup_clariion.

On a gateway or a FC-enabled Celerra you are free to use any supported RAID level on the rest of the disks

what type of system do you have ?

jrm4 · Answer

Well, I'm sorta embarrassed but I'm not 100% sure on the system. I believe it's a Gateway. When I open a ticket I can select NS500/500G. All my drives in both CX-500 shelves are FC drives.
I really just admin this device among a million other things and my boss never got me training (OH how I wish).

Is there a command I can run to confirm?
Thanks

Message was edited by:
jrm

Rainer_EMC · Answer

there's a couple of ways to check or indications

If you have physical access: if the only FC cables conneted to the Clariion SP's are from the Celerra data movers and if they are connected directly (not through a FC switch) its an Integrated

also you can just execute /nas/sbin/model - if it says NS500G it should be a gateway - if it says NS500 an Integrated

of if setup_clariion runs sucessfully or the Celerra Manager in the Storage tab has a Configure button its an Integrated

On the NS500 its also a good indication if your SP addresses are in the same internal range as server_2 or if they are on your public network

jrm4 · Answer

I just checked and the /nas/sbin/model spits out NS500. Looks like I have to leave my shelf 0/0 and RAID5.Thanks Rainer!

nandas · Answer

I'll suggest to create a new File system for iSCSI. You should not (and most likely will not be able to) mix RAID 10 and RAID 5 storage pools.

So, create a new FS for iSCSI and start creating iSCSI LUNs on it.

Thanks,
Sandip

jrm4 · Answer

I have a follow up regarding this question. I finally have all my CIFS data migrated to a new Fileserver and am ready to blow away CIFS FS and extend my ISCSI FS.
My question is, since I cannot change this shelf from RAID5 to RAID10 (ISCSI FS is RAID10) will I be able to extend my current ISCSI FS? The current CIFS to be wiped and my current ISCSI FS are different storage pools? 1 RAID 5 and the other RAID 10.

Can I extend ISCSI FS to the RAID5 disk shelf or must I create a new separate ISCSI FS?

Thanks-

jrm4 · Answer

Thanks Sandpip. That makes sense.

jrm4 · Answer

Hello,One last question as I am new to this. This is what my plan is before creating hew ISCSI FS's. 1. Delete CIFS checkpoint schedules.2. Delete CIFS checkpoints3. Delete CIFS File systems4. Delete CIFS serverI'm wondering is this looks correct and if I should also stop the CIFS service, delete the DNS servers (DNS settings TAB), and usermapper?I want all CIFS references or config gone and I think this is everything. How's my plan look? Correct order?Thanks-

jrm4 · Answer

Thanks again for the info. I will add that to my list.

Celerra

Question about converting CIFS FS to ISCSI for MS Exchange Data

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