SQL Server Consolidation

  • I was told that I was going to be getting Blade Servers for a SQL Server Consolidation Project.

    I wanted to perform some research because I was not concerned about performance issues. :w00t:

    I later found out that the decision was being driven by a Data Center Space Management issue.

    They were going forward with the Blade Server acquistion until they ran out of Money.

    In the May 2009 issue of SQL Server Magazine there was a article of Pros & Cons orf Consolidation and virtualzation.

    The article suggested to not use Blade Servers for a SQL Server Consolidation.

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  • In the May 2009 issue of SQL Server Magazine there was a article of Pros & Cons orf Consolidation and virtualzation.

    We had no problem with dell blade servers for while. Virtualization, i wouldn't recommend in Production, One of the main reason if host restarts or shutdown it will take all servers down, and applying OS patches it is hard to coordinate with many teams, because different DB applications on same host.

    EnjoY!
  • So you are still using Blade Servers in Production and no performance issue?

    I was,'t not clear about the virtualization.

    That was suggested as well at one point fortunately but it did go anywhere.

    I'm have used Virtual Servers in the Development & QA issues and I experienced the same issues that you mention.

    Thanks.

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
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    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
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  • We too are moving to blades. I know of a few others that have recently moved to blades - and they have found the performance to be phenomenally better than their current situation.

    Since our migration is in stages, from what we have completed thus far, we are very pleased with the blade performance. I believe that what one must do is make sure they administer the servers properly.

    We are not virtualizing the servers - except for some dev and QA servers. Performance on our virtualized SQL Boxes is quite good as well.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • So you are still using Blade Servers in Production and no performance issue

    Yes, No performance issue.

    I'm have used Virtual Servers in the Development & QA issues and I experienced the same issues that you mention.

    I am with Jason on this. We are hosting almost all Dev and Q\A DB servers on virtuals, we are also hosting Prod reporting servers and applications servers also on virtuals no issues.

    EnjoY!
  • I'm sorry. I was not clear on the Dev & QA. I have used Virtual machines in Development & QA but although you may have to reboot, etc that was not a problem.

    Sorry for the confusion.

    I agree with you and Jason 100 percent.

    Thank you!

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
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  • I'm missed the comment on Blade Servers by Jason.

    Thanks Jason & GTR for the information. 🙂

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
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  • You are welcome:-)

    EnjoY!
  • Two main experiences with HP Blades: at one place, they had tremendous problems with heat dissipation - leading to a crazy arrangement of huge fans in addition to massive A/C. There were still regular failures, which many ascribed to running too hot.

    Second experience: broadly fine, though they never seem to have quite the raw power of more traditional solutions. I guess there is a price to be paid for making things smaller...

    Paul

  • Paul,

    Have the issues with Heat been resolved?

    That's a bit ironic because the person that was pushing for he blades was responsible for the blades and we has extemley high tempetures in the data center.

    If so do you recall how long ago this was an issue?

    Thanks.

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

  • Welsh Corgi (3/14/2010)


    Have the issues with Heat been resolved?

    Not to my knowledge, no.

    That's a bit ironic because the person that was pushing for he blades was responsible for the blades and we has extemley high tempetures in the data center.

    Ah.

    Do you recall how long ago this was an issue?

    This was 2007-2008.

  • Well thank you for the information.

    I did not mean to come across as arrogant but the guy that wanted the blades was using low temperature as one of the justifications for selecting that type hardware.

    It was very helpful and greatly appreciated. 🙂

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
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    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

  • Welsh Corgi (3/14/2010)


    ...the guy that wanted the blades was using low temperature as one of the justifications for selecting that type hardware.

    They may well have improved since 2007-8. All I know is the server guys were quite cross with HP for quite a long time. And they were normally quite relaxed people...:-D

  • I have no issues with Dell. They were very nice people.

    This was not a Dell employee that was pushing the Blades.

    I was just suggesting to this Network Admin that thinks he knows SQL Server, that I research before a hardware/decision was made.

    This person was looking at it from a facilities management perspective (space, temperature, etc) and I was solely responsible for the performance & availability.

    This was back in 2008 Timeframe that this issue initially came up.

    Then they ran out of money and the project was put on hold

    For better, quicker answers on T-SQL questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Best+Practices/61537/

    For better answers on performance questions, click on the following...
    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/SQLServerCentral/66909/

  • Paul White (3/14/2010)


    Welsh Corgi (3/14/2010)


    ...the guy that wanted the blades was using low temperature as one of the justifications for selecting that type hardware.

    They may well have improved since 2007-8. All I know is the server guys were quite cross with HP for quite a long time. And they were normally quite relaxed people...:-D

    I don't know about your setup, but the Dells we have, have a ton of internal fans in the Chassis. I would imagine that they have improved substantially.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

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