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Write cache on Backup Drive

  • November 19, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    #137074

    Hi,

    We have 3 node a/a/p clustered setup & have SQL Server 2005 EE x64 with SP3 in Windows server 2003 EE x64 and all the drives are on SAN.

    Node1 - Active

    Node2 - Active

    Node3 - Passive

    We have a backup drive on node1(which has share point databases) and another backup drive on node2 (which has BizTalk databases)

    We are getting High Disk IO alarm from Monitoring tool Quest Spot light (also from Perfmon), when performing daily full backup for BizTalk databases on node2.

    After looking at the backup drive properties, I have noticed that Write cache is NOT enabled on SAN. For rest of all drives Write cache is enabled.

    So my question is:

    On backup drive, only writes will happen right? so can I enable Write cache on Backup drive? does it makes sense (I'm thinking this will reduce the High disk queue lenght while performing the full backups)

    thanks

  • November 19, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    #1081938

    Your logic sounds good to me.

  • November 19, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    #1081964

    I'd try it, but have tests ready and be able to roll it back if you experience issues. IT sounds like a good idea to me.

  • November 19, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    #1081977

    Yes, logic sounds good. I would enable the write cache

    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

  • November 20, 2009 at 12:51 am

    #1082004

    Thank you,

    If your data, log, and tempdb and the C drive (OS drive) are on SAN, then you will enable the Write cache or NOT?

    I went through the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281672 which says there is a possible data corruption if you have lower version of Windows i.e below windows 2003. Is this true for Windows 2003 Server too??

    thanks again...

  • November 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    #1082420

    could you please advice me..

    thanks

  • November 20, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    #1082546

    I have not experienced that issue with Server2000 or Server2003. That is not to say that the issue does not exist. Since there was a specific fix for the issue available via Service Pack, I would think the issue is less likely.

    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

  • November 20, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    #1082567

    Agreed. We have write-cache enabled, similar situation, no problems.

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