RE: Dell-Oracle-Linux: Anyone else run this...because its not working for us!

Mark,

>>PERC problems in a non-clustered
>>configuration would definitely concern me.

You should be concerned.

You are right on...I agree with most or all of what you said. I even agree with your comments of "controller-based RAID) and RAC". However, you misunderstood me.

>> Chris Marquez's reports of PERC problems
>> seem to be tied tightly to RAC.

No, we had *more* errors and issues with our RAC config, but STILL HAD THE SAME ERRORS ON THE NON RAC CONFIG.

Again for us;

• SuSE7-Oracle8i-EXT3 PE2?50 - PERC3/DC "NO RAID" - PV220s-"slipt mode": NO ISSUES...over 18 months.
• RH3-Oracle9i-RAC-OCFS PE2650 - PERC4/DC RAID5/1 - PV220s-"cluster mode": Serious ISSUES / Failures.
• RH3-Oracle9i-EXT3 PE2650 - PERC3/DC RAID5/1 - PV220s-"cluster mode": Less but same Serious ISSUES / Failures.
• RH3-Oracle9i-EXT3 PE2650 - PERC3/DC "NO RAID" - PV220s-"cluster mode": No Issues so far...2 weeks.

For those not familiar; Dell PV220s "spilt mode" vs. "cluster mode". The box holds 14 drives and has two SCSI-"in" channels. In "spilt mode" it acts like "2" storage boxes...7 drives on one side and 7 on the other side (channel). In "cluster mode" it acts like "1" storage box 14 drives (really 13...you loose one slot) accessible equally and at the same time via both channels

>> (You used a "vendor-certified" configuration,
>> after all, which is normally a very
>> wise -- and conservative -- practice.)
Yes we did...no criticism taken...no worries...I just want to solve my problems...what ever the *reality*.

>> I have *assumed* you were using controller-based RAID
>>(I don't *think* there's an alternative with PowerVault 220's).
Your assumption is correct! The PV is a rather "dumb" box...the RAID is on the PERC Controller cards.

>>There are rumours and rumbles (at least) about this at one
>>of my client sites, but I hadn't given them much thought until now...
Again, You should be concerned.

Chris Marquez
Oracle DBA

-----Original Message-----
From: oracle-l-bounce_at_freelists.org on behalf of Mark Brinsmead Sent: Fri 12/9/2005 3:23 PM
To: tomday2_at_gmail.com
Cc: oracle-l_at_freelists.org
Subject: Re: Dell-Oracle-Linux: Anyone else run this...because its not working for us!  

Thomas,

   Were you also using RAC? Chris Marquez's reports of PERC problems seem to be tied tightly to RAC. (In my mind, "controller-based RAID" and "clusters" don't mix, although I suppose that could -- now -- be mostly chauvinism on my part.) In any event, PERC problems in a cluster are one thing (because I would never use such a configuration myself) but PERC problems in a non-clustered configuration would definitely concern me.

   Sorry Chris -- my comments are *not* meant as a criticism of what you have done. Please do not think that they are. (You used a "vendor-certified" configuration, after all, which is normally a very wise -- and conservative -- practice.) My comments about PERC (or any controller-based RAID) and RAC are purely a reflection of my own biases. And, of course, I have *assumed* you were using controller-based RAID (I don't *think* there's an alternative with PowerVault 220's). I know that assumption may be incorrect...

  Anybody else out there experiencing problems with PERC and PowerVault? There are rumours and rumbles (at least) about this at one of my client sites, but I hadn't given them much thought until now...

Cheers,
-- Mark

Thomas Day wrote:

>Dell replaced our controller.  The Dell technician opined as how the
>PERC controller probably wasn't up to the load imposed by Oracle. 
>This was in a RAID 0 configuration.
>
>I guess that's what you get when you go with the lowest bidder.
>
>Looking forward to honing my recovery techniques to a fine edge --- again.
>--
>http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l
>
>  
>

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