We used one XtremIO X2 storage array as FC SAN storage to test the SQL Server 2017 databases. The storage layer consists of:
- An XtremIO X2 cluster with two X-Brick modules, with a total of 72 x 2 TB flash-based Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) solid-state drives (SSDs)
- Two controllers and one disk array enclosure (DAE) on each X-Brick module
- Four 16 Gbps front-end FC ports
- Two InfiniBand switches for two X-Brick connections
- An XtremIO management server (XMS) for managing the storage array on the PowerEdge R640 management server
The LAN and SAN design includes redundant components and connectivity at every level to ensure that no single point of failure exists. This design ensures that the application server can reach the database server and the database server can reach the storage array if a component fails. The design provides protection even if a failure occurs in one or more NICs or HBA ports, one LAN or FC switch, one or more XtremIO X2 front-end ports, or one XtremIO X2 X-Brick controller.