Compellent Storage Center Software Part 1

Module 1: Dynamic Block Architecture DBA

What is DBA?
Management of Data
Cache
Page Sizes
Mixed RAIDs
Data on different RAIDs and Tiers
Virtualization

2-1

Dynamic Block Architecture

The Compellent Storage Center is built around Compellents Dynamic Block
Architecture (DBA) technology.

Dynamic Block Architecture (DBA) enables sophisticated and fully-integrated

storage capabilities by managing data at the block level for efficient space
utilization, quick recovery and affordable information life cycle management.
By managing the disk drives at the block level and not the drive level, the level of
flexibility is significantly increased.
Dynamic Block Architecture records and tracks specific information about every
block of data that provides the system intelligence on how that block is being
used. Information about the blocks is gathered without system overhead but can
be extensive, including:
Creation, Access and Modification time

Frequency of access
Type and Tier of disk drive
RAID level
Corresponding volume

2-2

How The Blocks are Managed

Dynamic Block Architecture the Page Pool

Collection of allocated and unallocated disk blocks

Maps pages to volumes

Maintains metadata

Default page size is 2MB (4,096 blocks)

Automated, Sophisticated Block Management

Change RAID levels by re-pointing pages

System manages data mapping across multiple RAID levels

Individual files can span multiple drive types and RAID levels

Re-stripe data when adding drives

Page Pool grows/shrinks as needed

Self defragmentation and tuning

2-3

Cache:
In a typical SAN using storage groups, Cache maybe used to compensate for the
problems with targeting drives which causes slow access.
With Compellents Dynamic Block Architecture design, and the ability to write to
all disks, large amounts of cache are no longer needed.
In addition, there is no administrative tuning required with Compellents Cache
as in other storage arrays. Compellents Cache is dynamic in nature and can
shrink or grow its buffer size depending on the IO coming into the system.

Cache Size

20 Series: 2.5GB
30 Series: 3.5GB

2-4

Datapage Sizes
2 MB is Compellents default datapage size, this selection is appropriate for
most applications.
Additional page sizes can be selected. These additional sizes need to be made
accessible by changing Advanced User Options under Configure My Volume
Defaults.
512 KB: This datapage size is appropriate for applications with high performance
needs, or environments in which Replays are taken frequently under heavy I/O.
Selecting this size reduces the amount of space the System Manager can present to
servers.
4 MB: This datapage size is appropriate for systems that use a large amount of disk
space with infrequent Replays.

Caution: If you are considering using either the 512 KB or 4 MB datapage setting, it
is recommended you contact Copilot services so that system resources remain
balanced and the impact on performance is considered.
2-5

Disk Virtualization
The Compellent Storage Center manages all disks as a single pool of resources from
which the administrator can dynamically select and assign disk resources to server
resources. Virtualization employs full disk parallelization across heterogeneous servers
and disks.

Overcome conventional problems:

Volumes span a fixed subset of disks
Storage restricted to single servers
Homogeneous drives and interfaces
Long-term configuration decisions must be made before usage patterns
are understood

Compellent Virtualization benefits:

Manage all disks as single pool
Present disk resources to any server
Mix and match any capacity, speed, or interface
Changes can be made in a non-disruptive matter
Reduce costs
Optimize performance
Increase availability
Maximize resource utilization
2-6

2-7