Re: hardware and For PostgreSQL - Mailing list pgsql-performance

I realize there are people who discourage looking at Dell, but i've been
very happy with a larger ball of equipment we ordered recently from
them.  Our database servers consist of a PowerEdge 2950 connected to a
PowerVault MD1000 with a 1 meter SAS cable.

The 2950 tops out at dual quad core cpus, 32 gb ram, and 6 x 3.5"
drives.  It has a Perc 5/i as the controller of the in-box disks but
then also has room for 2 Perc 5/e controllers that can allow connecting
up to 2 chains of disk arrays to the thing.

In our environment we started the boxes off at 8gb ram with 6 15k SAS
disks in the server and then connected an MD1000 with 15 SATA disks to
one of the Perc 5/e controllers.  Gives tons of flexibility for growth
and for tablespace usage depending on budget and what you can spend on
your disks.  We have everything on the SATA disks right now but plan to
start moving the most brutalized indexes to the SAS disks very soon.

If you do use Dell, get connected with a small business account manager
for better prices and more attention.

Joe

Ketema Harris wrote:
> I am trying to build a very Robust DB server that will support 1000+
> concurrent users (all ready have seen max of 237 no pooling being
> used).  i have read so many articles now that I am just saturated.  I
> have a general idea but would like feedback from others.
>
> I understand query tuning and table design play a large role in
> performance, but taking that factor away
> and focusing on just hardware, what is the best hardware to get for Pg
> to work at the highest level
> (meaning speed at returning results)?
>
> How does pg utilize multiple processors?  The more the better?
> Are queries spread across multiple processors?
> Is Pg 64 bit?
> If so what processors are recommended?
>
> I read this :
> http://www.postgresql.org/files/documentation/books/aw_pgsql/hw_performance/node12.html
>
> POSTGRESQL uses a multi-process model, meaning each database
> connection has its own Unix process. Because of this, all multi-cpu
> operating systems can spread multiple database connections among the
> available CPUs. However, if only a single database connection is
> active, it can only use one CPU. POSTGRESQL does not use
> multi-threading to allow a single process to use multiple CPUs.
>
> Its pretty old (2003) but is it still accurate?  if this statement is
> accurate how would it affect connection pooling software like pg_pool?
>
> RAM?  The more the merrier right? Understanding shmmax and the pg
> config file parameters for shared mem has to be adjusted to use it.
> Disks?  standard Raid rules right?  1 for safety 5 for best mix of
> performance and safety?
> Any preference of SCSI over SATA? What about using a High speed (fibre
> channel) mass storage device?
>
> Who has built the biggest baddest Pg server out there and what do you
> use?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------(end of broadcast)---------------------------
> TIP 3: Have you checked our extensive FAQ?
>
>               http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq