XFS/LVM/Multipath on a single RAID volume

Dave Hall
2015-02-22T23:35:27Z

Dave, Stan,

Not sure if you remember, but we corresponded for a while a couple years
ago about some performance problems I was having with XFS on a 26TB
SAS-attached RAID box. If either of you is still working on XFS, I've
got some new questions. Actually, what I've got is a new array to set
up. Same size, but faster disks and a faster controller. It will
replace the existing array as the primary backup volume.

So since I have a fresh array that's not in production yet I was hoping
to get some pointers on how to configure it to maximize XFS
performance. In particular, I've seen a suggestion that a multipathed
array should be sliced up into logical drives and pasted back together
with LVM. Wondering also about putting the journal in a separate
logical drive on the same array.

I am able to set up a 2-way multipath right now, and I might be able to
justify adding a second controller to the array to get a 4-way multipath
going.

Even if the LVM approach is the wrong one, I clearly have a rare chance
to set this array up the right way. Please let me know if you have any
suggestions.

Thanks.

-Dave

Dave Hall
Binghamton University
kdhall@binghamton.edu
607-760-2328 (Cell)
607-777-4641 (Office)