CompTIA DataSys+ (DS0-001)Database DeploymentHard
A database administrator is deploying a new database server for a financial application that requires extremely low latency for transaction processing. After initial installation, the DBA observes higher-than-expected disk I/O latency. Which of the following storage configurations would be MOST effective in reducing disk I/O latency for this workload?
- AUsing a single large capacity Solid State Drive (SSD).
- BImplementing a Storage Area Network (SAN) with Fibre Channel and all-flash arrays.
- CConfiguring a RAID 5 array with spinning HDDs.
- DDeploying Network Attached Storage (NAS) over Gigabit Ethernet.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Implementing a Storage Area Network (SAN) with Fibre Channel and all-flash arrays.
For 'extremely low latency' and 'higher-than-expected disk I/O latency' in a financial application, an all-flash SAN with Fibre Channel is the most effective solution. Fibre Channel provides dedicated, high-speed, low-latency connectivity, and all-flash arrays (AFAs) offer the highest IOPS and lowest latency compared to HDDs or even standalone SSDs, making it superior for demanding transactional workloads.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A single SSD offers good performance, but a SAN with multiple, highly optimized flash arrays and dedicated high-speed networking (Fibre Channel) provides superior latency and redundancy for critical enterprise applications.
- C. RAID 5 with HDDs is better than a single HDD but spinning disks inherently have high latency compared to flash storage, and RAID 5 has a write penalty.
- D. NAS over Gigabit Ethernet introduces network latency and contention, and while it can use SSDs, it generally does not offer the dedicated low-latency performance of a Fibre Channel SAN.
All-Flash SAN with Fibre Channel
A high-performance storage solution combining a Storage Area Network (SAN) utilizing Fibre Channel protocol for connectivity and all-flash arrays (AFAs) for storage.
- Fibre Channel (FC) provides dedicated, low-latency, high-bandwidth block storage connectivity.
- All-Flash Arrays (AFAs) use SSDs exclusively, offering maximum IOPS and minimal latency.
- Ideal for mission-critical, I/O-intensive workloads like financial transaction processing and high-performance databases.
- Offers superior performance and scalability compared to direct-attached storage or NAS.
Memory trick: Fast 'F'lash 'F'ibre 'F'inancial 'F'ixes.