RE: Ideal hardware configuration for pgsql

I would make sure that an intel box won't suit before looking at sun. Simply
for cost and if you're planning to run linux on it sun support will be shit
because they don't have skills in that area.
Databases thrive on more spindles, separate system spindles from the db
spindles and swap spindles, look at separating index tables from data tables
and the WAL.
Raid 3 or striping may be more suitable for the WAL (what happens if you
loose the WAL?) whereas raid 5 or a combination for 1/5 for data and
indexes. The chunk size on a raid set may also be worth pursuing as a means
of squeezing better performance from a dedicated db machine.

--
Ian Willis
Systems Administrator
Division of Entomology CSIRO
GPO Box 1700
Canberra ACT 2601
ph 02 6246 4391
fax 02 6246 4000

-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Mahoney [mailto:ryan(at)paymentalliance(dot)net]
Sent: Wednesday, 2 May 2001 8:35 AM
To: pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: [GENERAL] Ideal hardware configuration for pgsql

Our db server running 7.1 got *torched* today, system ran between 30% an
80% CPU all day! Right now the server is running on a Penguin Computing
800mhz PIII w/ 128 ram and IDE hardware.

Tomorrow I'd like to place an order for something more robust... looking
into dual PIII, gig of ram and SCSI Raid. Planning on running Red Hat 7.1
on this machine.

Before I order, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or
recommendations. I have been considering getting a Sun machine... but I
don't know if there is a benefit. Also, are there any special
considerations when running RAID and dual CPU?

You're input is tremendously appreciated!

-r

Ryan Mahoney
CTO, Payment Alliance, Inc.
ryan(at)paymentalliance(dot)net
t. 718-721-0338
m. 718-490-5464
www.paymentalliance.net