RAID Configuration For Best Hyper-V Performance + Reliability

i'm getting ready put "ultimate" enterprise developement box/environment. host os ws2008 r2 , run multiple hyper-v guests, ws 2008 r2. instance, 1 vm serve domain controller, vm dedicated sql server , other vm's devoted server applications such sharepoint, crm dynamics, etc. @ 1 time, might need have 4 - 5 vm's running simulate given execution environment. visual studio , other dev tools installed on guest os , the guest os's function servers. now, i'm developer, not infrastructure architect, need little advice on how best configure hardware this.

obviously, i'll need considerable memory , processor resources support this, that's not hard figure out: buy the fastest core-i7 and plenty of ddr3 memory, 24 mb worth. i'm unsure of though how configure disks achieve vm performance in addition reliability. i'm considering raid 10 4 2tb drives; based on reading provides balance of performance/reliability. but, comparable amount of usable storage (4tb) using raid 5 more cheaply, i'm not sure performance multiple vm's. keep in mind i'll backing up/archiving huge vm files write throughput important. also, don't intend backup this machine anywhere; if have disk failure, want pop out bad drive , put in new one.

i appreciate input on , best way configure hardware single box support development needs described.

thanks.

i don't recommend raid 5 anything. slows things down.

although core i7 processor fast, 5500 series should avoided when hyper-v used. read this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975530/en-us

none of provided links directly address 1 version of raid vs. another. on last few years, there has been growing consensus against raid 5 can seen here:  http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/raid5-vs-raid-10-safety-performance.html.

but isn't entire story. see http://sqlblog.com/blogs/linchi_shea/archive/2007/02/07/is-raid-5-really-that-bad.aspx for point of view suggesting raid 5 may not bad. sure read responses. notice people seem against raid 5. notice linchi's post referenced in post http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/billg/archive/2007/06/18/raid-10-vs.-raid-5-performance.aspx which has discussion suggesting standard "it depends" answer may apply.

in closing, think raid 5 myth, having pagefile 1.5 times amount of ram. things done in because traditional practices. don't recommend raid 5, don't argue against because have better things time.

 

Windows Server  >  Hyper-V