The network overhead is a serious issue, which can be partially controlled
via fibre channel connections.
We researched doing exactly what he is planning and is it feasable.
Multi-Terrabyte network storage array
Fibre Channel connection to the array
Farm of load balanced/fail-over Imail servers (each server a multi-proc
monster)
Dynamic DNS distibution for series of duplicate "up" servers
It would take the ecomony of a small country to fund it, but it would work.
The only issue with LAN speed in this config would be dealing with the
network architecture. Once the OS caches the network connection, the
multiple 100mb fibre channels will speed right along.
Chris
----------------------------------------------
Original Message
From: "Len Conrad"<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [IMail Forum] Integration via CGI
Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2001 18:35:48 +0100
>
>>Imail supports UNC paths which makes it viable for a backend storage
>>sollution.
>
>uh oh, just because it can be done, doesn't mean it shouldl be done.
>
>Unless you have a little family-and-friends low volume mail operation
>(then you wouldn't need multiple Imail servers in the first place), I
>advise against running your mailboxes over the LAN. It's just too
>slow compared to local disk storage. The slowness comes from the
>data rate of the LAN vs the date rate of the local disk PLUS the tons
>of additional code the Imail processor has to execute to access
>mailboxes through a network driver vs local disk driver access. And
>don't forget that the server's shared disk will now have serious disk
>head contention pb's from two or more Imail servers trying to access
>their 1000's of mailboxes.
>
>Anyway, what's the point of putting all your mailboxes for multiple
>Imail servers on a network server? Each Imail server can only access
>its own mailboxes, and none of the others, even if the Imail boxes are
peered.
>
>Significantly slower, no redundancy (aka all your eggs going to hell
>in one handbasket), afaics, no nothin.
>
>Len
>
>
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>
>
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