Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful?

markm75 · 01-26-2007, 07:08 AM

I'm building a 2TB (around 800 gb backed up on a full backup, all of which will go across the gigabit ethernet) server..

Is there any benefit to using dual gigabit connections on the backup server?

Would I need it on my other 4 servers, sending the data as well, or just the backup server...

Would these ports need trunked on the switch to be even more useful?

I also am aware that setting the nics to use jumbo frames (~9000 setting) / MTU is desired.. is there a downside to this..

I cant do it with alot of my built in gigabit ethernet cards, even intel ones, there doesnt seem to be the option, so I'd probably have to add new cards to each server or just the backup server...

Thanks

johnwill · 01-26-2007, 08:44 AM

Unless the disk subsystem is really speedy, I would imagine that one gigabit interface would be sufficient for the backup server. I suspect the added complexity of configuration would yield minimal benefits.

markm75 · 01-26-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

Unless the disk subsystem is really speedy, I would imagine that one gigabit interface would be sufficient for the backup server. I suspect the added complexity of configuration would yield minimal benefits.

These would be SATAII drives.. so i'm guessing with gigabit about 60 MB/s is the norm, if not slightly higher (real world).. the HDD probably around 52 MB/s..

I wasnt sure if dual gig. was a benefit in terms of doing the backups and then accessing files at the same time, though usually these backups will be after hours anyway.

johnwill · 01-27-2007, 10:25 AM

I think I'd go with the single NIC and see if there are any issues. If not, why go to the extra trouble.

**Cellus** · 01-28-2007, 04:34 PM

Just also make sure to have a spare NIC incase during Disaster Recovery or something your NIC decides to go on strike. You "should" always have spare FRUs anyways, but make sure you have one anyways.

markm75 · 06-11-2007, 12:54 PM

Can anyone comment on how to do Trunking of dual gigabit lines?

IE: Do i have to do a VLAN type setup on the gigabit router.. then set each port to be "trunked"?

Do i then have to do anything on the OS itself on the server? IE: Highlight each LAN connection and do the bridging option or something else?

Cheers

johnwill · 06-12-2007, 07:07 AM

I'm not getting where there will be any advantage to using dual gigabit connections here.

markm75 · 06-12-2007, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

I'm not getting where there will be any advantage to using dual gigabit connections here.

Yeah i guess this is true.. unless you are doing seperate backups at the same time to the same server.. its max throughput is still going to be say 60 MB/sec

Probably not worth the fuss.

johnwill · 06-12-2007, 01:58 PM

There you go.

Besides, you're running into the limitations of the hard disk and other devices unless you have multiple drives being separately accessed.

dthede · 12-16-2007, 10:54 AM

May be a lot of fuss, but I'm also curious how to do it. I don't know where the advantage would exactly be from a quantitative point of view, but I might find surprising results. Unfortunately, I won't get _any_ results 'til I try it.

01-26-2007, 07:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
markm75 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 349 OS: Vista x64	Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful? I'm building a 2TB (around 800 gb backed up on a full backup, all of which will go across the gigabit ethernet) server.. Is there any benefit to using dual gigabit connections on the backup server? Would I need it on my other 4 servers, sending the data as well, or just the backup server... Would these ports need trunked on the switch to be even more useful? I also am aware that setting the nics to use jumbo frames (~9000 setting) / MTU is desired.. is there a downside to this.. I cant do it with alot of my built in gigabit ethernet cards, even intel ones, there doesnt seem to be the option, so I'd probably have to add new cards to each server or just the backup server... Thanks

01-26-2007, 08:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Unless the disk subsystem is really speedy, I would imagine that one gigabit interface would be sufficient for the backup server. I suspect the added complexity of configuration would yield minimal benefits. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-27-2007, 10:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I think I'd go with the single NIC and see if there are any issues. If not, why go to the extra trouble. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-28-2007, 04:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Just also make sure to have a spare NIC incase during Disaster Recovery or something your NIC decides to go on strike. You "should" always have spare FRUs anyways, but make sure you have one anyways. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

06-11-2007, 12:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
markm75 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 349 OS: Vista x64	Re: Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful? Can anyone comment on how to do Trunking of dual gigabit lines? IE: Do i have to do a VLAN type setup on the gigabit router.. then set each port to be "trunked"? Do i then have to do anything on the OS itself on the server? IE: Highlight each LAN connection and do the bridging option or something else? Cheers

06-12-2007, 07:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful? I'm not getting where there will be any advantage to using dual gigabit connections here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

06-12-2007, 01:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful? There you go. Besides, you're running into the limitations of the hard disk and other devices unless you have multiple drives being separately accessed. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-16-2007, 10:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
dthede Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 3 OS: WinXP Pro, Server 2003	Re: Dual Gigabit ethernet for Backup Server helpful? May be a lot of fuss, but I'm also curious how to do it. I don't know where the advantage would exactly be from a quantitative point of view, but I might find surprising results. Unfortunately, I won't get _any_ results 'til I try it.