[rpug]

We are actually planning to buy some NetApp equipment and have heard nothing but good things.

I am very curious as to why a two disk failure caused an outage. What exactly happened when both disks failed?

[dh]

We have used NetApp for years and decided to move to Pillar Data Systems as they are much more forward thinking, easier to work with and understand storage systems at a very deep level. NetApp wants you to buy new equipment every few years and force this by increasing support costs very quickly.

The 2 disk failure did not cause the outage, but the process the filer head had to go through to get the data back onto new drives and then further actions taken with SnapMirror and other items to try and recover faster.

[spoold]

The way you've worded this, and the official response, it reads like you didn't have hot spares available?

That being the case, the two disk failures didn't need to be concurrent for you to end up where you did...

[dh]

RAID-DP and the array always has a hot spare, and we had one cold spare on-site and another there within hours to replace the 2nd failure.

[rpug]

dh, Could you send me an email? my username @ tripadvisor.com

I'd love to chat a bit about your experiences.. I'll even take you out to lunch (I'm right down the street in Newton). :P

[dh]

You should have an email from me. Happy to chat anytime.