Architecture decisions for storage

The following tables summarize the storage architecture decisions for SAP on VPC:

Architecture decisions for Bare Metal storage

The following are architecture decisions for Bare Metal storage for this design.

Architecture decisions for Bare Metal storage
Architecture decision Requirement Decision Rationale
Primary Storage Local file storage on bare metal Local Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) storage All SAP Certified Bare Metal Servers have local NVMe storage. Block and file storage aren't applicable.
Backup Storage Backup storage for Bare Metal Servers Block storage
IBM Cloud Object Storage
  • IBM Cloud Object Storage is more cost effective.
  • Combine block and IBM Cloud Object Storage for long-term needs.
Archive Storage Archive Storage for Bare Metal Servers IBM Cloud Object Storage IBM Cloud Object Storage is used for cost optimized options such as archiving

Architecture decisions for VSIs

The following are architecture decisions for VSI storage for this design.

Architecture decisions for VSIs
Architecture decision Requirement Decision Rationale
Primary Storage Primary storage for VSIs Block Storage
  • Use a mix of IOPs block storage for production workloads and less cost storage when high IOPs are not required
    *SAP HANA production systems require 10 IOPS/GB block storage
  • *(Recommended IOPS for Log File System and Data File System is 10 IOPS. Recommended IOPS for Shared file System is 5 IOPS)
  • 3 IOPS for application servers
  • 5 IOPS for nonproduction databases
  • Block allows clustering of volumes at the application layer for higher IOPS
Backup Storage Backup storage for VSIs combination of IBM Cloud Object Storage and Block Storage
  • Combine Block, Endurance, and IBM Cloud Object Storage for long-term needs
  • IBM Cloud Object Storage is used for cost optimized options for Backups
  • IBM Cloud Object Storage Regional or Cross Regional based on availability
Archive Storage Archive storage for VSIs IBM Cloud Object Storage IBM Cloud Object Storage cold vault or archiving tier is used for cost optimized options such as archiving
Storage Considerations Storage Types Block Storage
  • SDP IOPS - 20-3000 IOPS/GB, IOPS per volume - 3000-64000, Max Throughput - 8192 Mbps, Capacity - 1GB - 32 TB, Generation - Gen 2
  • General-purpose IOPS - 3 IOPS/GB, IOPS per Volume - 100-48000, Max Throughput - 5360 Mbps, Capacity - 10GB - 16TB, Generation - Gen 1
  • 5iops-tier IOPS - 5 IOPS/GB, IOPS per Volume - 5-48000, Max Throughput - 6144 Mbps, Capacity - 10 GB - 9.6 TB, Generation - Gen 1
  • 10iops-tier IOPS - 10 IOPS/GB, IOPS per Volume - 10-48000, Max Throughput - 8192 Mbps, Capacity - 10 GB - 4.8 TB, Generation - Gen 1
  • custom IOPS - 1-100 IOPS/GB, IOPS per Volume - 100-48000, Max Throughput - 8192 Mbps, Capacity - 10 GB - 16 TB, Generation - Gen 1
SDP Storage (New Gen 2 Storage) Storage Type Block Storage
  • SDP - Cloud Block Storage now offers Gen 2 sdp (SSD defined performance) profiles, bringing enhanced scalability, performance, and flexibility to meet modern workload demands.
  • Enhanced Scalability: Gen 2 SDP allows for scalable storage solutions, accommodating a wide range of workloads.
  • Flexibility: Customers can configure capacity, IOPS, and throughput independently, tailoring storage to specific performance needs.
  • Zero-Downtime Migration: In-place migration from Gen 1 to Gen 2 SDP is available without disrupting running workloads.
  • Cost Efficiency: The Gen 2 SDP profile includes 3,000 IOPS and 125 MB/s throughput by default, simplifying provisioning and reducing costs.
  • Future-Proofing: The profile supports future enhancements and can handle up to 64,000 IOPS and 1,024 MB/s.
  • (SDP is not extensively tested and its new, the current recommendations for SAP: For HANA Database systems and its associated applications VPC block (Gen 1) storage is recommended).
  • (For non -HANA databases SDP can be used).
  • ( For Standalone Apps and Auxiliary Systems e.g. IaaS, CIS, Web dispatcher, cloud connectors etc SDP can be used).
Regional File Storage (New) Storage Type File Storage
  • Regional File Storage (RFS) is a multi-zone service that complements the single-zone flavor of File Storage for VPC. RFS offers regional resiliency with multi-zone HA, ZERO RPO synchronous replication across zones and multi-zone access from any compute instance within an MZR. With RFS, enterprises with stringent availability requirements can ensure business continuity even in the event of a zonal disruption.
Data and storage migration
For more information, see Moving SAP Workloads		 Migration tools from existing environment to PowerVS Migration tools from existing environment to PowerVS Image import removes the need for testing and is useful for nonproduction and PoC systems
DB DR replication Using Native DB replication minimizes the need for testing efforts
SAP Standard Migration tools SAP Standard Migration options like SWPM, DMO
Backup and restore tools Aspera for high-speed data transfer is ideal for migrations
Aspera data transfer Minimize business disruption due to migration. Minimize the cost and efforts that are incurred in testing migrated databases.