SQL Quiz #5 – SANs the Star the Show Must Go On(Mirroring)?

Okay, Jorge Segarra (@SQLChicken) tagged me in Chris Shaw’s (@SQLShaw) latest SQL Quiz, SAN’s and Mirroring.  I’m a little behind the curve on this one as I’ve been busy, and to be honest, I have no real experience with either, but I’ve always got an opinion.  So here we go:

1. Do you feel that you have a reliable SAN Solution? If so what is the secret?
• Since I don’t have a SAN solution I guess it’s as reliable as it can get.  My current workplace is migrating more to SQL Server, but we currently have 1 production SQL Server where the biggest DB is about 5GB , so we don’t need a SAN for SQL Server, at least not for space.  We could use a SAN for our Exchange and File servers, but those aren’t my issue.
2. Describe database mirroring in laymen’s terms.
• Mirroring is kind of like the star of a Broadway show and their understudy.  They both get the script, memorize all the lines, and rehearse all the scenes, but the understudy only gets to perform for the audience if something happens to the star.  The only difference is that in Mirroring once the understudy gets the starring role hopefully only you know the change happened.

I’m not going to tag anyone as this has been out a couple of weeks and I think all my blogging friends have been tagged.  Here are a few other people who answered:

• Tom LaRock (@SQLRockstar)
• Brian Kelley (@kbriankelley)
• Gail Shaw
• Grant Fritchey (@GFritchey)
• Brent Ozar (@BrentO)
• Jason Massie (@StatisticsIO)