VPS with a single SSD as storage

[fapvps]

In an effort to offer lower priced plans we are considering launching a node that offers a single ssd as storage. This will only be one plan and it will be explicitly stated that this plan is not protected from single disk failure but still has the weekly backups. I just want to collect some input on this idea. Would there be any interest in such an offer?

 

[MartinD]

Do you mean 1 single SSD drive for the whole node or single SSD drives for each VPS?

 

[Reece-DM]

Do you mean 1 single SSD drive for the whole node or single SSD drives for each VPS?

That's what I'm wondering.

I could imagine a single disk for the whole node would cause problems with high usage.

A SSD drive per VPS, I can't see anything inexpensive about that either.

Please elaborate a bit more?

 

[fapvps]

The node would have multiple high capacity SSD's configured simply as single drives. VPS storage containers will be stored on those drives, it is as simple as that.

 

[drmike]

Interesting.  Need to better outline the plan though.

I take it you are going to run a RAID or some redundant idea for the actual server boot, main OS, etc.?

Then the user / customer files, those go on chunks on individual non-RAID SSD storage (i.e. you have 4+ SSD drives that are separate storage chunks in non RAID).   Roughly what you are considering?

Others will tell you not to  This is how I run some servers/workstations.  Haven't had any problems in years of doing this.

SSD failure rates are something I'd worry about and keep spares stocked at the datacenter.  I'd also pack spinning disks on the node for backups on the node just in case as well as external backups.

I don't see any problem with it, but I am weird like that

 

[fapvps]

Interesting.  Need to better outline the plan though.

I take it you are going to run a RAID or some redundant idea for the actual server boot, main OS, etc.?

Then the user / customer files, those go on chunks on individual non-RAID SSD storage (i.e. you have 4+ SSD drives that are separate storage chunks in non RAID).   Roughly what you are considering?

Others will tell you not to  This is how I run some servers/workstations.  Haven't had any problems in years of doing this.

SSD failure rates are something I'd worry about and keep spares stocked at the datacenter.  I'd also pack spinning disks on the node for backups on the node just in case as well as external backups.

I don't see any problem with it, but I am weird like that

That is exactly the idea. The main os will be on raid 1. There will be spare ssds at the datacenter in case of failure. We keep a spare of everything at the DC (Even a rackmountable power strip just in case. We are considering daily + weekly backups also. The customer would have a 512MB 5 GB SSD plan for less than $3/month.

 

[Damian]

I don't see the advantage to this that spending $300 for a non-caching RAID 50/60 controller wouldn't offer redundant benefits on. I'd rather spend the $300 for the RAID controller and not have to do PR cleanup when an SSD dies and client data is lost and the client complains on a public venue.

Is my small mind missing something bright there?

 

[drmike]

I don't see the advantage to this that spending $300 for a non-caching RAID 50/60 controller wouldn't offer redundant benefits on. Is my small mind missing something bright there?

Unsure how the OP buys servers and the availability of drive bays and controller upgrades.  That said,  I've done this sort of thing on 1U units with officially 2 drive slots only and crammed for space internals.  The board - server board - in these cases has built in RAID support and upwards of 6 drive channels.   Meaning 2 spinning drives in the bays and then 2-4 SSDs "embedded" in the server.

I am no fan of RAID headaches and like to isolate files normally on different media.  So it's a logical extension of years of habit on my end.

I think it's certainly doable, I do it and have done it.  Providers will frown like I've said

Why to do this?  Lower costs, making do with more (i.e. 1U servers), isolating certain work loads....  Those are main reasons I see.

 

[sleddog]

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

I make my own backups, so I can restore if need be.

But any reputable host today needs to provide some level of raid to avoid single-disk failure being immediately catastrophic.

 

[Slownode]

I wonder how well RAID5 would work with SSD... it's awful with HDD.


Could have a ton of triples, then you'd get capacity and reasonable protection.


Or... you RAID0 SSDs and have HDD storage, 2 virtual drives, one stupid fast, one purely for backups.

 

[fapvps]

I don't see the advantage to this that spending $300 for a non-caching RAID 50/60 controller wouldn't offer redundant benefits on. I'd rather spend the $300 for the RAID controller and not have to do PR cleanup when an SSD dies and client data is lost and the client complains on a public venue.

Is my small mind missing something bright there?

The controller plus the 2 ssds worth of storage for parity that will be at least $1200. This is for those who want the best deal. Even with raid it is possible (However unlikely) that all the data will be lost. The controller could malfunction and corrupt the raid volume.

 

[fapvps]

I wonder how well RAID5 would work with SSD... it's awful with HDD. Could have a ton of triples, then you'd get capacity and reasonable protection. Or... you RAID0 SSDs and have HDD storage, 2 virtual drives, one stupid fast, one purely for backups.

Enterprise grade SSD's are great for for RAID5. Consumer grade ssds not so much in my experience.

 

[sleddog]

Well I'm confused. Will my VPS be RAIDed or not? The topic of your post says "single SSD" but now you're talking about RAID5...

 

[Slownode]

Enterprise grade SSD's are great for for RAID5. Consumer grade ssds not so much in my experience.

Oh well; running loose individual SSDs would be just fine as long as there's local backup storage.

 

[fapvps]

Well I'm confused. Will my VPS be RAIDed or not? The topic of your post says "single SSD" but now you're talking about RAID5...

The RAID5 was offtopic. The whole point of the thread is to figure out if it makes sense to offer an SSD plan without any RAID for Cheaper.

 

[clarity]

It seems like it would be a lot more work for you. I am sure that you could spell it out, and customers are still going to want the performance of the other products. It doesn't seem like it would be that good of an idea. I know that I would never purchase it.

 

[sleddog]

OK, thanks.

Then I think it your success depends on how you plan to market it. RAID is a standard, even with most lowend hosts. So if you offer something without RAID then you need to clearly state: "warning: your VPS could go POOF! at any moment, and you will need to rebuild from your backups."

 

[fapvps]

It seems like it would be a lot more work for you. I am sure that you could spell it out, and customers are still going to want the performance of the other products. It doesn't seem like it would be that good of an idea. I know that I would never purchase it.

It is about choice. You can buy the Single Core SSD Plan for $5.99 ($4.19 after promo code) or if you wish you can buy the same plan without RAID for $3.99 ($2.79). It is as simple as that.

 

[fapvps]

OK, thanks.

Then I think it your success depends on how you plan to market it. RAID is a standard, even with most lowend hosts. So if you offer something without RAID then you need to clearly state: "warning: your VPS could go POOF! at any moment, and you will need to rebuild from your backups."

It will be very clearly stated in the product description.

 

[sleddog]

It will be very clearly stated in the product description.

Fine. That allows consumers to decide. Don't forget the POOF! bit