Loading a PDW Region in APS - SQL Server Integration Services Design Patterns - page 231

Note For simplicity, we will examine APS configurations comprised only of PDW.
It's worth noting, however, that both PDW and HDInsight can run side-by-side in the
same appliance through the use of separate hardware regions dedicated to each applica-
tion. Microsoft calls this configuration a multi-region appliance .
The base rack is the smallest unit available for purchase and contains everything
required to run a SQL Server PDW region. Depending on the hardware vendor, the
minimum configuration will include either two or three Compute nodes. Similarly, the
scale unit —that is, the number of compute nodes required to increase the capacity of
the appliance—is dependent on vendor and will either be two or three Compute nodes.
For all base racks, irrespective of hardware vendor, the top of the base rack includes the
following:
• Two redundant InfiniBand switches
• Two redundant Ethernet switches
• One active server, which contains VMs for
• SQL Server PDW Control node
• Management and Active Directory
• Fabric Active Directory
• Hyper-V Virtual Machine Manager
• One passive spare server
The bottom of the base rack includes additional servers and storage. To add more
storage or processing capacity, add scale units to the base rack until the base rack is
full.
Note For simplicity and consistency, we will use depictions of Dell's hardware con-
figurations. However, please do not mistake that as an endorsement on the part of the
authors. We suggest you review the offerings of each hardware vendor and make the se-
lection that best meets your requirements.
Once the base rack is full, you can continue to add near-linear scalability to your
APS appliance by adding one or more expansion racks. All expansion racks, irrespect-
ive of hardware vendor, are comprised of the following: