SAP HANA Storage Performance: io2 Block Express vs gp3
A company has an SAP HANA database running on an EC2 instance with 1.9 TB of memory. The database requires persistent storage. The solutions architect must choose a storage configuration that provides the highest IOPS and throughput while maintaining data durability. Which storage option should the architect choose?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use multiple io2 EBS volumes with Block Express striped together using LVM. This configuration is correct because io2 Block Express volumes deliver up to 256,000 IOPS and 4,000 MB/s throughput per volume, and striping them with LVM linearly scales those limits to meet the extreme demands of a 1.9 TB memory SAP HANA database, while EBS replication ensures data durability within an Availability Zone. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of SAP HANA storage performance requirements and the specific capabilities of io2 Block Express versus gp3, which cannot match the needed IOPS and throughput at scale. A common trap is choosing instance store volumes for their raw speed, but they lack persistence and durability. Memory tip: for HANA, think “io2 Block Express for IOPS and persistence” — the “2” reminds you of the dual need for high performance and durability.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume a single high-performance EBS volume (io2 Block Express) is sufficient, but they overlook that SAP HANA's performance requirements for a 1.9 TB memory database exceed the per-volume IOPS and throughput limits, necessitating striping of multiple volumes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use multiple io2 EBS volumes with Block Express striped together using LVM.
It combines multiple io2 Block Express EBS volumes striped via LVM, which delivers the highest possible IOPS and throughput for SAP HANA on AWS. io2 Block Express volumes support up to 256,000 IOPS and 4,000 MB/s throughput per volume, and striping multiple volumes linearly scales these limits to meet the demands of a 1.9 TB memory HANA database. This configuration also ensures data durability through EBS replication within an Availability Zone, unlike instance store volumes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use multiple io2 EBS volumes with Block Express striped together using LVM.
Why this is correct
Striping multiple io2 Block Express volumes provides high IOPS and throughput with durability.
- ✗
Use a single io2 Block Express EBS volume of the required size.
Why it's wrong here
Single volume may not provide enough IOPS for 1.9 TB HANA; striping multiple volumes is recommended.
- ✗
Use multiple gp3 EBS volumes striped together with LVM.
Why it's wrong here
gp3 has lower max IOPS per volume than io2; for large HANA, io2 is preferred.
- ✗
Use NVMe instance store volumes for the HANA data and log areas.
Why it's wrong here
Instance store is ephemeral; data is lost on instance stop/termination.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on PAS-C01
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is migrating its SAP HANA database to AWS. The database requires high I/O and low latency. Which storage option should be used for the /hana/data volume?
medium- ✓ A.io2 EBS volume
- B.gp3 EBS volume
- C.Amazon S3
- D.Amazon EFS
Why A: The /hana/data volume for SAP HANA requires high I/O and low latency, which is best met by io2 EBS volumes. io2 volumes are provisioned IOPS SSD volumes designed for latency-sensitive transactional workloads, offering up to 64,000 IOPS per volume and 99.999% durability, making them ideal for SAP HANA data files.
Variation 2. A company is deploying a new SAP HANA database on AWS and needs to ensure the EBS volumes are optimized for throughput. Which EBS volume type should be used for the HANA data and log volumes?
medium- A.sc1
- ✓ B.io2 Block Express
- C.gp3
- D.st1
Why B: For SAP HANA data and log volumes, io2 Block Express (option B) is the correct choice because it provides the highest throughput and IOPS consistency required for SAP HANA's demanding workload. io2 Block Express supports up to 256,000 IOPS and 4,000 MB/s throughput per volume, with 99.999% durability, making it ideal for mission-critical SAP HANA databases on AWS.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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