For a transactional database with performance as the primary concern, which disk type should be recommended?

In a transactional database where performance is critical, recommending SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) disks is a suitable choice due to several key attributes. SAS drives typically offer faster data transfer rates compared to other disk types, which is essential for handling the high volume of read and write operations that transactional databases experience.

Additionally, SAS drives are designed for 24/7 operation, making them reliable for enterprise applications that require constant availability. They also provide higher IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second), which is crucial for transactional workloads where quick access to data is necessary to maintain performance levels.

While other types, such as FC (Fibre Channel), are also known for high-speed connections, SAS is more commonly used within servers and storage arrays due to its balanced cost and performance ratio. iSCSI can provide good performance over a network but typically does not match the direct connection efficiency of SAS. SATA, designed primarily for consumer applications, lacks the performance and reliability features needed for critical transactional operations.