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There are no set guidelines in a SAN as far as volume creation. This is true for software based volumes, and virtual LUNs carved from a storage array.
One benefit of using hardware based LUNs is there is no overhead on the host when accessing those LUNs. Metavolumes can be created using a variety of third party software, and offer the convenience of host-based control for sizing and dispersion either through or across hardware arrays. If your storage provider cannot provide hardware based LUNs of the size your users require, then it may be necessary to use a software based volume approach.
Performance is always paramount and spreading application load among as many spindles as possible will reduce hot spots. If the array can do this in hardware (like HDS does, 36Mb to 1.7TB volumes) then use the hardware for better performance. If you can spread out the volumes via software (VERITAS), then that would also be a benefit if your storage vendor cannot do it.
Chris
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