SQL Server Readiness Document
Prepared by: SQL Server - Premier Field Engineers
Date: March 2013
SQL Server Readiness Document
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SQL Server Readiness Document
Executive Summary
The purpose of this document is to provide a single reference point for those wishing to gain
a better understanding of SQL Server. This document will be updated over time, but please
ensure that you personally check for the latest updates to the material covered. By this we
mean, suggestions can change over time and from one service pack to another. Ensure you
learn the latest recommendations to be up to date and best placed to assist customers.
The key aims of this guide are to:
1. Provide a single source of information that can help you learn the key concepts of SQL
Server.
2. Provide an overview of key SQL Server components
3. Highlight dependencies and other information that an SQL Server engineer would need
to know
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SQL Server Readiness Document
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
1 Installing and Configuring SQL Server ................................................................................................................. 5
2 Maintaining SQL Server Instances ......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 SQL Server backup and restore ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 SQL Server Security ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.3 SQL Server Maintenance Plans: ..................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Performing Data Management Tasks .................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 Data import/export options in SQL Server : .......................................................................................................... 10
Data compression on SQL Server ....................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Managing Indexes: ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Collations best practice: ......................................................................................................................................................... 11
4 Monitoring and Troubleshooting SQL Server ................................................................................................... 12
4.1 SQL Server monitoring: .................................................................................................................................................. 12
5 Optimizing SQL Server Performance ................................................................................................................... 13
5.1 Resource Governor: ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.2 Extended Events in SQL Server: .................................................................................................................................. 13
6 SQL Server High Availability .................................................................................................................................. 15
6.1 SQL Server Clustering: .................................................................................................................................................... 15
6.2 SQL Server Database mirroring: ................................................................................................................................. 15
6.3 SQL Server Replication: .................................................................................................................................................. 17
6.4 Storage and Capacity Planning for SQL Server: ................................................................................................... 19
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SQL Server Readiness Document
1
Installing and Configuring SQL Server
SQL Server setup and the different components while considering installation.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb500395.
This document lists out the instructions on how to View and Read SQL Server Setup Log Files.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143702.aspx
How to Install SQL Server 2012 from the Command Prompt and how it can be used for the
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144259.aspx
Considerations for Installing SQL Server Using SysPrep. The sysprep is used in most of the
environments where we have multiple server installation required.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee210754.aspx
SQL Server Consolidation Guidance when we need to plan for the number of instances required
to support the environment.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee819082(SQL.100).aspx
Security Considerations for a SQL Server Installation
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144228.aspx
Known issues with SQL Setup discussed here,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/tags/setup/
Internals of SQL Server setup discussed at this blog by one of the program managers in SQL
Server setup development team.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/petersad/
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2
Maintaining SQL Server Instances
2.1
SQL Server backup and restore
The SQL Server backup and restore component provides an essential safeguard for protecting critical
data stored in your SQL Server databases. To minimize the risk of catastrophic data loss, you need to
back up your databases to preserve modifications to your data on a regular basis. A well-planned
backup and restore strategy helps protect databases against data loss caused by a variety of failures.
Basics of backup and restore of databases,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187048.aspx
How backup and recovery works in SQL Server,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187048.aspx
SQL Server: Recovering from Disasters Using Backups
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee677581.aspx
Best practice recommendations in database backup in SQL Server,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2027537
Internals: How does SQL Server Backup and Restore select transfer sizes
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/psssql/archive/2008/02/06/how-it-works-how-does-sql-serverbackup-and-restore-select-transfer-sizes.aspx
Clearing some myths on backup and restore,
http://sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/post/A-SQL-Server-DBA-myth-a-day-(3030)-backupmyths.aspx
Tuning the Performance of Backup Compression in SQL Server 2008
http://sqlcat.com/sqlcat/b/technicalnotes/archive/2008/04/21/tuning-the-performance-ofbackup-compression-in-sql-server-2008.aspx
Some known issues in backup/restore discussed,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/tags/backup/
2.2
SQL Server Security
This session is about discussing the SQL Server 2008 Security best practices from Operational
and administration point of view
http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2008/techtalk_61
This whitepaper brings together the recommended best practices for security in SQL Server
2005 environment,
SQL Server 2005 Security Best Practices: Operational and Administrative Tasks
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The details of SQL Server security for administrators explained in this whitepaper. This is very
useful for the DBA when we need to work in the secured environments.
Security Overview for Administrators
Some common and general SQL Server security issues and solutions discussed in this article.
Common SQL Server Security Issues and Solutions
A very interesting presentation on SQL Server forensics on the approach to drill down into the
root cause analysis of security issues in SQL Server.
SQL Server Database Forensics presentation
The blog by SQL Server security dev team which covers the more frequently faced issues and
features,
SQL Server Security blog
How to create and manage auditing with TSQL in SQL Server 2008 R2,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc280665(v=sql.105).aspx
How to view and modify the security settings when replication is implemented,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms147827(v=sql.105).aspx
Security & Encryption in SQL Server:
Encryption is the process of obfuscating data by the use of a key or password. This can make
the data useless without the corresponding decryption key or password. Encryption does not
solve access control problems. However, it enhances security by limiting data loss even if access
controls are bypassed. For example, if the database host computer is misconfigured and a
hacker obtains sensitive data, that stolen information might be useless if it is encrypted. You can
use encryption in SQL Server for connections, data, and stored procedures.
Encryption in SQL Server:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb510663.aspx
With the introduction of transparent data encryption (TDE) in SQL Server 2008, users now have
the choice between cell-level encryption as in SQL Server 2005, full database-level encryption by
using TDE, or the file-level encryption options provided by Windows. TDE is the optimal choice
for bulk encryption to meet regulatory compliance or corporate data security standards. TDE
works at the file level, which is similar to two Windows® features: the Encrypting File System
(EFS) and BitLocker™ Drive Encryption, the new volume-level encryption introduced in Windows
Vista®,both of which also encrypt data on the hard drive. TDE does not replace cell-level
encryption, EFS, or BitLocker. This white paper compares TDE with these other encryption
methods for application developers and database administrators. While this is not a technical,
in-depth review of TDE, technical implementations are explored and a familiarity with concepts
such as virtual log files and the buffer pool are assumed. The user is assumed to be familiar with
cell-level encryption and cryptography in general. Implementing database encryption is
covered, but not the rationale for encrypting a database.
Transparent data encryption (TDE) discussed here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc278098(v=sql.100).aspx
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How to replicate the data in encrypted column,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb326115.aspx
How to ensure the threat and vulnerability mitigation in case of replication,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb510673(SQL.100).aspx
2.3
SQL Server Maintenance Plans:
Maintenance plans create a workflow of the tasks required to make sure that your database is
optimized, is backed up on a regular basis, and is free of inconsistencies. Maintenance plans create an
Integration Services package that is run by a SQL Server Agent job. These maintenance tasks can be
run manually or automatically at scheduled intervals. You can use the Maintenance Plan Wizard to
create core maintenance plans, but creating plans manually gives you more flexibility.
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The basics of sql server maintenance plan explained in this article,
http://blogs.technet.com/b/accidental_dba/archive/2011/06/29/sql-server-maintenanceplans.aspx
Best tips for maintaining the database which includes the maintenance plan guidance as well as
the tasks that should be included in the mostly used maintenance plans.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2008.08.database.aspx
This article explains how to use the maintenance plan wizard to create effective maintenance
plans for the environment.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/john_daskalakis/archive/2010/01/07/9945147.aspx
The maintenance plan runs as a separate process on the server as it uses the SSIS to save the
package and then use the package during the execution. So we are using dtexec.exe in the
background when using the maintenance plans that are packages. This article explains some
options and issues while we run the maintenance plan.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jorgepc/archive/2010/02/04/running-a-maintenance-plan-usingdtexec-exe-command-prompt-utitlyt-does-not-execute-any-action.aspx
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3
Performing Data Management Tasks
3.1
Data import/export options in SQL Server :
Import and Export Bulk Data by Using the bcp Utility
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa337544.aspx
Partitioned Tables and Indexes in SQL Server 2008
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd578580(SQL.100).aspx
How to Implement an Automatic Sliding Window in a Partitioned Table on SQL Server 2005
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa964122(SQL.90).aspx
Partitioning switch considerations
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlprogrammability/archive/2009/04/10/sql-server-2005-2008-tablepartitioning-important-things-to-consider-when-switching-out-partitions.aspx
Partition level locking and performance,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/archive/2010/03/04/enabling-partition-level-locking-in-sqlserver-2008.aspx
Data compression on SQL Server:
Types of data compression in SQL Server 2008
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2007/11/12/types-of-datacompression-in-sql-server-2008.aspx?Redirected=true
Data Compression: Strategy, Capacity Planning and Best Practices
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd894051(v=sql.100).aspx
Data compression, why do we need it?
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2007/09/30/data-compression-whydo-we-need-it.aspx
Data compression techniques and trade offs
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2007/09/30/data-compressiontechniques-and-trade-offs.aspx
3.2
Managing Indexes:
Best practices white paper on the indexing and the advantage/disadvantage of using clustered
index and non-clustered indexes.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc917672.aspx
Partitioned table and index strategies in SQL Server 2008
http://download.microsoft.com/download/D/B/D/DBDE7972-1EB9-470A-BA1858849DB3EB3B/PartTableAndIndexStrat.docx
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Reorganize and rebuild indexes,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189858.aspx
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Index defragmentation best practices,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966523.aspx
A lot of articles about the database maintenance best practices & recommendations in this blog
by Kimberly Tripp:
http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/KIMBERLY/post/Database-Maintenance-Best-Practices-Part-Ie28093-clarifying-ambiguous-recommendations-for-Sharepoint.aspx
Collations best practice:
Various properties affect the sort order and equality semantics of textual data, including case
sensitivity, accent sensitivity, and the base language being used. These qualities are expressed to SQL
Server through the choice of collation for the data.
This article describes the collation and Unicode support in SQL Server,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143726.aspx
How to change a existing database collation
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325335
This whitepaper discusses about the best practice for collation changes. This is mostly seen in
scenarios where we have companies spread across different geographic locations and
maintaining different collations as per the location and languages.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113891
This whitepaper talks about the best practices in using the different collations and Unicode data
types.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=113890
Collation specific concerns in contained databases explained.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff929080.aspx
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4
Monitoring and Troubleshooting SQL Server
4.1
SQL Server monitoring:
There are a variety of tools and techniques that can be used to monitor Microsoft SQL Server.
Understanding how to monitor SQL Server can help you. There are 3rd party tools to monitor the SQL
Server but we will provide only the ones that are available in SQL server itself and not the outside
tools.
Perf monitoring how to topics listed,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187830(v=sql.105).aspx
How to use activity monitor to check the sql server details,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh212951
How to use the system monitor to monitor the resource usage on Windows server, including the
SQL Server components,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191246.aspx
Monitor SQL Server log shipping,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190224.aspx
Guidance on how to monitor the SQL Server performance,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee377023(v=bts.10).aspx
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5
Optimizing SQL Server Performance
5.1
Resource Governor:
Resource Governor enables you to manage SQL Server workloads and resources by specifying limits
on resource consumption by incoming requests. In the Resource Governor context, workload is a set
of similarly sized queries or requests that can, and should be, treated as a single entity. This is not a
requirement, but the more uniform the resource usage pattern of a workload is, the more benefit you
are likely to derive from Resource Governor. Resource limits can be reconfigured in real time with
minimal impact on workloads that are executing.
The how and what concepts of resource governor explained here,
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb933866.aspx
This whitepaper discusses about the methods on how to use the SQL server resource governor,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee151608(v=sql.100).aspx
Some good questions about the resource governor answered here by the support team,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/psssql/archive/2008/01/10/sql-server-2008-resource-governorquestions.aspx
5.2
Extended Events in SQL Server:
Extended Events (Extended Events) is a general event-handling system for server systems. The
Extended Events infrastructure supports the correlation of data from SQL Server, and under certain
conditions, the correlation of data from the operating system and database applications. In the latter
case, Extended Events output must be directed to Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) to correlate the
event data with operating system or application event data.
Extended Events is a highly scalable and highly configurable architecture that allows users to collect as
much or as little information as is necessary to troubleshoot or identify a performance problem. SQL
Server Extended Events (Extended Events) builds on existing concepts, such as an event or an event
consumer, uses concepts from Event Tracing for Windows, and introduces new concepts.
Extended events basics and concepts explained,
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630282.aspx
Jonathan kehayias has done a series of blogs for the extended events which is a great learning
series for the beginners,
http://sqlblog.com/blogs/jonathan_kehayias/archive/2010/12/01/a-xevent-a-day-31-days-ofextended-events.aspx
Extended events object model is explained in detail by the program manager for xevents in SQL
Server team,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/extended_events/archive/2011/01/20/introducing-the-extendedevents-object-model.aspx
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How to use the new Extended events user interface in SQL Server 2012,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/extended_events/archive/2011/07/13/introducing-the-extendedevents-user-interface.aspx
From SQL Server 2012 onwards, extended events replaces SQL profiler trace for the data
collection activities. SQL profiler is already a handy tool for the DBA during the troubleshooting.
So refer to this article which talks about how to ease the pain of migrating to extended events
from profiler traces.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/extended_events/archive/2010/12/10/migrating-from-sql-trace-toextended-events.aspx
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6
SQL Server High Availability
6.1
SQL Server Clustering:
SQL Server clustering basics covered in this paper,
Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Clustering Basics
SQL Server 2008 Failover cluster explained in detail in this whitepaper,
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/9/D/69D1FEA7-5B42-437A-B3BAA4AD13E34EF6/SQLServer2008FailoverCluster.docx
Steps to create a SQL Server cluster,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/clustering/archive/2008/01/18/7151154.aspx?Redirected=true
Understanding Backup and Recovery Basics for a Failover Cluster
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771973.aspx
Some good tips regarding the myths in SQL Server clustering provided by SQLPASS,
Busting 6 SQL Server Failover Clustering Myths
Whitepapers regarding the multisite clustering in windows server 2008,
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13153
6.2
SQL Server Database mirroring:
Database mirroring maintains two copies of a single database that must reside on different server
instances of SQL Server Database Engine. Typically, these server instances reside on computers in
different locations. Starting database mirroring on a database, initiates a relationship, known as a
database mirroring session, between these server instances
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A basic database mirroring configuration mentioned above with principal, witness and mirror being
separate instances.
Database mirroring technology overview,
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc917680.aspx
Database Mirroring Best Practices and Performance Considerations
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc917681.aspx
Database mirroring and log shipping details and comparisons explained,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187016.aspx
Troubleshooting guide for setting up database mirroring,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189127.aspx
Database Mirroring and Log Shipping Working Together
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb671430.aspx
Implementing Application Failover with Database Mirroring:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb671430.aspx
Database Mirroring Best Practices and Performance Considerations
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb671430.aspx
Database Mirroring FAQ:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/dbmirfaq.mspx
Performance Boost for Database Mirroring:
http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/post/SQL-Server-2008-Performance-boost-for-DatabaseMirroring.aspx
(Some of these were written for SQL 2005 but still apply to SQL 2008 and later)
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6.3
SQL Server Replication:
Where to start understanding replication,
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151198.aspx
The different types of replication available in SQL Server,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms152531.aspx
How merge replication works,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151329(v=sql.105).aspx
How Transactional replication works,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151176.aspx
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Getting started with transactional replication,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/archive/2010/03/03/links-for-getting-started-withtransactional-replication.aspx
High level transactional replication workflow explained,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/archive/2010/02/03/high-level-transactionalreplication-process-flow.aspx
Security options in replication,
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151187.aspx
SQL Server security best practices for replication,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms151227.aspx
Geo replication and advantages in SQL Server 2008 on Windows server 2008,
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd263442(v=sql.100).aspx
Whitepaper discussing co-existence of SQL server replication and database mirroring,
http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/6/F/06F6E21B-F8BA-41FF-924EC1903911AADB/SQL%20Server%202008%20Replication%20and%20Database%20Mirro
ring%20White%20Paper.DOCx
Useful guides for troubleshooting replication and known issues,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/archive/2010/02/04/first-steps-in-troubleshootingreplication.aspx
Merge replication capacity planning,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/archive/2010/06/28/merge-replication-capacityplanning.aspx
Helpful References and Links on Setting up Merge Web Synchronization
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/archive/2010/04/21/helpful-references-and-links-onsetting-up-merge-web-synchronization.aspx
Useful info regarding SQL Server replication from the SQL Server support team in
Microsoft,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/tags/replication/
Blog by the SQL Server replication expert team in MS Support,
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/repltalk/
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6.4
Storage and Capacity Planning for SQL Server:
Storage Top 10 Best Practices
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966534.aspx
Top SQL Server 2005 Performance Issues for OLTP Applications
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966401.aspx
SQL Server 2000 I/O Basics
Learn the I/O requirements for Microsoft SQL Server database file operations. This will
help you increase system performance and avoid I/O environment errors.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966500.aspx
Physical Database Storage Design
This article provides a guide for physical storage design and gives recommendations
and trade-offs for physical hardware design and file architecture.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966414.aspx
For details on tasks to perform and technical items to understand *before* deploying
your application and SQL Server:
Pre-deployment I/O Best Practices: SQL Server Best Practices Article
The I/O system is important to the performance of SQL Server. When configuring a new
server for SQL Server or when adding or modifying the disk configuration of an existing
system, it is good practice to determine the capacity of the I/O subsystem prior to
deploying SQL Server. This white paper discusses validating and determining the
capacity of an I/O subsystem. A number of tools are available for performing this type
of testing. This white paper focuses on the SQLIO.exe tool, but also compares all
available tools. It also covers basic I/O configuration best practices for SQL Server 2005.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc966412.aspx
Understanding how to analyze I/O and size a storage system:
Understanding how to analyze the characteristics of I/O patterns in the Microsoft® SQL
Server® data management software and how they relate to a physical storage
configuration is useful in determining deployment requirements for any given
workload. A well-performing I/O subsystem is a critical component of any SQL Server
application. I/O subsystems should be sized in the same manner as other hardware
components such as memory and CPU. As workloads increase it is common to increase
the number of CPUs and increase the amount of memory. Increasing disk resources is
often necessary to achieve the right performance, even if there is already enough
capacity to hold the data.
Analyzing I/O Characteristics and Sizing Storage Systems for SQL Server Database
Applications
http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/E/1/BE1AABB3-6ED8-4C3C-AF91448AB733B1AF/Analyzing%20Characterizing%20and%20IO%20Size%20Considerations.
docx
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Capacity planning and best practices specific to Data Compression:
The data compression feature in SQL Server 2008 helps compress the data inside a
database, and it can help reduce the size of the database. Apart from the space savings,
data compression provides another benefit: Because compressed data is stored in
fewer pages, queries need to read fewer pages from the disk, thereby improving the
performance of I/O intensive workloads. However, extra CPU resources are required on
the database server to compress and decompress the data, while data is exchanged
with the application. Therefore, it is important to understand the workload
characteristics when deciding which tables to compress.
Data Compression: Strategy, Capacity Planning and Best Practices
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd894051(SQL.100).aspx
Analyzing performance of the disks in Windows:
Disk Subsystem Performance Analysis for Windows
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/b/a/eba1050f-a31d-436b-928192cdfeae4b45/subsys_perf.doc
Disk partition alignment best practices:
Disk partition alignment is a powerful tool for improving SQL Server performance.
Configuring optimal disk performance is often viewed as much art as science. A best
practice that is essential yet often overlooked is disk partition alignment. Windows
Server 2008 attempts to align new partitions out-of-the-box, yet disk partition
alignment remains a relevant technology for partitions created on prior versions of
Windows.
Disk Partition Alignment Best Practices for SQL Server
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd758814(SQL.100).aspx
Loading Data into SQL Server:
This document described techniques for bulk loading large data sets into SQL Server. It
covers both the available techniques as well as methodologies to performance tune
and optimize the bulk loading process.
The Data Loading Performance Guide
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd425070(SQL.100).aspx
Recommendation when deploying SQL Server 2005 on a SAN:
Deploying SQL Server 2005 with SAN #1
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/archive/2005/10/11/479887.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
SQL Server 2005 Configuration Blog #2
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/archive/2005/11/21/495440.aspx
Deploying SQL Server 2005 with SAN #3
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/archive/2005/11/17/493944.aspx
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Proper configuration of SQL Server TEMPDB:
Concurrency enhancements for TEMDB
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328551
Capacity Planning for TEMPDB
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345368(SQL.90).aspx
TEMPDB Capacity Planning and Concurrency Considerations for Index Create and
Rebuild
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/bestpractice/tempdb_capacity_pla
nning_index.mspx
For maximum capacities in SQL Server:
Maximum Capacity Specifications for SQL Server
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143432.aspx
To download SQLIO and SQLIOSim:
SQLIO Disk Subsystem Benchmark Tool (SQLIO is a tool provided by Microsoft which
can also be used to determine the I/O capacity of a given configuration.)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9A8B005B-84E4-4F248D65-CB53442D9E19&displaylang=en
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