Featured Article(s)
Troubleshooting problems with connection to SQL Server 2005 (Part 1)
In this article, you can find the description of SQL Server 2005 connection bugs and the information on how to resolve or work around these problems.
SQL Server Performance Dashboard
Sometimes catching that odd SQL Server performance issue just requires seeing things in a different light. If you’re interested in setting up a SQL Server performance dashboard, one showing the key and relevant SQL Server and Windows metric, historical information including disk metrics and lot more, you need to check out SQL Sentry Performance Advisor. You’ll be able to see these key areas, plus calendar-based views of top SQL statements, blocks and deadlocks and much more. Get a free trial download and see how things are running on your own systems. Great information can lead to great insights.
Initial Virtualization Feedback
David wrote in with his experience in the virtualization of servers – and it essential mirrors what we’ve seen and have been hearing on the street. Basically, you have to be careful what you’re putting into a virtual-type environment, and you have be aware of the types of applications and services that make more, and less, sense as virtual configurations.
"We are running away from virtualization. We have seen that the throughput to the disk subsystem suffers greatly. In the case of an instance using ISCSI with Gb NICs, we could only get a sustained transfer of 25Mb/s. When we looked at the 4 Gb Fiber Channel, we saw about 68Mb/s for our sustained throughput.
So next I used similar hardware on Native Mode install, and we were seeing ISCSI sustained rate equal to or greater than 650Mb/s, and we are seeing the Fiber Channel act as it should with sustained rates in the 3.2 – 3.4 Gb/s range.
We are now looking at SQL Server on VMWare’s ESX server, and while it is much better, it is still not close to native mode. There is nothing about Virtualization that makes up for the loss of server performance. This is a case of over-exention. Certain applications and tasks are natural fits for virtualization, ones that run mostly with processor and memory resources. It is also good for servers where the resources can be dynamic. SQL Server is not a candidate under either facet. The disk subsystem is the most important element of overall server performance, and if the throughput is compromised, no amount of RAM or CPU will overcome that bottleneck. In the case above, the server was a Quad Itanium with 16GB of RAM. And when was the last time you took memory away from SQL server and not had to stop and restart the service? And now if the virtualization reduces the memory, is it also smart enough to restart the SQL service? The answer is no. SQL can handle the memory for itself, it does not like it when something else does.
It is time stop jumping on the bandwagon and realize just how servers really operate. Then you will see that virtualization is a good tool withing the bounds of its applicability, beyond that it is like trying to hammer in a nail with a philips head screwdriver."
Important and Key Learning Opportunity
I don’t know if you’ve seen the information yet, but there is a killer in-person learning event happening with Kimberly Tripp and Paul Randal. These guys are amazing and the content is incredible –
– Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Overview for Database Professionals
– Bring Your Own Laptop
– 2 1/2-days Hands-on Workshop.
Kimberly and Paul have incredible knowledge and teaching skills – you’ve just got to see the outline of content that will be presented – there are specials too and, if you let us know that you’re headed to the event (just let us know you’re email address) we’ll confirm it and give you a 50% off discount code for the virtual conference of your choice as well. It’s a great combo for getting your SQL Server skills really moving.
More information here – be sure to check out the course outline.
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