Editorials

Would You Trust/Allow Automated Tuning?

Announcing – Next DBASchool – In-Person Class
Instructor: Stephen Wynkoop
I’ll be teaching a 3-day class on the things that you really need to know about SQL Server. We’ll have hands-on exercises, lots of discussions and real-world lessons learned. Check out the site here and reserve your spot – we will not allow more than 15 students so we can keep the class to a great size for discussions, demos and such. I can’t wait to work with everyone – but please register ASAP if you’ll be attending.

[Class Information]
(check out the quotes on the site too from past attendees!)

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Only a developer would think about this option seriously. Most business owners don’t like the idea of having data online that even when it is jealously protected, it might fall into the wrong hands. However, when you explain, that he will learn how his customers think, the idea of interconnecting databases from desktop application to online storage, does not sound so crazy. However what are the options to create that connection?

Webcast: End to End Database Development
How to manage the database Application Lifecycle. This session will discuss team-focused database development challenges, and will present tried and true methodologies for dealing with database development issues. This session is a must-attend for any database developer working in a team environment. Presented by: Ted Malone

> Register Now
> Live date: 11/18/2009 at 12:00 Pacific

Virtual Workshop – Next Week – Register Now!
SQL Server Performance – Presented by Stephen Wynkoop
I’ll be doing a virtual workshop next week – several hours on SQL Server performance. Find out about indexes, TSQL tips, monitoring and more. Check out the site for a more detailed outline – you can even get a certificate if you pass the quiz at the end! Just be sure to register now to save your spot. I’ll be doing the presentation, answering questions in chat and I’ll do my best to make sure you get the information you need.

[Get the outline]
[Register for the workshop]

Would You Trust/Allow Automated Tuning?
I’ve wondered for quite some time now why automated tuning isn’t at least an *option* with SQL Server. You can run profiler, see what’s happening, get recommendations, even have the system script out the changes that will support best practices.

Why not be able to select types of optimization that you’d be ok with being automatic?

Index defragmentation – yep, make it automatic if fragmentation exceeds a specific amount (and make the test reliable).

Missing indexes – based on real utilization, yep, automate it, notify me and be done with it.

Unused indexes – based on real utilization, hmmm…. not so sure, but only because I get nervous removing something from the server in an automated way. Can’t really think of why this particular thing would be an issue (could cause performance issues if done wrong).

What things would you consider OK to automate? What would you absolutely NOT enable in an automatic tuning scenario?

Send a quick note here – let me know what you think.

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