Maximize SQL Server database performance

Extending a SQL Server environment across multiple systems can be said to be a difficult and complex project, involving partitioned databases, federation, and so on. So, when it comes to SQL Server scalability, most organizations prefer to take the approach of extending independent systems before trying to solve them. Here are four techniques to make the expansion process easier and more effective.

1. Maximize SQL Server Performance

The performance of each server can be summed up to four basic components:

Memory

Disk storage

Network adapters

Processor

The first step is to fully match the four components on the existing server.

Starting with memory, it can have the greatest impact, usually the easiest part of the server to expand. There is only one limitation: servers running on Windows 32-bit versions have no reason to install more than 4GB of RAM because the operating system cannot use more than 4GB of memory. Running a 64-bit version of Windows and SQL Server on a 64-bit computer requires as much memory as possible for SQL Server to get the best performance.

In fact, if you have an instance of SQL Server running on a Windows 32-bit version, migrating it to a 64-bit computer is your first step, because it allows your system to access more memory space and is one way to maximize your performance gains. Don't skimp on investing in memory; purchase memory according to the recommendations of the server manufacturer, although it is often more expensive, with error-correcting capabilities, and high speed memory modules. But it's worth paying.

Next to look at the storage. This is a big topic, and more detailed tips will be presented later. I just want to say that the higher storage performance is always a good thing.

Network connectivity is the third area. The performance of many SQL Server computers is constrained at the network adapter level. If affordable, multiple network adapters are available to provide multiple network paths. The Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) adapter should be the minimum configuration for the SQL Server computer and use it if the network supports GbE. It is particularly important that your computer use a separate network with at least one network adapter for each major use.

For example, if you use iSCSI as a storage communication protocol, data transfers should use a proprietary network interface Controller (NIC) and a proprietary network rather than a shared network with client traffic.

Finally, check the server's processor. It's behind the list for a reason: it's rare to upgrade the processor from the cost of benefits. This is because the processor must match the motherboard, and the motherboard is typically designed specifically for a specific model of CPU. To install a faster processor, you usually have to replace a new motherboard and a matching new memory, and everything else will be replaced with a new one. In other words, it's a brand-new server.

If the server can add more processors, then upgrade and more processors will always be faster. But here, your options may be limited: Most servers are fully matched at the time of purchase, leaving no additional processor space.