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SQL Server: 4-Step Performance Troubleshooting Methodology--Introduction
Introduction: The Classic Protocol, Amended IntroductionMy customers are often surprised to learn about the existence of a documented methodology for troubleshooting SQL Server performance. Though the...
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Disk Partition Alignment (Sector Alignment) for SQL Server: Part 1: Slide Deck
<Note: 20081119: Deck updated w/ new graphics, perf metrics, & dynamic disk info> <Note: 20090225: Deck updated & moved to skydrive > <Note: See also Disk Partition Alignment...
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PerfMon Objects, Counters, Thresholds, & Utilities for SQL Server
I’m frequently asked questions about which PerfMon counters to use & what thresholds to rely on. I’ve been amalgamating this information for years in the form of an Excel workbook:...
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Drum Roll, Please...The Debut of The SQL DMV All-Stars Dream Team!
The introduction of Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) in SQL Server 2005 provides us with all manner of wonderful information, much of which was heretofore difficult or even impossible to get. Yet I...
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Disk Partition Alignment (Sector Alignment) for SQL Server: Part 2: Adding HP...
BackgroundIn a previous post I documented the importance of disk partition alignment as a foundation for optimal disk I/O performance. In the lab & in the field we’ve commonly found performance...
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Case Study: Part 2: CXPACKET Wait Stats & 'max degree of parallelism' Option:...
IntroductionThis is the second of a four-part series:Introduction to Query ParallelismParallelism Suppression: Analysis, Remediation, & Results (this post) Parallel Query Identification &...
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Disk Partition Alignment (Sector Alignment) for SQL Server: Part 4:...
The purpose of this post is to document Disk Partition Alignment Essentials. It is intended for engineers who are already familiar with disk partition alignment yet want a “cheat sheet”. As most of you...
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Perception, Reality, & Incrementally Tuning World-Class Applications
Performance & the 20% RuleI was reading the post from Ed Glas, Make Your Performance Work Count: The 20% Rule. He shared the words of computer science professor & billionaire entrepreneur...
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VSTS Web Test Step-by-Step Primer: 7-Minute Video by Microsoft A.C.E....
My decision to focus on the SQL Server vertical has paid off for me—metaphorically & literally.Now it's time to spread my wings a bit & learn about Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) web testing....
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Disk I/O: Microsoft SQL Server on SAN Best Practices from SQL CAT's Mike...
While at the PASSCommunity Summit in November 2008, I had the pleasure of attending a handful of excellent presentations. One of the best was delivered by Mike Ruthruff (& not just because he...
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Disk I/O Case Study: Classic Case of SAN Over-Subscription
SAN Over-SubscriptionThere are a variety of challenges related to I/O performance. One common problem is "SAN Over-Subscription", which is characterized by the the following symptoms:High disk latency...
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MSDN Blog Box Beefed Up and SProcs Tweaked For New! Improved! User Experience
A few weeks ago Cindy Gross brought this tweet to my attention from SQL Server MVP Jason Massie:statisticsio: I should pdf the essential posts from @aspiringgeek and sqlcat because everytime I really...
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Wait Stats Introductory References
Preamble For those of you who are already facile with SQL Server wait stats, there’s nothing new here. However, if you’re a n00b, this is a great place to start.History As I commented here on SQL MVP...
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Wait Stats by Joe Sack
Wait stats rock. As I shared recently with friends, when it comes to SQL Server performance, wait stats are the #1 arrow in my quiver, the first tool out of my toolbox, the Vera of guns (see the...
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Disk Partition Alignment (Sector Alignment): Make the Case: Save Hundreds of...
I recently collaborated with Microsoft PFE Daniel Janik to create a template to make the case for disk partition alignment. Perhaps your customers or stakeholders within your organization can benefit....
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SQL CAT New Whitepaper: Data Compression: Strategy, Capacity Planning and...
Data Compression: Strategy, Capacity Planning and Best PracticesHot off the presses, the SQL CAT team has just published a new whitepaper for which I had the opportunity to provide a technical review....
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xPerf: Once I Was Blind and Now I See
I’ve been aware of the buzz around xPerf for quite some time. I flagged emails from Microsoft Premier Field Engineers Clint Huffman (author of PAL) & Shane Creamer (author of Vital Signs) who in...
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Disk Partition Alignment: It Still Matters--DPA for Windows Server 2012, SQL...
IntroductionI continue to receive dozens of inquiries each year about this issue. The “fix” in contemporary versions of Windows Server combined with the absence of formal guidance since the white...
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SQL Server 2014 Columnstore Indexes: The Big Deck
The HistoryThough Columnstore indexes were introduced in SQL Server 2012; they're still largely unknown. In 2012, some adoption blockers remained; yet Columnstore was nonetheless a game changer for...
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Columnstore Case Study #1: MSIT SONAR Aggregations
PreambleThis is the first in a series of posts documenting big wins encountered using columnstore indexes in SQL Server 2012 & 2014. Many of these can be found in this deck along with details such...
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