Grumpy Old DBA

Configuring x64 SQL Server

I often read a number of forum posts concerning performance / configuration issues with x64 SQL Server. I've also found some interesting views on how much memory you can allocate to SQL Server on a x64 install ( I don't have any experience of ia64 - sorry ).

Sort of cross purposes I've been trying to identify paging in x32 systems and I found this KB about x64. There's a note that this KB is currently being rewritten so you might want to keep track of it.

I've also got to add that it appears patching the o/s, which seems to be neglected so often, can help, anyway have a good read of this KB if you're using x64 and performance isn't quite as you might expect.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918483

Do you really need those services?

• o   When your SQL Server is under pressure stopping or disabling unnecessary services may free up resource.
• o   This is especially true of x32 systems where bottom memory allocation is critical.
• o   Just because x64 has a flat memory model there is still no reason to not pay attention to services, some of which may actually be weak spots in your defenses. 

• o   Important:  Do not just disable services and hope for the best, it could be you may be using some of them.
• o   I’m assuming this is for a dedicated SQL Server and is based upon Windows 2003 SP2.
• o   Disabled services can stop service pack installation, always set to manual if you are unsure 
• o   IIS requires a special mention, usually this isn’t installed but if you want to run SSRS then it has to be installed.
• o   I have seen this installed purely to enable smtp forwarding, use a custom proc rather than installing and running IIS.

• o   Telephony  -  this cannot be stopped whilst Remote Access Connection Manager and Remote Access Auto Connection are running.
• o   Windows Firewall – Probably not wanted on a Server ( ** )
• o   Server Service –  ( not listed ) you can stop this but you lose file shares part of the process to harden a SQL Server.
• o   Windows Installer – ideally this shouldn’t be running but be careful of disabling it. 
• o   Depending on your build and install you may have other services installed or running. I frequently see Full Text Service  and Analysis Services running although no use is being made of them, don’t just install everything.
• o   Same applies to Indexing Service.  

© grumpy old dba   march 2008

Bug in UK SSUG 2008

It was discovered earlier today that SSUG 2008 was unable to distinguish a Thursday when it fell before a bank holiday friday and as a consequence SSUG would be unable to function on March 20th.

It's not thought that other Thursdays that fall before a Friday bank holiday will cause similar problems, mainly as they only occur every six years or so, Christmas, and the date of Christmas remains static at 25th December, unlike Good Friday whose due date can only be calculated by getting up at night and observing the phase of the moon.

A spokesman said the the 20th of March would be moved to another more convenient date when SSUG 2008 would be functioning correctly.

Things that may not be right on your SQL server.

Ø  When performance is under the spotlight most often the finger is pointed at SQL Server, here’s a short list of things that may impact your server performance.

Disclaimer : This is my personal hit list and in no particular order.