Tips for SQL Server Performance and Resiliency Chris Shaw CShaw@FortifiedData.com @SQLShaw www.xtivia.com

Basis of Presentation This presentation is built from my observations while working with SQL Server. Included are the items that I see on a repeating basis that impact not only how SQL Server performs but the resiliency of SQL Server. 19 years as a DBA 3 years as a Virtual DBA Currently monitoring close to 200 SQL Server Monitoring database servers since 1999 Over 300 Health Checks performed recently

ASSUMPTIONS These tips are based on common occurrences I have witnessed, your mileage may very. If you have a question feel free to stop me to ask. However, I may have to move past it depending on time. If I do, we can touch base after the session. Email Me - It’s Ok - cshaw@xtivia.com I ask you, help me make this presentation better, if you have suggestions please review the session. If you liked the session please review the session.

Tip 1 - BACKUPS Many backup strategies are designed backwards Start with the question, how much data can we lose Then ask what do we need backed up (CLR, Certificates, anything outside the database) Recovery Modes If full then backup the log or the transaction log will revolt and eat your storage Then determine how you are going to back up 3rd party tools (LiteSpeed, SQLServer Backup Pro, Veem) Secure your backup Encrypt it Store it off site Testing your backups (We shouldn’t need to talk about this…)

Tip 2 - SECURITY Everyone does not need to be an SA Don’t determine permissions based on trust. A DBA’s job has nothing to do with trust Everyone does not need DBO Access Permissions of least privilege (just enough to do what is required) Builtin\Administrators Did I mention you should secure your backups Enforce Windows Policy Management Week Passwords (Check Them Passwords) PWDCOMPARE() being removed after SQL Server 2014 Service Accounts Stay away from Domain Admins Linked Servers Connecting as SA

Tip 3 - MAINTENANCE Fragmented Indexes We could do a whole day on indexes alone, in short maintain them. Ola Hallengren (https://ola.hallengren.com/) SQL Fool (http://sqlfool.com/) XTIVIA has one as well where we track the history of index fragmentation Stale Statistics Consistency Checks Monitoring Database Mail, Alerts, Operators (alerts script)

Determine what is normal for your server. What should you baseline? Tip 4 – HAVE A BASELINE Baselines will provide you with a starting point to determine the performance of your server. Determine what is normal for your server. What should you baseline? When During Business Hours After Hours In Season At Rest What Performance Monitor Counters (It’s your Friend) Wait Stats Configurations (SQL Server, OS, Hardware) Job Executions

Tip 5 – MANAGE YOUR MEMORY Max Memory Setting Starving the OS Min Memory Setting VMWare/HyperV Lock Pages in Memory SQL Server Error Log Overuse/Underuse Cycle those Error Log Retention

Tip 6 – CHANGE MANAGEMENT No Change History History not searchable No Change Management Review of Changes Documented Changes Communication Changes not scripted/Made in the UI. No Roll Back Scripts

Tip 7 – DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS Don’t ignore the basics RPO – Recovery Point Objectives RTO – Recovery Time Objectives Not paying attention to the details, 2 power plugs one circuit Have a plan at all Testing your DR Over Engineering

Tip 8 - TempDB Fast Storage Located on different spindles then other database files Recovery Model – Simple Multiple Files All the same size One data file per CPU (no more than 8) Initial Database Size Manage File Growth Size Less frequent larger growths

Tip 9 – SHRINKING DATABASES Auto Shrink Jobs created to shrink Shrinking the database in the maintenance plan Shrink is not always a bad thing Shrinking without understanding the downstream impacts, is a bad thing Reindex after shrinking

Tip 10 - STORAGE Knowing how to tell if you have a performance issue Monitoring Storage Space Testing storage SQLIO HammerDB File Locations Isn't it all the same with SAN AutoGrow Perform Volume Maintenance

Q&A - THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? Chris Shaw CShaw@FortifiedData.com @SQLShaw The user groups meets every 3rd Wednesday from 6pm-8pm @ New Horizons Training Center on 2727 NW Loop 410 #103, San Antonio, TX 78230 More info? Jim.Steiner@Rackspace.com

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