1. Tips for SQL Server Performance and Resiliency
Chris Shaw
@SQLShaw

2. 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

3. 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.
Me - It’s Ok -
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.

4. 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…)

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

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