Performance tuning a relational database can be engaging yet frustrating, and this guide gives you the practical information you need to configure and tune a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database for better, faster, more scalable solutions. The authors start with the basics and build upon them to teach the mechanics of performance tuning and how they affect the whole system. This book also shows how to optimize for the underlying operating system and hardware. It’s the only book of its kind coauthored by engineers who have worked in the SQL Server performance group.

Expert instruction helps you understand these topics:

THE BASICS:

• Architectural fundamentals that affect tuning
• I/O tuning and RAID storage considerations
• How to tune hardware, database layout, and configuration parameters
• Feature enhancements for better ease-of-use, performance, manageability, and reliability.

SERVER TUNING:

• How to use the Microsoft Windows 2000 System Monitor and the SQL Server Profiler to shorten transaction response times.

SIZING AND CAPACITY PLANNING:

• How to model software and hardware usage to predict resource consumption and conduct preconfiguration planning, and how to perform what-if scenarios about workload growth to avoid slow response times.

CONFIGURING AND TUNING:

• How to tune online transaction processing (OLTP) systems, data warehouses, and replicated systems.
• How to set up your system for high-performance backup and recovery.

TUNING SQL STATEMENTS:

• How to get optimal performance by using Query Analyzer and Profiler to tune SQL statements and stored procedures.
• How to take advantage of indexes and hints.