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jhermiz
3564 Posts |
 Posted - 2005-04-05 : 22:12:58
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We just purchased a monster machine dual 3.0 ghz xeon processors and a terabyte of data box for our new sql server. I am not really up on administration and setting it up but basically I need some advice and questions answered. For one we have installed the sql server app on its own raid and the data for sql on its own as well. I hope my terminology is correct. We have installed win2k3 with service pack 1 on this new machine as well. I read some article which I cannot find right now about putting a switch on sql to expand to > 3 gb of memory or storage?? Is that worth doing, or does that even make any sense.Also are there any best practices or recommendations on setting up the server on this new box before we go too far. What about seperate instance of sql server running, when does one decide on doing this. I know one of the benefits is not having to take down all the db's on a reboot, but are there any other benefits, in addition, does a non-software based company need it??Any other advice from the pros is welcome.God bless,Jon
Keeping the web experience alive -- [url]http://www.web-impulse.com[/url]Imperfection living for perfection -- [url]http://jhermiz.blogspot.com/[/url] |
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derrickleggett
Pointy Haired Yak DBA
4184 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 00:10:50
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| Hey Jon. It's always fun to get new toys. :) How much RAM do you have in the beast? If you have more than 4GB of RAM, then you need to include the /PAE switch in the startup boot.ini file. Your sysadmins will know how to do this. You also have to set SQL Server to recognize AWE memory. Here are a couple good articles to help you guys out on the memory:http://www.sql-server-performance.com/awe_memory.asphttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;274750&sd=techI wouldn't set the SQL Server app and the OS up on different RAID arrays necessarily. I would make sure I have seperate arrays and spindles for the following: data files, log files, tempdb data file. Use RAID 10 anywhere you can afford it. If you need to use RAID 5, use it on the data files.Now for the instances question.Benefits:--If you have a lot of third-party software, or you want to "isolate" some databases from others, then use them.--You can use instances to harden security by using seperate accounts to manage instances. It also is harder to break security across multiple instances.--You can limit the resources that certain instances consume.Drawbacks:--Obviously, there is a little more management involved.--You have to manage the memory correctly, or you could find yourself starving instances out. --If you have to communicate a lot between instances, it will be a lot slower than if they were on the same server. It could also potentially open up some security holes depending on how you set linked servers, etc up.MeanOldDBAderrickleggett@hotmail.comWhen life gives you a lemon, fire the DBA. |
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jhermiz
3564 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:30:50
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Thanks for the great info, we have 6 gigs of memory and are using RAID 10.I think we may not need seperate instances for now, just a question had. We already have the "/PAE" switch and we are going to add this /3gb switch.The OS is installed on a raid 1 mirror, sql is installed to a seperate raid 1 mirror, and the datafiles are stored are on a raid 10 drive. What do you think? Anyone else with comments would be real helpful.Thanks,jon
Keeping the web experience alive -- [url]http://www.web-impulse.com[/url]Imperfection living for perfection -- [url]http://jhermiz.blogspot.com/[/url] |
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mr_mist
Grunnio
1870 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:42:02
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| Are all the data (logs and data files) on the same physical drive? That may limit your performance out of large disk arrays. You may be better off splitting logs and data across different physical disks if you can.-------Moo. :) |
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jhermiz
3564 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:45:04
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Where do the log files go during setup? Cause when we initially setup sql it only asked about a location for the actual sql program files and the data files.
Keeping the web experience alive -- [url]http://www.web-impulse.com[/url]Imperfection living for perfection -- [url]http://jhermiz.blogspot.com/[/url] |
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derrickleggett
Pointy Haired Yak DBA
4184 Posts |
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mr_mist
Grunnio
1870 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:56:07
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| Well during setup it stores all your data and logs for the system databases in the same place, but later on you can choose where to put your own database files and logs so at that point you can choose to put your logs on different drives.-------Moo. :) |
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jhermiz
3564 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:56:38
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argh is it worth the headache :)
Keeping the web experience alive -- [url]http://www.web-impulse.com[/url]Imperfection living for perfection -- [url]http://jhermiz.blogspot.com/[/url] |
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derrickleggett
Pointy Haired Yak DBA
4184 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:56:58
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| yesMeanOldDBAderrickleggett@hotmail.comWhen life gives you a lemon, fire the DBA. |
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jhermiz
3564 Posts |
Posted - 2005-04-06 : 08:57:49
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argh i was scared that was coming...will ask our admins here.thanks again
Keeping the web experience alive -- [url]http://www.web-impulse.com[/url]Imperfection living for perfection -- [url]http://jhermiz.blogspot.com/[/url] |
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seperate instance and raid.