I’m in the process of putting together a SQL Server hardware inventory/audit checklist for an upcoming book project. The purpose of this list is to provide a comprehensive listing of all the important information about the components of a physical server used to run SQL Server. Besides collecting hardware information, it is also designed to collect some configuration information that may be of importance for SQL Server performance and high availability.
SQLBits 7 to be Held in York September 30 – October 2, 2010
SQLBits—The 7 Wonders of SQL Conference—will be held in York, England, September 30 through October 2, 2010. SQLBits is the largest SQL Server conference held in Europe, and this three-day event will be held at York University, allowing up to 500 SQL Server professionals to attend.
Travel Tips from an Intrepid Traveling DBA
Recently, Buck Woody challenged myself, Paul Randal, and Brent Ozar to write a blog post on “How I Travel”. I have actually been thinking about blogging about this topic, but I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested in hearing my travel tips, but since Buck put me up to this, I can blame him if you find this post boring. As I write this, I have purposely not read Buck’s, Paul’s or Brent’s blog posts, as I didn’t want to have their blog posts influence mine. So once I have finished writing this post, I will read theirs and find how many similarities, and differences, we have among our traveling styles. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn from them.
What is the Ideal SQL Server Test Box?
I’m thinking about setting up a SQL Server test box in my home office for doing some extensive, real-world SQL Server performance testing. So far, here is what I am thinking about getting:
–Because I have limited space, the test box will need to be a tower. I will also be limited to one physical test box because of a lack of room (and budget).
–CPU: 2 sockets with a total of at least 8 cores. Haven’t decided on the specific chips yet.
–RAM: At least 36GB. I want to have the ability to set up multiple virtual servers in the test box.
–RAID Controller: Must support RAID 1, 5, & 10, and any mixture of these RAID levels.
–Drives: I am looking at getting 8-16, 15K SAS drives, with a minimum capacity of 450GB each. The number of drives will depend on what I can fit into my budget, and how many can fit in a tower.
I am still very much in the research stage, so my question to you is, if you could spec out your own SQL Server home test system, and you had $10,000 to spend, what you buy, and why?
PS: If you are a hardware vendor and would be interesting in letting me borrow such a test box from you for the next year or so, I would be very interested in talking with you. 🙂
Hawaii is Not Prometric Microsoft Certification Test Friendly
While I was at TechEd last week, I got a 50% off Microsoft Certification test voucher that expires on June 30, 2010. Since I had not yet taken any SQL Server 2008 certification tests, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to save a few dollars and take the test. I have been procrastinating about taking the test, and the deadline on the 50% voucher was a good incentive to get it over with.
TechEd Impressions: Day Four
TechEd is finally over, and I have been overwhelmed by attending 20 different sessions over the last four days. As with any conference I attend, my head is swimming with a lot of new information that I hope I can retain over the long term.
Brad M McGehee 