Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting

A hands-on resource for SQL Server 2008 troubleshooting methods and tools

SQL Server administrators need to ensure that SQL Server remains running 24/7. Authored by leading SQL Server experts and MVPs, this book provides in-depth coverage of best practices based on a deep understanding of the internals of both SQL Server and the Windows operating system.

You'll get a thorough look at the SQL Server database architecture and internals as well as Windows OS internals so that you can approach troubleshooting with a solid grasp of the total processing environment. Armed with this comprehensive understanding, readers will then learn how to use a suite of tools for troubleshooting performance problems whether they originate on the database server or operating system side.

Topics Covered:

• SQL Server Architecture
• Understanding Memory
• SQL Server Waits and Extended Events
• Working with Storage
• CPU and Query Processing
• Locking and Latches
• Knowing Tempdb
• Defining Your Approach To Troubleshooting
• Viewing Server Performance with PerfMon and the PAL Tool
• Tracing SQL Server with SQL Trace and Profiler
• Consolidating Data Collection with SQLDiag and the PerfStats Script
• Introducing RML Utilities for Stress Testing and Trace File Analysis
• Bringing It All Together with SQL Nexus
• Using Management Studio Reports and the Performance Dashboard
• Using SQL Server Management Data Warehouse
• Shortcuts to Efficient Data Collection and Quick Analysis

About the Authors

CHRISTIAN BOLTON is the Technical Director for Coeo Ltd., a leading provider of SQL Server consulting and managed support services in the UK and Europe. Prior to this Christian worked for 5 years at Microsoft, leading the SQL Server Premier Field Engineering team in the UK. He is a Microsoft Certifi ed Architect, Master and MVP for SQL Server, and co-author of Professional SQL Server 2005 Performance Tuning. He works out of London and lives in the south of England. Christian authored chapters 1, 2, 7, 13 and the online chapter 16 in addition to lending his authoring expertise where needed on other chapters and functioned as the lead author for the entire project.

JUSTIN LANGFORD leads the Managed Support team for Coeo Ltd, delivering outsourced 24x7 operations for mission-critical SQL Server platforms. Before joining Coeo, Justin worked for Microsoft in the Premier Field Engineering team and has worked with some of Microsoft’s largest finance and government customers in Europe. Justin co-authored Wrox Professional SQL Server 2005 Performance Tuning and lives in London. Justin authored chapters 9, 11, 12, and 15.

BRENT OZAR is a SQL Server Expert for Quest Software. He has over a decade of broad IT experience, performing SQL Server database administration, systems administration, SAN administration, virtualization administration, and project management. In his current role, Brent trains DBAs on performance tuning, disaster recovery, and virtualization. He has spoken around the globe at events for PASS, SQLBits, SSWUG, and other organizations. Brent founded the Virtualization Virtual Chapter for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), and serves as the Editor-in-Chief at SQLServerPedia.com. Brent blogs at www.BrentOzar.com and discusses diverse topics at http://twitter.com/BrentO. He is the author of chapters 4 and 14.

JAMES ROWLAND-JONES works for EMC Consulting EMEA as an Advisory Consultant. His principle focus is the delivery of large, scalable, data warehousing, and business intelligence projects. Within this fi eld James specializes in data integration, database architecture, and performance tuning. He is very active in the technical community and is one of the organizers for SQLBits, Europe’s largest SQL Server community conference. James has received the Microsoft MVP award for 2009 and 2010. You can find him online at consultingblogs.emc.com/jamesrowlandjones, twitter (@jrowlandjones),and linkedin linkedin.com/in/jrowlandjones. James authored chapters 6 and 10.

JONATHAN KEHAYIAS is a SQL Server MVP, MCITP Database Administrator and Developer, who got started in SQL Server in 2004 as a database developer and report writer in the natural gas industry. After spending two and a half years working in T-SQL, in late 2006, he transitioned to the role of Database Administrator. He has experience in upgrading and consolidating SQL environments, and has experience in running SQL Server in Virtual Environments on VMWare ESX 3.5+. He is a member of the Tampa SQL Server User Group and a regular speaker about SQL Server at events. Jonathan authored chapter 3.

CINDY GROSS started her SQL Server life as a DBA with a hospital and health plan company in 1993, and moved to Microsoft in 2000 where she has worked ever since. Her roles at Microsoft have included PSS Product Support Engineer, SQL Content Lead, Yukon Readiness Lead, and most recently Dedicated Support Engineer (DSE), all for SQL Server. Cindy enjoys delivering training throughout the United States as well as in Europe and India, including presentations at SQL PASS. In 2008 she started the Boise SQL Server User Group, an affiliate of the SQLCommunity.org site (where she is a worldwide SQL Server Community Leader) to share SQL Server wisdom in the Idaho SQL Server community. Most recently she obtained the Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server Qualification, which was a hard-fought prize. Over the years Cindy has learned from many wonderful friends and colleagues and they all deserve a word of thanks for contributing to her success. Cindy authored chapter 8.

STEVEN WORT has been working with SQL Server since the early days of SQL Server way back in 1992-93. He is currently a developer in the Windows Division at Microsoft, where he works on performance and scalability issues on large database systems for the Windows Telemetry team. Steven has been at Microsoft since 2000. Prior to working in the Windows Division, Steven spent 2 years working in the SQL Server group, working on performance and scalability. Steven’s first 3 years at Microsoft were spent working in support as an escalation engineer on the SIE team. During this time, Steven was able to travel the world working with some of Microsoft’s customers on their performance and scalability issues. Before coming to Microsoft, Steven spent 20 years working in the United Kingdom as a freelance consultant, specializing in database application development. Steven authored chapter 5.