Articles tagged Hardware

03 February 2015
03 February 2015

Managing Test Data as a Database CI Component – Part 1

Constructing a test environment for your databases can be a difficult task at the best of times. Once you've actually acquired the hardware needed and architected the environment, you still have to arrange and securely transport the data. And with the rising demand for fast feedback and continuously integrated processes, having all of this automated and operating at speed is a challenge all of its own.… Read more
02 January 2014
02 January 2014

The SQL Server Sqliosim Utility

The sqliosim utility is provided with SQL Server to test the I/O stability and 'correctness' of a server. It doesn't measure performance but simulates the read, write, checkpoint, backup, sort, and read-ahead activities of a typical SQL Server instance under load. It is generally used before installing SQL Server in order to ensure that new hardware can handle your expected loads. Bob Sheldon explains.… Read more
30 January 2013
30 January 2013

Using Optimizer_WhatIF and StatsStream to Simulate a Production Environment

SQL Server's Query optimiser judges the best query plan from the data in the relevant tables and the server's hardware. How, then, can you investigate the query plans being generated for slow-running queries on a customer's production server when you can neither access the server, nor recreate the database from a backup?… Read more
23 February 2012
23 February 2012

Glenn Berry: DBA of the Day

Glenn Berry works as a Database Architect at Avalara in Bainbridge Island, Washington. He is a SQL Server MVP, and has a whole collection of Microsoft certifications, including MCITP, MCDBA, MCSE, MCSD, MCAD, and MCTS. As well as working as a DBA, he is an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Denver, where he has been teaching since 2000. He wrote chapters in the SQL Server MVP Deep Dives books as well as 'SQL Server Hardware' for Simple-Talk.… Read more
17 January 2012
17 January 2012

Relational Databases and Solid State Memory: An Opportunity Squandered?

The relational model was devised long before computer hardware was able to deliver an RDBMS that could deliver a fully normalized database with no performance deficit. Now, with reliable SSDs falling in price, we can reap the benefits, instead of getting distracted by NOSQL with its doubtful compromise of 'eventual consistency'.… Read more
29 June 2009
29 June 2009

Building an Exchange Server 2007 environment

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Of course, changing a 32,000 mailbox system, based in 40 Exchange Servers, to a centralised 25,000 mailbox solution is not a difficult task as long as you follow the Microsoft guidelines; It just takes patience, and time to understand Exchange's storage design principles. Jaap describes the design process and shares his experiences with the chosen server hardware.… Read more
01 June 2009
01 June 2009

Windows Server Virtualisation: Hyper-V, an Introduction

For SQL Server and Exchange Server, Windows Server Virtualization is going to be increasingly important as a way for the administrator to allocate hardware resources in the most efficient way, to offer more robust services, and for deploying services. Jaap Wesellius starts his new series on Hyper-V by explaining what Hyper-V is, how it relates to Windows Server 2008 and how it compares to ESX, Virtual Server and Virtual PC. .… Read more
05 May 2009
05 May 2009

A Beginner’s Guide to Virtualizing Exchange Server, Part 1

The advantage of virtualizing your servers is that it helps you make better use of your hardware resources, and reduces some of your licensing costs, However, there are disadvantages: With Exchange server, it isn't always obvious as to which server roles are suitable for virtualization, and it is rather hard to work out what system resources a virtual server is actually using. Brien Posey explains… Read more
02 March 2009
02 March 2009

How to Get Management Buy-In for Software purchases

There is a good chance that the process of purchasing software or hardware in your organization involves several people. DBAs will often initiate a request, but are not normally trained in the arts of influencing the management decision process to ensure that essentials get purchased. It is becoming essential to understand how to get Management support for software purchases. Dan offers nuggets of wisdom.… Read more
31 July 2008
31 July 2008

Ross Anderson: Geek of the Week

Professor Ross Anderson is one of the foremost experts in Computer Security in the world. He has published widely on the economics of security. cryptology, formal methods, hardware design, and the robustness of distributed systems in general. He is best known for his book 'Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems'. He has never been shy of controversy, and we were intrigued by the influence he wields at Cambridge University; so intrigued  were we that we sent the taciturn Richard Morris to find out more from him… Read more