How to improve SQL server performance?

[Pat Hartman]

It is only the default printer that matters. Usually the problem arises when people take laptops home from the office and so the office printers are not available and they end up with no default printer.

 

[saxena539]

Improving SQL Server performance involves a combination of optimizing the database design, query performance, server configuration, and hardware resources. Here are some strategies to enhance SQL Server performance:

1. Indexing: Ensure that appropriate indexes are created on columns used in the WHERE, JOIN, and ORDER BY clauses of frequently executed queries. Indexes can significantly speed up query performance.
2. Query Optimization: Write efficient SQL queries by avoiding SELECT * and unnecessary joins. Use appropriate filters to reduce the result set size and eliminate redundant calculations.
3. Normalization: Design the database schema with normalization principles to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity.
4. Denormalization: While normalization is beneficial, in some cases, denormalizing certain tables can improve performance for complex queries and reduce the need for joins.
5. Server Configuration: Configure SQL Server settings based on the hardware and workload requirements. Adjust memory allocation, processor affinity, and parallelism settings for optimal performance.
6. Update Statistics: Regularly update the statistics for the database tables to ensure the query optimizer makes accurate decisions about the query plan.
7. Partitioning: If your database contains large tables, consider partitioning to improve query performance and maintenance operations.
8. Stored Procedures: Use stored procedures instead of ad-hoc queries as they are precompiled and can offer better execution plans.
9. TempDB Optimization: TempDB is used for storing temporary objects and intermediate query results. Separate TempDB onto its disk drive for better performance.
10. Use Memory-Optimized Tables: SQL Server has memory-optimized tables for certain scenarios where performance improvement is crucial.
11. Upgrade SQL Server Version: If possible, upgrade to the latest version of SQL Server as it may include performance enhancements and bug fixes.
12. Optimize Disk I/O: Ensure that the database and log files are stored on separate disks and use fast storage solutions like SSDs.
13. Monitor and Analyze Performance: Regularly monitor and analyze SQL Server performance using built-in tools like SQL Server Profiler and Performance Monitor. Identify slow queries, resource bottlenecks, and other performance issues.
14. Backup and Maintenance: Regularly perform database backups and routine maintenance tasks, like rebuilding/reorganizing indexes and updating statistics.
15. Network Optimization: Optimize the network infrastructure to reduce latency between the application and the SQL Server.
16. Resource Allocation: Make sure other applications or services running on the same server do not consume excessive resources, impacting SQL Server performance.
17. Caching: Utilize caching mechanisms at the application level to reduce the frequency of database calls.

It's important to note that the specific performance improvement strategies will vary depending on your database schema, workload, and the nature of the queries being executed. Regularly monitor the performance of your SQL Server and make incremental improvements as needed to achieve the best results.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Regarding the migration of a copy of SQL server to a stand-alone system... Check whether CPU affinity is enabled on the one that is giving you poor performance. That setting can tie an app to a single core even if you have multiple cores.

How to Set CPU Affinity via Windows Task Manager

We show you how to set CPU affinity in Windows to claw back some performance, as well as how to change your CPU scheduling.

winbuzzer.com

 

[AHeyne]

@KitaYama : Does your performance problem still exist?

Did you check the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" on your client (which acts as a SQL Server now)?
Take a look into "SQL Server Network Configuration", choose your SQL Server Instance and activate TCP/IP.

Then restart your SQL Server Instance Service and try again.

 

[AHeyne]

@KitaYama : I expect your performance issue was solved before? Would be interested to know the reason.

 

[KitaYama]

@AHeyne The thread is more than a year old. At the time nothing could improve the performance.
We talked to IT guys and they refused to help on configuration on a client. Instead they added a sql server instance on our main server for our tests.
That solved the problem.

Just for the sake of test, I will install it again on my PC this weekend to see if anything's different.

Thanks.

 

[AHeyne]

Thanks for your feedback. I unfortunately overlooked the fact that the thread is so old.