David

SQL Server Large Memory Pages

May 062019

SQL Server Enterprise Edition can leverage large memory pages to reduce the amount of memory pointers required for larger SQL Server deployments. Reducing the number of pointers makes the database engine more efficient, especially for SQL Servers with greater than 32GB of RAM. A normal memory block is 4KB, and many thousands of pointers are required to manage the memory underneath a larger SQL Server. Large memory pages can change the block size to 2MB, greatly reducing the number of pointers required for memory management.

Leverage SQL Server trace flag 834 to enable this setting and restart the instance to validate.

Note: Large memory pages requires the use of lock pages in memory for the service account before large memory pages are enabled.

For maximum performance of SQL Server in a virtual machine, the use of large memory pages is highly recommended, as it reduces the number of translation lookaside buffer (TLB) misses, which will improve the performance of the SQL Server. Large memory pages are fully supported within all modern hypervisors.

Note: Do not use large memory pages if columnstore indexing is in use in any SQL Server database on this instance.

Note: Be careful if the VM is also under memory pressure, as if the operating system is squeezed too hard, SQL Server will not return memory to the OS and system instability can occur.

To enable large memory pages, add trace flag 834 to a startup parameter for the SQL Server service through the SQL Server Configuration Manager. Restart the instance once this trace flag is added.

To validate that large memory pages are enabled, execute the following query.

You can check the error log for entries related to large memory pages on instance startup.

If the results show large memory page allocations greater than zero, large memory pages are enabled.

Now, validate your system performance before and after! Let me know the results!

Discount Code for SQL Saturday Atlanta 2019 Precon

Cloud, Events, Performance, Professional Development, SQL Server, Storage, Technology, Virtualization No Responses »

Apr 302019

We have a discount code for last-minute attendees looking to go to our exciting preconference training session at this year’s SQL Saturday Atlanta on May 17th, 2019, called “Level Up Your Data Platform Cloud Infrastructure“! The discount code is PAPERJAM, and enter it on the EventBrite signup page. If you’re even remotely thinking of the cloud for any of your servers, this precon is for you!

Abstract: While your on-premises infrastructure is likely maintained by another team, in the cloud this responsibility falls on you. Whether your organization is just planning for the cloud, all-in, or leveraging a hybrid architecture, this course is designed to ramp you up on maximizing your investment in the cloud components that you utilize.

Infrastructure skills are essential when managing your environment in the cloud. Knowledge is power; key items such as firewalls and connectivity, storage presentation and performance, baselining, and even platform selection are all necessary areas of concern. Capacity management is also crucial, as the old ways of “throwing hardware” at a performance problem will translate into a larger bill each month.

Attend this session to learn how to efficiently manage cloud resources, set yourself apart from your peers, improve the performance of your mission-critical workloads, and potentially save your employer money!

Register for this exciting preconference training session today! If you’re even remotely interested in the cloud, this session is for you!

SQL Saturday Atlanta Precon May 17

Technology No Responses »

Apr 172019

I am very proud to announce that I have been selected to present an exciting preconference training session at this year’s SQL Saturday Atlanta on May 17th, 2019, called “Level Up Your Data Platform Cloud Infrastructure“. If you are in the cloud or even remotely considering it, I urge you to attend this session!

Designed to help people that are starting to consider cloud for their data platforms ramp up quickly on all of the items that they need to hit the ground running and make the best choices while selecting and using the platform.

Register for this exciting preconference training session today! If you’re even remotely interested in the cloud, this session is for you!

VMware vExpert for 2019

Technology No Responses »

Mar 082019

I’m honored and humbled to be awarded the VMware vExpert award for the seventh year in a row! Thank you VMware and those in the organization that value my contributions to the virtualization ecosystem.

The vExpert program is VMware’s global evangelism and advocacy program, and the vExpert award is for individuals, not companies, and last one year in duration.

Thanks VMware! I really appreciate it!

You can read the official announcement here.

The Top 4 Data Technology Trends Every DBA Should Know About in 2019

Technology No Responses »

Jan 072019

Join Sentry One, Kevin Kline, and me in an exciting (and laugh-filled) panel session this Wednesday, January 9th, at 2pm ET, where we will discuss all of the technology trends that matter to DBAs!

https://info.sentryone.com/webinar-data-technology-trends

The Information Technology world was stable for decades, but since the arrival of the 21st century, new paradigms have emerged and technologies are advancing and evolving at record speed.

How can you keep up? And which trends should you focus on?

Join Kevin Kline and a panel of distinguished experts as they provide an overview of the top four data technology trends that will advance your business, amplify your productivity, and expand your career opportunities:

DevOps
Cloud Computing
Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Containers/Docker/Kubernetes

Get details on the most useful resources for learning about and implementing each of these trends. And they’ll discuss a few technologic trends that aren’t yet fully baked or simply aren’t worth your time.

SQL Bits Precon 2019

Technology No Responses »

Jan 072019

I am extremely happy to announce that I’ll be presenting a preconference training session with Bob Pusateri at this year’s SQLBits conference in Manchester, England, from February 27th to March 2nd! The preconference session is entitled “Level Up Your Data Platform Cloud Infrastructure“.

Precon Session Abstract: While your on-premises infrastructure is likely maintained by another team, in the cloud this responsibility falls on you. Whether your organisation is just planning for the cloud, all-in, or leveraging a hybrid architecture, this course is designed to ramp you up on maximizing your investment in the cloud components that you utilize. Infrastructure skills are essential when managing your environment in the cloud. Knowledge is power; key items such as firewalls and connectivity, storage presentation and performance, baselining, and even platform selection are all necessary areas of concern. Capacity management is also crucial, as the old ways of “throwing hardware” at a performance problem will translate into a larger bill each month. Attend this session to learn how to efficiently manage cloud resources, set yourself apart from your peers, improve the performance of your mission-critical workloads,and potentially save your employer money!

Microsoft MVP and VMware vExpert David Klee and Microsoft Certified Master Bob Pusateri lead this full-day introduction to getting the most out of the infrastructure underneath your Data Platform environment in the cloud. The focus of the course is to help those new to cloud concepts become familiar with function and purpose of each layer of the architecture around their databases, and how this knowledge can benefit them as data professionals. Participants will gain exposure to all layers of cloud infrastructure, from storage all the way through to the Data Platform and databases, methods for baselining their current workloads and sizing the target server, migration strategies, and will learn how to review and engineer the entire stack with a strong emphasis on SQL Server performance.

We are thrilled to travel to the UK to present to this exciting audience! We hope to meet you at the conference, and ping us if you want to meet up! Register for this conference today!

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