When you are looking to improve the performance of a SQL Server implementation you need to look at the issue in a holistic manner. From giving thought to how the deployment is planned out to how the application logic is addressing the data, a host of issues have to be factored in. You would also need to minutely go through the schema design and also visualize the scalability issues affecting your system. Even minuscule things like the data types you choose for a specific field can have an effect on the functioning of an entire system if the volume of transactions is very high. Let us look at some of the key aspects that we need to keep in mind.
- Optimizing the Hardware Implementation with an eye on Scalability
When you are looking to run an intensive database application, you need to first plan out your hardware with an eye on scalability. You could either considering scaling up wherein you would improve the power of processors and add more memory modules or explore the possibility of scaling out wherein you distribute the load across multiple computers. Depending on your business needs you can go for either one of the approaches. If you are experiencing I/O related issues then scaling out is suggested while scaling up is preferred if processor and memory shortcomings are bothering you. For enterprise class implementation, you can even consider hiring a specialist firm to analyze your database implementation and suggest you an ideal actionable plan.
- Use Best Practices in Schema Design
Often when a database is created, tables are designed on the fly and hardly anyone gives a thought in working out a data model. This leads to huge inefficiencies at a later date. Ideally you should understand the business requirements and layout an appropriate data model. Next you need to consider applying appropriate normalization rules and it is always wise to avoid data models which are acutely abstract.
- Use Indexes in a Rational Manner
Indexes play a significant role in how data is accessed and yet they do have side effects. It is important that Indexes are created in a thoughtful manner and should be preferably created only for tables that have a high query rate. Moreover you should consider using small keys for clustered indexes
- Even an Optimized SQL Server Implementation can Crash
In the computing world, errors and crashes are a common thing and even the most sophisticated application can crash. This also holds true for the highly reliable SQL Server application which is known to get compromised in cases of virus attacks and logical errors. In such scenarios even the data contained in the tables may become inaccessible and you would need a powerful sql recovery tool like DataNumen SQL Recovery to get back your valuable data. One of key advantages of this versatile tool is its capacity to address large database files and its ability to negotiate different media types including flash drives which may be used to backup database files. Moreover the utility has been noted to deliver the highest recovery rates as compared to any other application in its class.
Author Introduction:
Alan Chen is President & Chairman of DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including access recovery and sql recovery software products. For more information visit https://www.datanumen.com/