The SQL Server plan cache stores details on statements that are executed over time. Each time a statement executes, SQL Server will look inside the plan cache first to see if a plan already exists. If a plan exists, SQL Server will use that plan instead of spending time compiling a new plan. This ensures the engine operates efficiently.
Improve SQL Server Performance by Looking at Plan Cache (Part 1)
SQL Server Consolidation, Part 3
I wrote a couple of posts previously on SQL Server consolidation. The first post tried to give insight on some of the problems and associated motivating factors that most companies have…
SQL Server Consolidation, Part 2
Consider for a moment that you have a deck attached to your house. It is one story above ground level and is growing weaker with each passing year. The former…
SQL Server Consolidation, Part 1
I am seeing more than a handful of articles these days regarding SQL Server virtualization and/or consolidation. Lots of companies are coming forward to provide you tools that will take…
Performance Counters for Database Mirroring
We have customers using database mirroring, so I wanted to take some time to write a quick post regarding database mirroring and performance monitoring. Microsoft has published an article titled…
Performance Tuning and Time Invested
I never cared for the phrase “wasted time” when it comes to something like performance tuning. Sure, we all feel that way, especially when we spend hours on something only…
Have You Made These 5 Database Design Mistakes?
Look, everyone makes mistakes. It’s true. But not all of us have the chance to make mistakes that end up costing millions of dollars in hardware and production support costs.…
SQL Server CXPacket Wait Type
When are CXPACKET waits a problem? Note: This article, by Thomas LaRock, was posted 8/19/2013 and supercedes the previous version. This update has been made in response to comments made on the original article…
SQL Server fn_dblog() Function Details and Example
The fn_dblog() function (formerly known as the DBCC command) is one of several undocumented functions for SQL Server. It allows you to view the transaction log records in the active…
SQL Server ASYNC Network IO Wait Type
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN RECENTLY UPDATED AND CONTAINS NEW, TECHNICAL INFORMATION Note: For SQL2000 this wait is called NETWORKIO. The ASYNC_NETWORK_IO wait indicates that one of two scenarios are happening.…