SQL server setup 2

[disturbedone]

Although I've worked with Microsoft servers for quite some time I'm a little unsure when it comes to the best practices for SQL with regards to disk configuration etc.

Current setup (no idea who set it up):
W2K3R2, SQL2K5SP4, 3GB
C:\ for OS, no pagefile
D:\ for data, custom pagefile initial 3GB max 3GB
Hosts vCenter 5 database and a couple of small app DBs

W2K3R2, SQL2K5SP2, 4GB
C:\ for OS, custom pagefile initial 576MB max 1152MB
E:\ for data, no pagefile
Hosts finance software app & DB

Proposed consolidated setup:
Single server W2K8R2, SQL2K12
Host all databases (vCenter, finance, other apps etc)

Any advice on the best setup is appreciated.

 

[djj55]

Things to consider. These are NOT mandatory only points to look into.
-Have data and log files use different drives.
-Use different schemas for each group (besides the database).
-The more memory the better.

djj
The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23) - I need someone to lead me!

 

[SQLScholar]

To add to djj55.

- Its not just about the separation of disks, but the disks involved and how they are set up. I would have at least SATA drives on a RAID 10 configuration. Speed of disks is also important so good SATA drives - or if you dont need much space, and have a little cash SSD`s.
- SQL 2012 - do you know its not officially released at this moment in time. Its currently on Release Cadidate 1. The virtual launch event date is March 8th 2012 - but the release date is yet to be announced.

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[djj55]

Also if you backup a database on 2005 you can restore to 2012 however not the other way. (At least it is that way in 2008).

djj
The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23) - I need someone to lead me!

 

[disturbedone]

Thanks for the advice.

We're virtualized with VMware vCentre 5 using NetApp FAS3210/DS4243 storage that has 24x 2TB disks (not sure of type) in a RAID6 (I think) configuration. So it's not quite as easy to pick and choose disk speeds etc. But Given that setup I don't think it'll be an issue.

SQL2K12 was just a thought but it's not supported with the finance database so it'll be 2K8.

 

[djj55]

Installing SQL Server on a virtual has its own set of problems. I would suggest you Google for white papers on how to setup. We are running 2008R2 successfully on a virtual with the main problem being we had to set the max memory in the SQL server properties as it would conflict with the system causing a memory dump.

djj
The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23) - I need someone to lead me!