Between updating your database, retrieving information from your database, and the several other tasks it performs…
Your SQL server has many opportunities to have an issue.
And, just like any other database system, it is likely that something will go wrong at some point – most commonly do to “bottlenecks.”
Bottlenecks are computing problems that slow the entire system down while being performed.
Why does your SQL server need a check-up?
Do you go to the doctor regularly for a check-up?
Or, maybe consider how you go to the dentist every few months for a cleaning…
Whether you are at the dentist or the doctor, getting a regular check-up is a preventative measure when it comes to your health. It helps you not only identify issues but it helps you avoid further issues by fixing anything that might come up.
Well, your SQL server needs a regular check-up, too.
A comprehensive SQL server health check – performance tuning – will allow you to identify and eliminate any bottlenecks or other issues causing problems or posing a threat to the system.
Health Check List:
So, when you whip out your charts and your stethoscope, here is a general check list you can follow for performance tuning your SQL server:
- Are all your systems alive?
If you are able to successfully connect to your SQL server, of course, it is alive. But, you can also go through and check the status of all your SQL server services to ensure they are alive. - Is your database backed up?
Backups are vital in the event of a crash or major system error. Once you ensure your systems are all alive, make sure they are backed up successfully as well.
This can be done manually or automatically. - Do you have free disk space?
If there is insufficient disk space, you will encounter a slow server and possibly multiple errors and application failures. Using a simple Windows command, you can check your free disk space. - Do you have free memory?
In addition to free disk space, you must also have free memory available on your server. If the memory is almost full, you will need to take the necessary steps to free it. - What is the size of your transaction log?
The transaction log is one of the most crucial aspects of every database…The transaction log is responsible for committing the data into the data file. Depending on your normal number of transactions, your transaction log might grow rather large, rather quickly and begin causing problems.
Summary
Your SQL server is no different than your body…
Well, in one way at least.
It requires regular check-ups to ensure nothing is too low, too full, or not working properly.
Not only will a regular check up help you avoid various major issues, later on, it will also help you keep your system running quickly and smoothly.
And, all it takes is a few simple steps – double checking a few things here and there.
Should something happen and you have a major system error, later on, the steps taken during a regular checkup could potentially save your system and your information.
