SQL Server: Scaling SQL Server 2012 and 2014: Part 2 from Pluralsight

Learn how to avoid configuration issues from the hardware to the database that can limit the scalability of a SQL Server 2012/2014 workload, along with features and design methodologies for scaling up and scaling out.

When considering how to improve the scalability of a SQL Server workload, many people jump to the conclusion that scaling up or scaling out are the only answers. This course, SQL Server: Scaling SQL Server 2012 and 2014: Part 2, builds on the earlier "Scaling SQL Server 2012 - Part 1" course and will show you a huge number of things you can do to improve performance and scalability. First, you'll learn about configuration issues in hardware, storage, Windows, and SQL Server, and you'll also see demonstrations of some of the issues and tools to help you find the issues in the first place. Finally, you'll get an explanation of some of the techniques and features you can use to scale up or scale out, once you've configured the system correctly. By the end of this course, you'll be able to improve the performance and scalability of a SQL Server workload.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Database Configuration Settings

Instance Configuration Settings

Storage Subsystem Issues

Hardware Issues

Scaling up SQL Server

Scaling Out SQL Server

New Scalability Features in SQL Server 2014

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops valuable configuration management skills for optimizing SQL Server workload scalability

Teaches effective techniques to overcome configuration bottlenecks in hardware, storage, Windows, and SQL Server

Explores hardware issues and offers solutions to improve scalability

Comprehensively covers scaling up and scaling out SQL Server, providing a range of options to enhance workload performance

Taught by Glenn Berry, an experienced SQL Server expert

May require prior knowledge of SQL Server configuration and administration

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SQL Server: Scaling SQL Server 2012 and 2014: Part 2 with these activities:

Review hardware and storage fundamentals

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Review basic hardware and storage concepts to ensure a solid foundation for understanding scalability issues.

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Review basic hardware concepts, such as CPUs, memory, and storage devices.
Review basic storage concepts, such as RAID levels and file systems.

Organize and review course materials

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Organizing and reviewing course materials will strengthen your grasp of the concepts and improve your retention.

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Collect and organize notes, slides, and assignments from the course.
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Review previous SQL Server configurations

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Revising prior SQL Server configurations will help you identify and fix any existing issues that could affect scalability.

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Review hardware configurations to ensure they meet recommended specifications.
Check storage subsystem configurations for optimal performance.
Examine Windows settings to ensure they are optimized for SQL Server.
Inspect SQL Server configuration parameters, such as memory allocation and query optimization.

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Participate in peer discussions on scaling strategies

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Peer discussions will facilitate knowledge sharing and allow you to gain diverse perspectives on scaling approaches.

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Join online forums or discussion groups dedicated to SQL Server scaling.
Engage in discussions, share your experiences, and seek advice from other professionals.
Collaborate with peers on case studies or projects related to scaling SQL Server workloads.

Complete practice drills on scaling issues

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Practice drills will reinforce your understanding of the course material and help you troubleshoot scaling issues effectively.

Browse courses on Performance Optimization

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Identify practice drills related to scaling SQL Server.
Work through the drills to diagnose and resolve common scaling issues.
Analyze the results of your drills to identify areas for improvement in your understanding.

Develop a presentation on scalability best practices

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Creating a presentation will help you synthesize your knowledge and reinforce your understanding of scalability best practices.

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Research scalability best practices and identify key concepts.
Develop a presentation outline and gather supporting materials.
Create slides that effectively convey the best practices.
Practice your presentation and seek feedback from peers or mentors.

Contribute to open-source projects related to SQL Server scalability

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Contributing to open-source projects will provide hands-on experience in implementing and optimizing scalability solutions.

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Identify open-source projects that are relevant to SQL Server scalability.
Examine the project code and documentation to understand the project goals and architecture.
Contribute code, documentation, or bug fixes to the project.
Engage with the project community to discuss scalability challenges and solutions.

Develop a scalability plan for a hypothetical SQL Server workload

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Creating a scalability plan will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting.

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Define the hypothetical SQL Server workload and its scalability requirements.
Research and evaluate different scaling strategies and technologies.
Develop a detailed plan outlining the scalability architecture, implementation, and monitoring.
Document the plan and present it for review and feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete SQL Server: Scaling SQL Server 2012 and 2014: Part 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Analyst

This course covers many topics that are critical for Systems Analysts to understand, such as storage subsystem issues, hardware issues, and scaling up and out SQL Server. By taking this course, Systems Analysts can develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators handle administration of storage systems, which requires many of the skills covered in this course. This course explores how to avoid configuration issues from the hardware to the database that can limit the scalability of a workload and design methodologies for scaling up and scaling out.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Data Engineer

Data Engineers may benefit from this course because it covers topics that can help them understand the technical requirements of SQL Server workloads and how to design and implement scalable data solutions. This can help them to ensure that data is managed and processed in a way that supports the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Database Designer

Database Designers would benefit from this course because it teaches ways to improve the performance and scalability of a SQL Server workload by avoiding configuration issues. The course will help them understand how to scale up or scale out a system once it has been properly configured.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Designer

Data Architect

Data Architects will benefit from this course because it teaches how to design and implement scalable data solutions. The course will cover topics such as database configuration, storage subsystem issues, and scaling up and out SQL Server.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers can benefit from this course because it provides knowledge on how to improve the performance and scalability of their company's SQL Server workloads. It will allow them to make better decisions on how to maintain and upgrade their systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects will benefit from taking this course because it teaches them how to avoid configuration issues and improve the performance of SQL Server workloads. This knowledge will help them design and implement scalable cloud solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Security Analyst

This course covers many topics that are critical for Security Analysts to understand, such as storage subsystem issues, hardware issues, and scaling up and out SQL Server. By taking this course, Security Analysts can develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Software Architect

Software Architects will benefit from this course because it covers topics that are relevant to designing and implementing scalable software solutions. The course covers topics such as database configuration, storage subsystem issues, and scaling up and out SQL Server.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Quality Assurance Analyst

This course covers many topics that are critical for Quality Assurance Analysts to understand, such as storage subsystem issues, hardware issues, and scaling up and out SQL Server. By taking this course, Quality Assurance Analysts can develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their roles.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists may benefit from this course because it covers topics that can help them understand the technical requirements of SQL Server workloads and how to use data to solve business problems. This can help them to develop and implement data-driven solutions that improve the business.

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Network Architect

Network Architects may benefit from this course because it covers topics that can help them understand storage subsystem issues, hardware issues, and design methodologies for scaling up and scaling out. This can help them to ensure that networks are designed and implemented in a way that supports scalable SQL Server workloads.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Architect

Project Manager

Project Managers may benefit from this course because it covers topics that can help them understand the technical requirements of SQL Server workloads and how to manage projects that involve SQL Server. This can help them to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts would analyze storage subsystem issues to be able to collect the data needed to make critical decisions that drive the business forward. This course will show you how to collect and manage this data efficiently.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts may benefit from this course because it covers topics that can help them understand the technical requirements of SQL Server workloads and how to communicate these requirements to technical teams. This can help them to ensure that business needs are met and that SQL Server workloads are implemented in a way that supports the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst