TheSQLGuru (3/15/2013)
In my experience the best way BY FAR to become an expert (certainly at such a complex system as SQL Server) is to be MENTORED by an expert. So I stand by my recommendation 100%. Your company would come out with an optimal environment and you would learn along the way. Win-win.
I enjoy mentoring under people with more experience, and I don't disagree with your recommendation. Trying to sell it to management is always another story. It would take too long here to get into details, but suffice it to say that convincing management to do anything from sending you on a day course, to actual training, to bringing in outside experts is a difficult proposition at best, so I make do with what I've got. Booksonline, friends in the industry, and whatever research I can do on the internet or at the bookstore.
TheSQLGuru (3/15/2013)
Oh, I did think of another thing, although it is reaching a bit: maybe try reseating the memory. I have experienced or heard about some very weird things happening with poorly-seated memory.
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I've noticed that memory keeps getting mentioned along side the NUMA nodes and cores. I haven't read up yet, but are these things connected? Could a memory issue or configuration cause problems with setting core preference? I really have to take a quick few minutes to google what the heck a NUMA node is.