For 24/7 systems, I highly recommend running a defrag at least daily. And I've had some databases that really needed it done more frequently.

If you have a solid procedure, running an automated defrag process is nothing to be afraid of. But you have to approach it more like an application, and less like a script.

- Looking forward to reviewing Michelle Ufford's defrag script. At first glance, it looks more complete than the one I've written.