Virtualize Sql server

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Virtualize Sql server

sqlfriend

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Points: 52794
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March 1, 2016 at 11:18 pm

#399791

Most of our production sql servers are physical servers. Now because budget reason for hardware our network admin ask if we should upgrade servers and virtualize them. We use VMware here.
My question is how the performance will be for virtualized sqlserver vs physicals, is it stable, pro or cons, or should we still use physical? If virtualize, what should I ask network admin to do for resources as DBA ?
Our network admin installs OS for me.
Thanks

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BLOB EATER SSChampion Points: 14609 More actions · Answer 1

This is a massive topic - Having just gone through this myself virtualising all physical servers I found Denny Cherry's Lecture very important, I suggest you start there.

https://sqlbits.com/Sessions/Event10/Deciding_if_Virtualization_is_a_good_choice_for_your_servers

Grant Fritchey SSC Guru Points: 399278 More actions · Answer 2

+1 For Denny Cherry. My other preferred resource on Virtualization is David Klee. You can pick up a lot of his stuff here[/url]. While this is a major undertaking, it's a pretty well trodden path. Follow the advice of these two experts (and be very cautious about who else you listen to) and you should be fine.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
- Theodore Roosevelt

Author of:
SQL Server Execution Plans
SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

TheSQLGuru SSC Guru Points: 134017 More actions · Answer 3

Good advice here on the two main resources to investigate and/or hire. My personal preference is David Klee, but they are both extremely competent technically.

I will add that there are very few SQL Server instances in the world that cannot be virtualized WHEN DONE CORRECTLY. The flip side of that is that very few SQL Server instances can be virtualized WHEN DONE INCORRECTLY - and that is a VERY easy thing to do!!!

In my consulting business I have seen both sides of that coin: Multi-TB-sized systems and systems with thousands of transactions per second running just fine. Systems with a single 10GB database just floundering.

Best,
Kevin G. Boles
SQL Server Consultant
SQL MVP 2007-2012
TheSQLGuru on googles mail service

Summer90 SSC-Dedicated Points: 32891 More actions · Answer 4

We have virtualized almost everything here. With the exception of our large volume I/O ones that service our entire business and are CPU hungry. The small, low data change, lower type volume we have virtualized without any issues.

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52794 More actions · Answer 5

Thanks all.

I cannot access the page,

https://sqlbits.com/Sessions/Event10/Deciding_if_Virtualization_is_a_good_choice_for_your_servers

Could you provide the link again.

Thanks

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52794 More actions · Answer 6

I found this one.

http://logicalread.solarwinds.com/best-practices-sql-server-virtualized-dc01/#.Vtch3U3ruig

BLOB EATER SSChampion Points: 14609 More actions · Answer 7

sqlfriends (3/2/2016)
Thanks all.
I cannot access the page,
https://sqlbits.com/Sessions/Event10/Deciding_if_Virtualization_is_a_good_choice_for_your_servers
Could you provide the link again.
Thanks

works for me, please re-try:

http://sqlbits.com/Sessions/Event10/Deciding_if_Virtualization_is_a_good_choice_for_your_servers

sqlfriend SSC Guru Points: 52794 More actions · Answer 8

sqlfriend

SSC Guru

Points: 52794

March 3, 2016 at 9:36 am

#1862816

Thank you , it works for me.