Usage of Database Tuning Advisor

  • I would like to run a workload file on the Database Tuning Advisor(DTA) for getting tuning recommendations.

    There are some batch jobs which are taking more time than usual to run. Thought of using the DTA for the same. I am not comfortable running on the production server.

    Could you kindly advise if you have run it on a test server to get the recommendations. I came across some links on books online.

    Also, while running the DTA, how can I make sure that I would only get the recommendations and the recommendations will NOT get implemeted during the DTA process. Would clicking 'Keep All Existing PDS' on Tuning options of DTA be sufficient for this.

    M&M

  • mohammed moinudheen (3/8/2010)


    I would like to run a workload file on the Database Tuning Advisor(DTA) for getting tuning recommendations.

    There are some batch jobs which are taking more time than usual to run. Thought of using the DTA for the same. I am not comfortable running on the production server.

    Could you kindly advise if you have run it on a test server to get the recommendations. I came across some links on books online.

    Also, while running the DTA, how can I make sure that I would only get the recommendations and the recommendations will NOT get implemeted during the DTA process. Would clicking 'Keep All Existing PDS' on Tuning options of DTA be sufficient for this.

    Use DTA with extreme caution. Not all indexes and statistics suggested are viable options. I would certainly start with running this in a test environment first. Also, I would recommend having a backup of the database before running DTA. This will permit you to more quickly recover back to before you ran the DTA.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • CirquedeSQLeil (3/8/2010)


    Use DTA with extreme caution. Not all indexes and statistics suggested are viable options. I would certainly start with running this in a test environment first. Also, I would recommend having a backup of the database before running DTA. This will permit you to more quickly recover back to before you ran the DTA.

    Jason,

    Does it mean, when we run the DTA, it would directly make the recommendations to the database rather than just reporting to us the recommendations. This is kind of risky right.

    M&M

  • The risk comes in the indexes that it may propose to remove. Any indexes or stats that are recommended are easy to spot and remove.

    As for immediately implementing the recommendations, If you select "Keep my existing PDS" it will keep them. It will not implement the new PDs until you select "Apply Recommendations." Thus you can view the recommendations and not implement anything.

    Here is a more in-depth article on the subject.

    http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/database-administration/fine-tuning-your-database-design-in-sql-2005/

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • Thanks for sharing the article link.

    I also came across another URL on BOL

    ms-help://MS.SQLCC.v9/MS.SQLSVR.v9.en/udb9/html/bb95ecaf-444a-4771-a625-e0a91c8f0709.htm

    which describes using DTA against a test server instead of directly on production.

    By any chance, have you tried this before.

    M&M

  • Yes, I have used DTA in the past. I only use it to see possible recommendations. I do not typically implement changes directly from DTA though. I check the recommendations and test them to see if the recommendation is valid or not. It's a long iterative process.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

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