MS SQL Server Configuration
Our configuration services fine-tune your SQL Server environment, ensuring it’s optimized for your business applications and workflows. From security enhancements to performance tuning, we cover all aspects to deliver a fully optimized database system.
Initial Configuration Manager Setup
Network Configuration
- Enable Network Protocols: Configure and enable necessary network protocols, such as TCP/IP, to ensure proper communication between SQL Server and client applications.
- Set SQL Server Browser Service: Configure the SQL Server Browser service for instances using dynamic ports or named instances to help clients connect.
Database File Locations
- Optimize File Storage: Assign database file and log file locations to separate drives tailored for speed and redundancy, improving I/O performance and data safety.
SQL Server Security Configuration
Authentication and Authorization
- Secure Authentication Modes: Validate the selection of authentication mode, preferring Windows Authentication for its security advantages but enabling mixed mode if necessary.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Implement role-based access control, ensuring users and applications have only the permissions essential for their functions.
SQL Server Firewall Settings
- Configure Firewall Rules: Establish firewall rules that specifically allow SQL Server and SQL Server Browser services through, minimizing exposure to unauthorized access.
Performance Optimization
Memory Management
- Dedicate Memory: Configure SQL Server to use an optimal amount of system memory, leaving enough resources for the operating system and any other applications running on the server.
TempDB Configuration
- Optimize TempDB: Distribute TempDB across multiple files to reduce contention and enhance performance, particularly on systems with high CPU cores.
Maintenance Plans
Backup and Recovery Strategies
- Regular Backups: Set up a comprehensive backup strategy for databases, including full, differential, and transaction log backups, ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime in disaster recovery scenarios.
- Automated Maintenance Jobs: Implement maintenance plans for index rebuilds and statistics updates to maintain query performance over time.
Monitoring and Alerts
System Health Monitoring
- Configure Alerts: Set up SQL Server Agent alerts for critical events, such as database backup failures, low disk space, or performance bottlenecks.
- Performance Baseline: Establish performance baselines using SQL Server’s built-in monitoring tools or third-party solutions to track and compare system performance over time.
Advanced Configuration Options
High Availability and Disaster Recovery
- Always On Availability Groups: Configure Always On availability groups for high availability of critical databases, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss.
- Log Shipping or Mirroring: Set up log shipping or database mirroring as cost-effective solutions for increasing data protection and availability.
Scalability Solutions
- Resource Governor: Utilize the Resource Governor to manage SQL Server workload and system resource consumption, ensuring critical applications always have necessary resources.