| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name
 | Date | Lines | 
|---|
| 808.1 | Cluster software doesn't get in the way of dumps | DECWET::CAPPELLOF | My other brain is a polymer | Fri May 16 1997 09:28 | 3 | 
|  |     There is nothing in the cluster software that should affect the DB Dump
    operation.  Look for performance problems elsewhere.  What was the dump
    configuration before installing clusters?
 | 
| 808.2 | Not sure what dump config is ?? | 42080::HARRINGTONM |  | Wed May 21 1997 04:23 | 20 | 
|  |     Carl,
    
    The Cluster is a new machine. Both the Database device and the dump
    device are on the hsz50 Raid 5 set. I've heard that this is not an
    uncommon problem, "....as SQL is better optimised on Intel than Alpha
    ..." !!
    
    The Intel dump was of a 100MB database in a 150 MB  Device. The Alpha
    dump was a 100MB database in a 3.4 GB device .. Does the device size
    effect the time taken to do a dump ? I've got another Alpha to play
    with, so perhaps I will try to do a DB dump on that and compare the
    two - disks on other ALpha, again raid 5 on a 3 port Milex.
    
    Does this answer your Question ?
    
    Thanks
    
    Rgds
    
    Mark Harrington
 | 
| 808.3 | Rumor squash | MPOS01::16.135.176.202::Cerling | Call on the Calvary | Thu May 22 1997 03:52 | 9 | 
|  | >>    uncommon problem, "....as SQL is better optimised on Intel than Alpha
>>    ..." !!
	BAD RUMOR.  Digital has invested significant time and expertise in
	making sure SQL is fully optimized on Alpha.  I guess you must be
	listening to our competition on this on.  Compaq *loves* to imply
	this.
tgc
 | 
| 808.4 | A few suggestions | OTOU01::MAIN | NSIS Consultant,Canada,621-5078 | Mon May 26 1997 09:02 | 45 | 
|  |     .2 -
    
    As Tim indicated in .3, DIGITAL has indeed invested (and continues to
    invest) in SQL optimization on Alpha. Ask Compaq leaning Customers why
    there is zero work being done on Intel VLM in SQL Server 7.0. Answer:
    All current and planned x86 platforms will not and can not - no matter
    what speed, support the new VLM features that are coming in NT5.
    
    This is huge part of Microsoft's strategy to make NT a scaleable
    platform in the glasshouse environment.
    
    The only Intel platform that will support this is Merced (P7) and only
    then after NT and SQL Server get ported to this completely new IA-64
    architecture. Intel is only committing to deliver Merced some time
    before the year 2000, so you can see where the time for IA-64 SQL
    server release is a long ways off.
    
    But, back to your question about performance on Alpha:
    
    - ensure both environments are similar ie. SQL Server out of the box
    has very low parameters that need to be tuned up for larger boxes.
    Check Intel parameters vs Alpha.
    
    - install SQL Server 6.5 SP2 as I believe there were specific Alpha
    fixes in this SP. Can access at:
    http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/support/ps_sl.idc?purl=/sql/&pfx=
    sql&base=sqlsupport&kbd=sqlserver&sl=q_sqlsvr
    
    - Reference April 97 edition of Windows NT magazine for some good
    suggestions on improving SQL Server.
    
    - ensure NT 4.0 SP3 is installed as well .. I believe there were some
    network enhancements and numerous other fixes.. All in all, while not
    perfect the general consensus on Compuserve is that SP3 is a much more
    stable platform than SP2...
    
    - run perfmon while doing the database dump - see what resource is
    most heavily used ie. IO or CPU or ?
    
    - ensure using the latest NIC drivers if any client activity is
    involved.
    
    Regards,
    
    / Kerry
 | 
| 808.5 | Thanks - I'll check - Any More ? | 42080::HARRINGTONM |  | Tue May 27 1997 01:25 | 16 | 
|  |     Guys,
    
    thanks for your suggestions. I'm back on site tomoorrow, and will take
    a look at the SQL set up.
    
    I guessed the "rumours" were meant to "PUT US DOWN", but they came from
    the customer. I defended our honour ...!!
    
    
    Any further suggestions greatly appreciated.
    
    Many Thanks
    
    rgds
    
    Mark
 |