DBAs almost never have the luxury of inheriting everything they need to run an efficient, optimized SQL Server environment when they get started at a new company. In fact, it’s often the opposite. You’re more than likely to walk into a department with sub-par security practices, shaky disaster recovery plans, poor documentation and sub-standard hardware or network configuration. While it would be impractical to formulate a strategy for every possible situation, a new DBA can put in place a handful of strategies to focus on issues that are within their control. A great place to start is by assessing a SQL Server environment. An initial database infrastructure status check is necessary for sustained, optimized database management. Here’s what you need to know: The total inventory of the databases on your network and the amount of data they contain Database history, including installation and creation dates Which SQL Server versions and service packs are deployed Server, instance, and operating system names Who your end users are Collecting this information essentially becomes the “battlefield map” on which you will locate and evaluate your trouble spots. Armed with your wider view of the battlefield, you can start to categorize and drill down into problem areas. The downfall of many SQL Server DBAs is being continually caught in “firefighting” mode, forced to focus attention on the latest problem that pops up, regardless of true severity. Without a framework for sorting database issues, you’ll be stuck in a state of perpetual near-panic in which you’re more likely to compound or misevaluate problems. When taking on any new database management assignment, the first task is to determine the overall severity of the SQL Server environment’s condition. Start with the above rapid battlefield analysis. What’s next? SQL Server optimization takes many more steps beyond assessment of the environment. Come back to visit the SQL Server DBA Pros blog on Toad World™ for posts on SQL Server management optimization tips, tricks and best practices. We’ll also be at PASS Summit 2014 , at booth #200, talking all about optimization. Visit us at our booth to sign up to receive the latest, real-time Dell Software best practices papers and to follow our blog .
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