Wade Graunke

I have perfecteda processof upgradingproductionSQL Serverboxes. My process hasbeen perfected over many yearson multiple serverswith multiple clients. Basedon my extensive knowledge of Microsoft documentation,mydeep understanding of(sometimes competing)recommendationsfromtop consultants in the field, and a lot of testing from my end, I have made the process as painless, transparent, andstreamlined aspossible for my clients.

Included in my process are the nuanced steps for installing and configuring the Windows OS as well.

I use a mix of SQL, PowerShell, andwell-knownindustry-tested tools(SQL scripts, stored procedures, and Job Agent jobs)that have a long history ofsupportingproduction environmentsfor big companies.Scripts, artifacts, documentation, code, etc., are all left with the client in an organizedmanner.Almostallofmy best practices have references to Microsoft documentation or respected industry-leading consultants.And I include a number of Deep Dives formanyof my recommended best practicesfor the curious.

I providebenchmarks before and afterat a few different levels (OS, storage subsystems, SQL Server with no data, SQL Server with data)for two reasons: 1)soclientscan see how much fasterthings areand 2) toconfirmthat all the moving parts are workingas expectedbefore we move forward with each stepin the process.

A few days afterweofficiallyGO-Livewith a server(andmy first-time clientsfinally take thatsigh of reliefunderstanding all is well and theirapplications, websites, and reports are executingfaster),we schedule the handoff(training)sessionwhich includes...

• How to installfuturepatches toSQL Serverand what an expected patching schedule could look like
• How to troubleshoot common health and performance issues
• How to troubleshoot slow queries
• How to find a list of your worst performing queries
• How todeterminewhat is slowing down the server “right now”
• How to get information about the health of your indexes

Iam prepared toprovide insight intoeverythingfromlicensing questions and recommended software vendorstothe specific allocationunitsizes that are best for SQL Serverwhen provisioningour storage subsystems and RAID arrays when appropriate.

I amvery proudoftheresultsin the field that my process has produced. My clients are happy, too.