SQL Know How

Indexing for Performance in SQL Server 2000/2005/2008

Kimberly L. Tripp and Paul S. Randal

There are many areas of performance tuning in SQL Server: database design, application design, hardware/software configuration, and many more. But none are as important as indexing. Creating the "right indexes" is the most important thing you can do for performance and scalability. Is proper indexing something your application is missing? Do you realize the impact of your clustering key; forcing your base structure of your tables to be either ordered or unordered. If ordered is chosen, by what type of column(s) should the data be ordered? Is the decision solely based on query performance or are there other factors?

Whether your system is 24x7 or a small system just trying to setup for future growth and improved performance this course is for you! We will cover the often-overlooked impacts of poorly chosen clustered indexes, where/why clustered indexes help the most and how the type of table and the type/frequency of your queries affect your decisions. Additionally, once the internals, statistics and base table structures have been defined, we will talk about indexing strategies for search arguments (including SQL Server 2008 Filtered Indexes), joins, aggregations and appropriate uses for indexed views. Finally, we'll discuss index maintenance as well as how to evaluate your indexing strategy over time to make sure it remains appropriate as your data and workload changes.

If you want better performance and excellent insight into the wide range of indexing strategies - as well as how things work internally, this is the place to be!

Course Modules

  1. Index Internals
  2. Statistics
  3. Indexing Strategies, Part I: SARGs and Joins
  4. Indexing Strategies, Part II: Aggregations and Indexed Views
  5. Index Maintenance
  6. Is Your Indexing Strategy Working?

Why should I attend?

Even with the best will in the world if you do not get your indexing strategy right on your database then queries are going to take far too long to return and in a fast paced world this is simply unacceptable. Placing indexes on the first column you think of is just as bad as no indexes at all in a lot of cases. If you want to know what indexes to put where and also why you are putting them there then come to this seminar and prepare to take notes because Kimberley and Paul will show you exactly how it's done.

Course Length/Type

Two day instructor led seminar.

Location

8th - 9th September 2008 Edinburgh.

Bonner Room
St. Leonards's Hall
18 Holyrood Park Road
Edinburgh
EH16 5AY

St Leonards Hall in the Pollock Halls complex will be the venue. Map for Pollock Halls.

Timetable

09:00Arrive
09:00 - 09:15Coffee and Danish pastry selection
09:15 - 11:00Seminar
11:00 - 11:15Tea and Coffee with biscuits
11:15 - 13:00Seminar
13:00 - 13:30Lunch
13:30 - 15:00Seminar
15:00 - 15:15Tea and Coffee with fruit tart
15:15 - 16:45Seminar
16:45Close

Kimberly L. Tripp

Kimberly L. Tripp

Kimberly L. Tripp is a SQL Server MVP and a Microsoft Regional Director and has worked with computers since 1985. Her career with database technologies began with IBM in 1988 and with Microsoft SQL Server in 1990. Kimberly has presented lectures and seminars at Microsoft Tech*Ed and other top-flight SQL Server-related events since 1996 and is consistently top-rated both on quality of technical content and presentation style. Kimberly regularly consults with customers to help them tackle their availability and performance issues as well as works with Microsoft to provide new and interesting technical resources.

Paul S. Randal

Paul S. Randal

Paul S. Randal is the Managing Director of SQLskills.com which he runs with his wife Kimberly L. Tripp. He is a SQL Server MVP and writer for TechNet Magazine. He worked on the SQL Server Storage Engine team at Microsoft from 1999 to 2007. Paul wrote DBCC CHECKDB/repair for SQL Server 2005 and was responsible for the Core Storage Engine during SQL Server 2008 development. Paul is an expert on disaster recovery, high-availability, and database maintenance and is a regular, top-rated presenter at conferences around the world. He blogs at SQLskills.com/blogs/paul.

Events

Training Courses

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) Deep Dive - 4 Day Training Course