Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Building a team
Workload characterization
Deployment considerations
Physical hardware
The four core resources, both virtual and physical
Communication
Before we get into the technical aspects of architecting SQL Server, let's talk about
what is likely the single most import aspect of virtualizing SQL Server. As you will see,
this is a chapter of “one words,” and the “one word” we have found most critical to
successfully running databases in a virtual environment is
communication
. For example,
when a virtualization administrator mentions vMotion, DRS, or VAAI, does the DBA
know what that means? What about the term “cluster”? Whose cluster are we talking
about? For DBAs, the term means one thing and for vSphere administrators it means
something different.
Tip
Effective communication starts with everyone using the same language, so cross-
train each other. Once everyone is speaking the same language, then when terms
are thrown around, everyone understands what is being discussed. Reduce the
ambiguity.
What does communication have to do with architecture? You can have the biggest
servers, fastest storage, best-tuned network, but if effective communication does not
exist between the teams responsible for running SQL Server, then expectations are
improperly set. At some point, when the system either breaks (hey, this is IT after all) or
performance does not meet “expectations,” the blame game will begin. In addition,
despite how good someone is at his or her job, nobody can know everything. You need
to be able to rely on your coworkers who have deep knowledge and years of experience
in their related fields.
If the necessary individuals are brought on board and made part of the process from the
beginning, they are more likely to buy into the success of the project. They buy into it
because they are part of the process. Because they are part of the process, they will
want to succeed. Or, if that psycho mumbo jumbo does not work, they will buy into the
project because their name is associated with it and self-preservation will kick in. They
will assist because they want to keep their job.
Note
