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Microsoft offers one of the most popular databases in the world. The SQL Server used for our best practices tests is a version of the database that many customers are using. The SQL Server database has a vast array of features and capabilities. In our final validation tests the Engineering team tested changes to the database configuration to optimize performance.
Virtualization of databases has been gaining momentum over the years. There are many advantages to virtualizing databases, including consolidation, agility, and ease of management. We choose to virtualize the SQL Server database with VMware vSphere version 7.0.3. Virtualization adds another layer of configuration to the database. As virtualization impacts every part of the database infrastructure, our approach was to integrate VMware best practices to each physical layer, rather than having a dedicated section for virtualization. For example, storage best practices include recommendations for VMware ESXi Round Robin. This should simplify the program, as customers can review best practices as both physical and virtualization recommendations are presented for each part of the infrastructure.
The Linux operating system has been widely accepted for running SQL Server databases. We used Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 8.5 for the tests, as this Linux flavor provides the stability, reliability, and security required for databases. The same best practice approach was taken with Red Hat Linux, as used for VMware. Linux best practices are integrated into each physical layer of recommendations. It is easy for customers to review Linux recommendations by reading CPU best practices or another physical layer.
The following table summarizes the software architecture used in validating the best practices:
SQL Server | 2019 CU 16-15.0.4223.1 |
Operating system | Red Hat Enterprise Edition 8.5 |
VMware vSphere | VMware 7.0.3 with vCenter 7.0.3 |
There are many possible combinations for the software architecture. The goal for testing SQL Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.5, and VMware vSphere 7.0.3 was to have a design that applies to what database customers use today. In the future, the goal of the best practices programs will be to address new versions of the database and advances in both the operating system and virtualization.