Home > Workload Solutions > SQL Server > White Papers > SQL Server 2019 Best Practices on PowerEdge Servers and PowerStore T Model Arrays > PowerEdge R750xs: Database Optimized Performance Workload Profile
By default, the Database Optimized Performance (DOP) profile is not used on the PowerEdge R750XS server. In this best practice, we selected the DOP profile in the BIOS to evaluate its impact on performance.
Table 14. Best practice category
Category | PowerEdge |
Product | PowerEdge R750xs server |
Type of best practice | Performance Optimization |
Day and value | Day 3, Fine Tuning |
Overview
A BIOS profile is an easy way to apply firmware values that optimize the server. The following list describes BIOS settings that are automatically changed by selecting the DOP Profile.
When VT is enabled, firmware settings are configured for enhanced support of hypervisors, meaning VT leads to greater integration with virtualization. The DOP profile disables VT, as many databases are not virtualized. As the SQL Server databases were virtualized in our best practice, the VT setting was changed back to enabled after being disabled by the DOP profile.
The DAPC profile is Dell’s proprietary implementation of dynamic processor management. Changes to the DOP profile alters the system profile from the default to Performance. Instead of the server balancing performance to drive a cost savings, the system is configured for maximum performance.
CPU Power Management controls use of processor performance states. By default, CPU Power Management uses DBPM which enables processor operating frequency and voltage to be dynamically adjusted. The DOP profile changes CPU Power Management to a static state of maximum performance.
Other system profile changes include the following:
Overall, DOP benefits from setting several firmware settings to maximum performance. The only exception made in our validation tests was changing the VT setting back to the default value of enabled. However, we recommend keeping the DOP profile change for VT to disabled for customers with physical (non-virtual) database deployments.
Recommendation
Our test finding from validating the DOP setting showed a slight improvement in performance for the database, therefore, it is considered as a Day 3, Fine Tuning recommendation and applied only if necessary. The below metrics showed a slight increase in:
Additional Resources
Setting up BIOS on 15th Generation (15G) Dell PowerEdge Servers