Disk partition alignment is a powerful tool for improving SQL Server performance. Configuring optimal disk performance is often viewed as much art as science. A best practice that is essential yet often overlooked is disk partition alignment. Windows Server 2008 attempts to align new partitions out-of-the-box, yet disk partition alignment remains a relevant technology for partitions created on prior versions of Windows.

This talk covers performance for aligned and nonaligned storage and why nonaligned partitions can negatively impact I/O performance; it explains disk partition alignment for storage configured on Windows Server 2003, including analysis, diagnosis, and remediation; and it describes how Windows Server 2008 attempts to remedy challenges related to partition alignment for new partitions yet does not correct the configuration of preexisting partitions.

When: Thursday, May 21st 2009 at 6PM
 
Agenda:
6:00 – 6:30 Pizza / Social Time
6:30 – 6:45 Introduction/ IWUG Announcements / Speaker Intro
6:45 – 8:15 Event Presentation: Jimmy May
8:14 – 8:30 Q&A / Door Prizes
 
Directions:
The Duke Parkwood Four building is located at 500 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240. 
 
Parking:
Parking is available in the Duke parking lot. Parking is free.
 
Snacks and Refreshments:
Join us at 6:00PM for pizza and soda, courtesy of Microsoft! Get there on time to enjoy your fair share!
 
Speaker:
Jimmy May is a SQL Server Senior Performance Consultant for Microsoft Assessment. Consulting, & Engineering (A.C.E.) & is assigned to Team Lee.  He is the Visionary-in-Chief of SQL Server Pros & was formerly the Senior Database Architect for one of the world’s largest, SQL Server high-throughput OLTP DBs.  He is a founder & on the steering committees of both the Indiana Windows User Group (www.iwug.net) & Indianapolis Professional Association for SQL Server (www.indypass.org).  He is a recipient of the MS IT Gold Star award, is collaborating with the SQL Server Customer Advisory Team (SQL CAT) on a series of SQL best practices papers, & has been selected for the Microsoft Oracle Center of Excellence.  Jimmy lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his lovely new bride, Phyllis, & Fannie May the Wonder Dog.  Contact him at jimmymay@microsoft.com.  Visit his SQL Server performance & personal productivity blog at http://blogs.msdn.com/jimmymay.
 
“In the late 90’s I made a conscious decision to become a geek, & started working with SQL Server in 1999.  Since then it’s been quite a ride—going from the Help Desk to DBA to Architect to entrepreneur to Microsoft Consultant.”
 
Registration URL:
http://iwugmay09.eventbrite.com