ELM and SQL Server Tuning Tips

When it comes to the servers running ELM and your SQL databases, there are some simple improvements you can make now that will last all year long.

Performance tuning is not an exact science which means you will find yourself doing some experimenting from time to time – measure/change/measure again. However, we have compiled a list (by no means exhaustive) that can improve the overall performance of ELM and SQL in your environment. Benefits will vary on given hardware, but there may be a few golden nuggets in this list of suggestions you can take away that will help your systems run at peak performance all year long; even if your new years resolutions typically only last a couple weeks.

(The steps vary depending on OS, so you’ll find they’re not precise in a specific UI.)

Turn off Visual Effects:

◦Control Panel
->System
->Advanced tab
->Performance section, ‘Settings’ button
->Visual Effects tab
->Select ‘Adjust for best performance’

Processor scheduling for Background services:

◦Control Panel
->System
->Advanced tab
->Performance section ‘Settings’ button
->Advanced tab
->Processor scheduling section, select ‘Background services’

Enable /3GB switch (32-bit OS):

◦Control Panel
->System
->Advanced tab
->Startup and Recovery section, Settings button
->Edit button
->Add ‘/3GB’ to the [operations systems] section

Virtual Memory (if multiple physical drives available):

◦Control Panel
->System
->Advanced tab
->Performance section ‘Settings’ button
->Advanced tab
->Virtual Memory section, ‘Change’ button.
->Create at least a 2nd paging file on another drive.

Throughput for network apps (appears to be n/a on Windows 2008 and later):

◦ Control Panel
->Network
->Open properties of the active network connection
->File and Printer Sharing for MS Networks
->Properties button
->Select ‘Maximize data throughput for network apps’ radio button

Defragment disks.

Remove Desktop background:

◦Control Panel
->Display
->Desktop tab
->Set Background to ‘(None)’

Disable Screen Saver:

◦Control Panel
->Display
->Screen Saver tab
->Set Screen saver to ‘(None)’

Disable power saving time-outs:

◦Control Panel
->Power Options
->Change the Power Scheme so disks are never turned off.

Disable NIC power saving time-outs:

◦Control Panel
->Network
->General tab
->Configure button
->Power Management tab
->Uncheck “Allow turn off to save power”
We hope that you found this article on ELM and SQL Server Tuning Tips useful and wish you continued success with ELM.