Microsoft Best Practices for SQL

Recently we had a Microsoft SQL resource onsite to troubleshoot issues we were having with adding a node to a cluster. While he was onsite we did an assesment of our cluster configurations & came up with several best practices for clustered nodes running SQL.

MSCS Specific

Heartbeat NIC: HEARTBEAT should be 1st in Network Priority (Cluster Admin > Properties > Network Priority). Heartbeat NIC: Private Heartbeat address should not be registered in DNS (NIC Properties > Advanced TCP/IP Settings > DNS > "Register this connections' addresses in DNS" checkbox). Heartbeat NIC: NetBIOS over TCP/IP should be disabled (NIC Properties > Advanced TCP/IP Settings > WINS > NetBIOS Setting > "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP" checkbox).

All SQL

File/Print Sharing: Change maximize data throughput to Network Application (NIC Properties > File & Printer Sharing for Microsoft > Properties > "Maximize data throughput for network applications" radio button). Processor Scheduling: Adjust for best performance to Programs (My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Processor Scheduling > "Programs" radio button). Memory Usage: Adjust for best performance to Programs (My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Memory Usage > "Programs" radio button).