How to optimize MS-SQL server

Optimizing Microsoft SQL Server involves a combination of configuration settings, query optimization, indexing, and other performance tuning techniques. Here are some tips for optimizing MS SQL Server:

1. Query Optimization:
   • Use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Query Execution Plan to analyze and optimize queries.
   • Rewrite complex queries, use appropriate indexes, and avoid unnecessary joins and subqueries.
2. Indexes:
   • Properly index columns used in WHERE, JOIN, and ORDER BY clauses.
   • Regularly maintain indexes by rebuilding or reorganizing them based on fragmentation levels.
   • Consider using filtered indexes for queries that only access a subset of the data.
3. Statistics:
   • Keep statistics up to date to help the query optimizer generate efficient execution plans.
   • Use the UPDATE STATISTICS command or enable the automatic update of statistics.
4. Partitioning:
   • Implement table partitioning for large tables to improve query performance and manage data more efficiently.
5. Tempdb Optimization:
   • Size and configure the tempdb database appropriately.
   • Place tempdb on fast storage, and consider having multiple data files to reduce contention.
6. Memory Configuration:
   • Allocate sufficient memory to SQL Server using the max server memory configuration option.
   • Adjust the min server memory option based on your server’s requirements.
7. Disk Configuration:
   • Place database files on separate physical disks to reduce I/O contention.
   • Use appropriate RAID levels for fault tolerance and performance.
8. Stored Procedure Optimization:
   • Prefer stored procedures over ad-hoc queries for better performance and plan reuse.
   • Optimize the logic within stored procedures and functions.
9. Update Statistics:
   • Regularly update statistics using the UPDATE STATISTICS command or enable the automatic update of statistics.
10. Database Maintenance:
    • Regularly perform database maintenance tasks such as index rebuilds, database backups, and integrity checks.
11. Query Store:
    • Use the Query Store feature to monitor and troubleshoot query performance over time.
12. Use Execution Plans:
    • Examine and understand execution plans for your queries to identify performance bottlenecks.
    • Optimize queries based on the insights from execution plans.
13. Enable Instant File Initialization:
    • Enable instant file initialization to speed up the process of growing data files.
14. Monitor and Alerting:
    • Implement monitoring and alerting to be notified of performance issues promptly.
    • Use SQL Server Performance Monitor and other tools to monitor key performance indicators.
15. Upgrade SQL Server:
    • Keep your SQL Server instance up to date with the latest service packs and cumulative updates to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.

Always test changes in a controlled environment before applying them to a production database. Additionally, consult the official Microsoft SQL Server documentation for version-specific details and considerations.