The new parallel buffer scan feature in SQL Server 2022 improves the performance of Buffer Pool scan operations on large-memory machines by utilizing multiple CPU cores. Customers running SQL Server on large-memory machines (e.g. TBs of memory) can see up to 4 ~ 20 times faster executions on some scenarios which has been slow due to Buffer Pool scan. Those scenarios include creating a new database, backup/restore operations, AlwaysOn failover, file drop, and DBCC check operations. Internal operations (e.g. checkpoint) that requires Buffer Pool scan will also get the benefits. The parallel scan feature also improves the Buffer Pool scan performance of small databases residing on large-memory machines.
Category: Memory
Optimizing SQL Server Performance: A Look at the Buffer Cache and Page Life Expectancy
SQL Server Buffer Cache is pivotal in enhancing SQL Server performance by minimizing the reliance on physical I/O operations. This article looks at the significance and the role of SQL Server Buffer Cache, its implications in high volume scenarios, and provides insights on its management, with an emphasis on the impacts of low Page Life Expectancy (PLE) in large transactional environments.
A Look Under the Hood: An Exploration of SQL Server Pages
SQL Server, the comprehensive, enterprise-scale relational database management system from Microsoft, is structured upon layers of sophistication and fine-tuned mechanics. A fundamental, yet often overlooked component in this intricate web is the ‘Page’. Though a seemingly subtle element, pages play a critical role in the seamless operation and organization of SQL Server. In this post, we will dissect the concept of SQL Server pages, exploring their structure, and demonstrate how to look inside them using Transact-SQL (T-SQL), providing you a more in depth understanding of SQL Server’s internal architecture.