Mat Stephen's SQL Server WebLog : SQL 64 bit

64 Bit performance v 32 bit performance - some compelling evidence

Mat_Stephen — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 15:23:00 GMT

More and more ITPros are looking for help in deciding between 64 bit and 32 bit boxes, often they are looking for evidence that 64 bit is worth the investment and worth the risk (of adopting a new platform).

This link http://www.microsoft.com/sql/64bit/productinfo/winhecdemo.mspx takes you to a compelling demo, delivered at the Microsoft WinHEC 2005 conference, which compares (graphically) the performance of SQL Server 2005 running on the 32-bit version of Windows Server 2003 compared with SQL Server 2005 running on Windows Server 2003, x64 Edition.

Enjoy

SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 - baked and Ready to go

Mat_Stephen — Fri, 06 May 2005 16:54:00 GMT

Improve the performance, serviceability, and enhance the security of your SQL Server 2000 installations with SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4.

SP4 will be released to the web and be available for customer download on Friday, May 6, 2005 at 9am PST.

· SP4 is the first service pack to service the 64-bit edition of SQL Server 2000.

· SP4 adds platform support for Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition allowing 32-bit SQL Server applications to run on 64-bit hardware when using Windows on Windows emulation (WOW64).

· SP4 provides customers with the latest updates and fixes to SQL Server 2000 released since SP3a.

· SP4 provides enhanced performance, serviceability, and security to SQL Server 2000.

The download page can be accessed from this link: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/downloads/2000/sp4.asp (Note: this link will not be active until 5p.m. GMT.)

SQL Server 2000 SP4 Highlights
Adds the following platform support:
With Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition, SP4 provides support for 32-bit SQL Server applications on 64-bit architectures using the Windows on Windows emulator (WOW64). For more information on specific 64-bit platforms supported, see the Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions Product Overview.

Note: SQL Server 32-bit applications, including SQL server client tools, are still not supported on WOW64 for IA64. Also, currently 32-bit Reporting Services is not supported to run on WOW64 on IA64 and x64 platforms running Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition.
· All updates and fixes released since the original release of SQL Server 2000.

· SP4 includes the MS03-031 security bulletin released in July, 2003.

· SP4 improves performance on 64-bit systems with 32 or more processors.

· SP4 introduces new serviceability functionality that enables you to remove hotfixes applied to SP4 and later versions of SQL Server 2000 running on Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Note: SP4 itself cannot be rolled back.

Its Sunbelieveable: Sun’s First Windows - Microsoft SQL Server SAP Benchmark and Certification

Mat_Stephen — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 03:03:00 GMT

Actually, I reckon it must be Sun’s first Windows - SQL Server benchmark ever, unless you know otherwise?

It’s great to see Sun embracing the new Opeteron chip from AMD and coming up with a great 32 bit SAP SD 2 tier 2 proc benchmark

http://www50.sap.com/benchmark/pdf/cert0205.pdf

Can’t wait till we get Windows Server 2003 sp1 – then perhaps we’ll see them do a 64 bit benchmark and hopefully show Windows and SQL as the fastest kids on the block. Surely we’ll be able to do better (can't say 'beat' obviously) than the Oracle 64 bit benchmark

It’s great to have Sun join the team.

Microsoft SQL Server 64 bit links

Mat_Stephen — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 22:05:00 GMT

Our 64 bit SQL Server case studies can be found @ http://www.microsoft.com/sql/64bit/productinfo/casestudies.asp

The 64 bit SQL Server home page is @ http://www.microsoft.com/sql/64bit/default.asp

Some material around 64 bit SAP/SQL @ http://www.microsoft-sap.com/technology.asp#64_bit

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (64-bit) Analysis Services: Why Migrate, and What to Expect If You Do http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/evaluate/ansvcs64.mspx

The Advantages of 64-bit to SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Business Intelligence Customers http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/evaluate/64btdwc4.mspx