1. Dynamics AX Performance
Matt Go
Sr. Premier Field Engineer
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2. Agenda SQL Server Configuration SQL Server Trace Flags
The Query Optimizer and Statistics
Database Maintenance
Tempdb
Proactive Monitoring

3. SQL Server Configuration
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SQL Server Configuration
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Make sure 20% of physical memory is allocated to the OS MAXDOP is set to 1 Enable Instant File Initialization (SQL Server 2016 and newer, this configured during the installation of SQL) using GPEDIT.MSC > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment > Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks. Stay current on patches. Limit System Administrator role. Document everything!
© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

5. SQL Server Trace Flags

6. 1117
1118
1224
2371
4139
4199
4136 – don’t use it.
SQL Server 2016 – 1117, 1118 are enabled by default for tempdb

7. The Query Optimizer and Statistics

8. What is the query optimizer?
It is the component of SQL Server that creates execution plans.
What is an execution plan and where are they stored?
It is a road map that the database engine uses to retrieve data.
Execution plans are stored in the procedure cache.
What are statistics?
Statistics represent the distribution of your data.
Statistics plays a huge role in AX performance, more so than index fragmentation. Why?
Query optimizer uses statistics for cardinality estimation to formulate a good enough execution plan (query plan and execution plan are synonymous).

9. Cont.

10. Database Maintenance

11. Database and transaction log backups – part of your backup and restore strategy. Ensure IT is regularly validating database backups AND transaction log backups.
Database integrity check – DBCC CHECKDB should be ran weekly
Index maintenance – Rebuilds vs. Reorganize
Statistics maintenance – Daily, and sometimes even more.
Toolset for database maintenance -

12. Tempdb Database

13. Tempdb is heavily used with RCSI, which AX should be configured for.
This is a system database that is used by all databases on your instance of SQL Server.
Tempdb is heavily used with RCSI, which AX should be configured for.
Have multiple tempdb data files:
n = number of cores, up to 8
All data files should be identically sized
Tempdb should be on your fastest disks.
How do you size it initially?

14. Proactive Monitoring

15. Performance Monitor (aka Perfmon) – an oldie, but a goodie.
Data Collector Sets – free
SQL Server
Server-scoped and database-scoped out-of-the-box reports
SQLTrace\SQL Server Profiler\xEvents
Management Data Warehouse
DynamicsPerf – (combination of DMVs, Perfmon traces, SQL Trace and Extended Events)

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© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.