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Building A SQL Server Test Lab

This document discusses setting up a SQL Server test lab using virtualization software. It compares Hyper-V and VMWare as options for creating virtual machines and considers factors like installation process, configuration needs, ability to share VMs, and costs. The document then outlines the key components needed for a test lab, including an Active Directory domain, DNS, storage server, and multiple SQL Server VMs. It provides guidance on the order and steps to install each component, such as building the domain controller VM first before additional Windows Server and SQL Server VMs. Potential issues like network configuration and ensuring patches are applied are also addressed. Both advantages like flexibility and disadvantages like resource usage of a virtualized test lab are acknowledged.

Uploaded by

Fazal Ur Rehman Shah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
122 views

Building A SQL Server Test Lab

This document discusses setting up a SQL Server test lab using virtualization software. It compares Hyper-V and VMWare as options for creating virtual machines and considers factors like installation process, configuration needs, ability to share VMs, and costs. The document then outlines the key components needed for a test lab, including an Active Directory domain, DNS, storage server, and multiple SQL Server VMs. It provides guidance on the order and steps to install each component, such as building the domain controller VM first before additional Windows Server and SQL Server VMs. Potential issues like network configuration and ensuring patches are applied are also addressed. Both advantages like flexibility and disadvantages like resource usage of a virtualized test lab are acknowledged.

Uploaded by

Fazal Ur Rehman Shah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Building

Ted Krueger
SQL Server MVP
Data Architect

a SQL Server Test Lab

What makes a full SQL Server Lab Useful

An installation nightmare on one system


Error prone shared features and files
Multiple versions, builds, and editions
Testing unique installations
Testing Security, Network, Domain, Cross Environments

Agenda
Decisions on Virtual Technology

Hyper-V
VMWare
VHD
Cost Associations

Speed Testing
Storage
Fundamental requirements of your lab

Network
Domain
Storage Server
Security
Licensing We dont need no stinking

Decisions, decisions
How much money do you have
VMWare Workstation is around $250
Client Hyper-V
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 7 Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro or VMWare

Can your laptop/desktop handle this?


Memory is cheap so why do you have 4GB
Disk is cheap but can a laptop take more
Allocate around 25% to 30% to your virtual lab when it is running

Ease of installation and use

Windows 8 Pro? Hyper-V installation is a feature on tick away


Hyper-V is a bit more configuration needy
VMWare Workstation
VMWare out of the box runs with little to no configuration other than, create VM

Do you intend to share virtual machines?


Consultant, FTE, Geek in a garage

Cost

VMWare Workstation around $250


SQL Server Developer around $50
Windows Server 2012 Evaluation for 180 Days
Possible Disk, Memory Upgrade Needs
You are ready to go

All of these are feasible and


much room for company
expenses based on how you
sell the need
5

VMWare battles with Hyper-V Decisions


What really is our need?
Setting up a SQL Server lab, not learning virtualization
Purchase, install, configure what will be efficient

Both will suck the life out of your machine


Both will require more disk
Did I mention Windows Server is not free?
Yes, SQL Server does not come with it either
On Windows 8 Pro? No brainer, Hyper-V
Cant have both
Did someone say, Cloud?

AWS and Azure Decisions


Completely Capable Resources

Full Windows Server Installation Support


Full SQL Server Feature-set Support
Cost associated in bandwidth more than anything
Evaluation in Azure is greatly increased now
Performance variations do apply Metal and Cloud are not the same
Disk Configurations
Core Count
Memory Usage
Shared Areas

Speed, performance, I/O, Memory


Speed is a critical factor to calculate
Testing on a virtual lab <> Server infrastructure
Laptop <> DL580
Calculate a base formulation for a Best Estimate

4MB
2048 MB

X
65536 MB

Who wants a mini-NAS?


Seriously, mini/portable SAN/NAS devices are useful
External Drives
Utilizing the ROM bay
Who really uses CD/DVDs any more?

Laptop upgrade
Multiple bays

SSD vs. SATA

Fundamental Needs
Complete Solution

Active Directory
DNS
Storage Services
SQL Server
Features
Failover

Active Directory

SQL Server 2012 Developer

DNS

SQL Server 2012 Developer


Storage Server
10

Whats first?
Things have to go in order

Domain Controller VM
DC Configure Active Directory
DC Configure DNS
DC Configure Storage Services and Shares
Snapshot Clone
Create Windows Server 2012 VM
Feature installations (.NET etc), Patch, hotfix, Security, Configure

11

Snapshot Clone
Copy Windows Server 2012 VM Clone x 2
Install SQL Server 2012, patch, configure
Snapshot Clone
Install SQL Server 2012, patch, configure

Network VMWare/Hyper-V
Hyper-V requires you to create a virtual switch
After that, you are good enough

VMWare will allow out-of-the-box type configurations


So youre good from there

Network configuration
Complicated or Simplistic
Remember what the purpose is
Availability Group and multi-subnet testing
Internet access

12

Domain Controller to Rule Them All!


Were not working at being an expert here
Step one install operating system
OK, were better than that

Step one Windows Server 2012 makes this easy


Install Active Directory Domain Services and Group Policy Management
Add Domain Controller
Add Forest
Checkbox, Checkbox, CheckboxDNS you dont want to have to add this later
Dont forget passwords and dont write them under your laptop on a sticky note
Pick a meaningful NetBIOS name
ONPNT.TedsDomain.com

13

Windows Server VM Build

Ensure you have your ISO ready


Never bypass patching, SP level, Hotfixes
Security Do it right as easy as it is to do it wrong
Decide between Server Core or GUI or Both
I created my domain and a Windows Server but the Windows Server
cannot see the domain
Network. Its always the network
IP Configuration is your quickest configuration to a happy end result

14

SQL Server / Windows Server Failover Cluster

15

High Availability testing in your virtual lab


Never bypass patching, SP level, Hotfixes
Technology testing for SQL Server 2012/2014
Feature-set exposure
Capitalize on Windows Knowledge
Capitalize on quick VM builds to SQL Server configuration

Startup / Shutdown Order


First rule, dont leave your VMs running all the time
Second rule, dont leave your VMs running all the time
Think about the order of shutdown

16

Node 4
Node 3
Secondary in failover
Primary in failover
Domain is always last we havent setup DC replication

Negatives vs. Positives


Cons
Remember, it is a hard life for your laptop/desktop
Cost associated with it

Pros

17

You can test just about everything on your own


You have a much less chance of affecting your host
You can start from scratch in minutes
Supporting multiple versions, editions and on different OS versions, Editions

You know you have a list of them

18

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