Whitepaper: SQL Server and Hyper-V consolidation

A new whitepaper on Microsoft's internal implementation of SQL Server on Hyper-V virtualization:

Executive Summary

Many Microsoft® SQL Server® instances deployed in Microsoft data centers operate on dedicated server hardware. However, SQL Server instances frequently underutilize the hardware resources. Each server requires management, physical space within the data center, power, and cooling—all of which are finite resources.

Microsoft Information Technology (Microsoft IT) recognized that these finite resources were being overused and sometimes depleted. For example, Microsoft data centers experienced a shortage of physical space. The power needs of the servers themselves and the power required to provide cooling to the data centers also present an expense to Microsoft.

One way to solve the problem of ever-increasing demands on finite computing resources is through consolidation and virtualization. Microsoft IT successfully deployed similar projects for other areas with the release of the Compute Utility to manage memory and processor resources, and the Storage Utility to manage disk resources. These utilities changed the way Microsoft IT presents resources to business users. Instead of purchasing server hardware, the business user purchases compute units (CUs) or storage units (SUs) based on the needs of the application. Microsoft IT obtained CUs from Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation for various processor chips. CUs provide a realistic way of comparing the processing power of servers that have different processors.

Microsoft IT identified that the number of SQL Server computers in the organization was growing as new applications went online, and that about 20 percent of the SQL Server computers were reaching their scheduled end-of-life (EOL) date and would need to be replaced each year. This presented an opportunity for Microsoft IT to create a new service called the SQL Utility. The SQL Utility provides virtualized SQL Server instances based on actual resource requirements.

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By using technologies such as Hyper-V and the Windows Server® 2008 operating system, the SQL Utility creates a highly available and easily managed environment. The 2009 goal for the SQL Utility is to reduce dedicated SQL Server single-instance hosts by 10 percent, in addition to laying the foundation for future consolidation efforts.

This white paper examines the deployment of the SQL Utility within Microsoft IT, including the decisions that Microsoft IT made, implementation details, and aspects of system quality. It assumes that readers are technical decision makers and are somewhat familiar with Windows Server and SQL Server technologies. Many of the principles and techniques described in this paper can apply to other organizations. However, this paper is based on the experience and recommendations of Microsoft IT as an early adopter. It is not intended to serve as a procedural guide. Each enterprise environment has unique circumstances; therefore, each organization should adapt the plans and lessons learned described in this paper to meet its specific needs.