SQL Server Virtualization, Consolidation and Private Cloud Resources

We've been seeing a lot of interest in optimizing SQL Server for virtualization private cloud deployment lately. Below is an attempt to put useful links to recent SQL Server virtualizaiton, consolidation and private cloud resources in one place, divided into a range of topics such as benefits, comparisons, products and tools, planning and what to consider. These originally appeared in the TechEd breakout session: Microsoft SQL Server in Virtualization and Private Cloud:

Topic Resource (Why consolidate)

Benefits on SQL Server consolidation/virtualization

SQL Server 2008 R2 Consolidation Datasheet

SQL Server 2008 Consolidation Whitepaper

SQL Server 2008 R2 Virtualization Datasheet

SQL Server 2008 R2 Licensing and website

Support policy for SQL Server virtualizationSQL Server Consolidation Guidance

 

Topic Resource (Comparison)

Compare

Cost Comparison Calculator

Hyper-V Calculator

Why Hyper-V for existing VMware customers?

Hyper-V vs. VMware operational cost comparison

Hyper-V vs. VMware cost comparison white paper

Hyper-V vs. VMware cost comparison video

Hyper-V vs. VMware ongoing cost comparison

Debunk VMware cost calculator from Taneja Group

Hyper-V is the best virtualization for SQL Server

 

Topic Resource (How to plan and deploy
 

Windows/Hyper-V

 

Windows Server Virtualization Guide

Hyper-V VM Processor Compatibility

 

Partner resources

 

SQL Server Consolidation on IBM x3850 servers

NetApp SQL Server Consolidation/Virtualization

 

Tools

 

Consolidation Planning Tool for SQL Server

MAP Toolkit

Offline Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 2.1

 

Plan and deploy

Consolidation using SQL Server 2008

SQL Server Virtualization with Hyper-V

Managing SQL Server Virtual Appliances

Analysis Services Consolidation Guidance

Onboarding SQL Server Private Cloud Environment

 

Topic Resource (What to consider)
 

Security

 

Hyper-V Security Guide

 

HA

 

Hyper-V Live Migration Architecture

 

Resource management

 

Server Memory Options

Affinity mask Option

Resource Governor Whitepaper

Managing SQL Server with Resource Governor

Support Statement for Dynamic Memory in SQL Server Virtualization

 

Manageability

 

System Center VMM Self-Service Portal 2.0

P2V in System Center VMM

Virtualization with Hyper-V

How to: Extract a DAC

 

Storage requirements

 

Data Compression Strategy for SQL Server 2008

SQL Server Compression Datasheet

SQL Server Compression Whitepaper

Unicode compression in SQL Server 2008 R2

Pre-deployment I/O Best Practices

Disk Alignment Best Practices for SQL Server

 

Performance and scalability

SQL Server in Hyper-V Best Practice

High Performance SQL Server on Hyper-V

Virtual Hard Disk Performance White Paper

Hyper-V R2 Performance By ESG

Hyper-V R2 SP1 Workload Performance By ESG

 

Any recommendations? Let me know.

- Guy