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BP1014 Enhancing SQL Server Protection using Dell EqualLogic Snapshot Smart Copies
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3.2 Testing SQL Server backup processing impact
In this test we measured the impact on server and database performance when running the SQL
Server® native backup utility to create a full database backup across the SAN fabric to a volume
hosted on a second storage array.
Test details:
 Database size at the Full Backup point: 130GB
 Database Workload: During the test timeline Quest Benchmark Factory was used to simulate a
TPC-C style workload. A constant 4000 user workload was simulated, generating an average
I/O load of 220 transactions per second against the database.
 During this test 24GB of RAM and two CPUs where allocated to the database server VM,
providing aggregate computing power of 4.52 GHz.
Figure 3 illustrates the data flow across the SAN during creation of the database backup.
Figure 3 – Database backup data flow