Windows 2003 SP2 - Interesting "Change"

[davidbarclay]

According to the Microsoft BS Machine, SP2 does this:

"Performance improvements under Windows virtualization and for SQL Server"

Has anyone found further information on what this actually means? Probably too early for feedback on it, but would be keen to see if it lives up to the claim.

Dave

[esiebert7625]

I see it's finally been released, I think I'll wait at least a few months before applying it....

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsserver/sp2/top-reasons.mspx

Reason 9 to use SP2:

Service Pack 2 offers performance improvements for Windows Server 2003 running as a Virtual Server guest under high Advanced Processor Interrupt Controller (APIC) rates. It also improves SQL Server performance under intensive workloads. Both of these improvements lead to more efficient data processing.

I bet you have to use Microsoft Virtual Server for the improvments

[kix1979]

Well the new longhorn is in beta too!

[davidbarclay]

Found this:

"SQL Server PM Umachandar Jayachandran related that the improvements are related to winsock API. The change in the winsock API is more perceivable on SQL workloads running with 8 CPUs + multiple NICs. For example, you may notice it when running a high-end SAP load. It will not be noticeable/measurable on other configurations. Note that you'll need both Windows 2003 and SQL Server 2005 SP2 or higher also. "

Dave

Message was edited by:

davidbarclay - typo

[Yps]

Anyone tested to install it on a VM and see if it works fine?

/Magnus

[TorEgil]

We test installed on 3 32bit win2k3 this went well and 2 64bit. So far so good.

Tor Egil

[abrough]

Installed it onto 32 and 64bit VM's with no issues, also onto a 64bit computer running VMware server 1.02

[daniel_uk]

been looking for some resource on this and cant find nowt really that gives more detailed info on the APIC Changes.

Thanks

Dan