SQL Server 2012 and NUMA - Practical implications

[aetius1980]

Hi,

I've been reading up on SQL Server and NUMA, with ESXi 5.1 in mind. I've read that I should be using the same NUMA architecture on hosts - does this mean in practice I should be using the same type, speed, etc of RAM on my hosts? I'm trying to find out if my HP servers have the same NUMA architecture, but so far I haven't been able to find much information on it.

I'm thinking of just buying identical hardware to ensure I get it right.

Thanks

[kjb007 · Accepted solution]

Identical hardware is definitely a big plus when your guest has optimizations relating to NUMA, and your guest and application can take advantage of them.  With vNUMA, the level of optimization and the benefits provided by it depends on the guest, as well as the hardware, so having identical NUMA architecture at the host level will provide the most benefits.  The Performance guide (http://www.vmware.com/pdf/Perf_Best_Practices_vSphere5.1.pdf)

has additional details.

-KjB