Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2005

One way to speed up SQL Server 2005 is to upgrade the underlying operating system to Windows 2008. Why? My top three reasons would be:

  1. The network stack is substantially faster so you can get the data to the users faster.
  2. Windows server 2008 like SQL Server 2008 has a resource management capability so you can ensure SQL gets and keeps the memory it needs  without something else pinching it.
  3. Even though SQL Server won’t run in core because of it’s dependency on the .Net framework, you can install a really thin operating system with just what you need on it.  This reduces attack surface, the need for patching and makes more resources available for SQL Server.

However be aware you might need some hot fixes so check these articles before you try it as SQL Server 2005 may not install cleanly on the new OS:

Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems (KB950636)

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad44cb1c-2e36-45b4-bf4c-e0b01b12b233&DisplayLang=en

Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition (KB950636)

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a0d43131-bb2c-4f46-b2f0-b90b14865948&DisplayLang=en

Update for Windows Server 2008 (KB950636)

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=fb0ee17e-96eb-4cbb-ac09-95a4dcf73077&DisplayLang=en

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