Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

VII.4.4. Communication Settings

To achieve optimal communication-related performance, administrators need to consider two primary factors: achieving the best possible network speed and selecting the right communication protocol.

VII.4.4.1. Network speed

Normally, other than pleading for better networks with less latency, database administrators don't have much interaction with, or impact on, network speeds. However, a SQL Server administrator can still have a positive impact on network-related performance.

VII.4.4.1.1. Reducing network traffic via stored procedures and functions

One way to guarantee poor performance (and overload your network to boot) is to transmit massive amounts of data between SQL Server and its clients. Fortunately, SQL Server offers capabilities that you can use to process more information on the server, thereby dramatically reducing the amount of data sent between client and server.

Stored procedures and functions are server-side logic that clients of your database server can use to automate operations. Aside from their proven traffic-reduction benefits, they also help simplify client-side application code, increase security, and centralize business logic.

VII.4.4.1.2. Using high-performance subnets

Wherever possible, place database servers, Web servers, and application servers on a high-speed subnet. These lightning-fast connections can do wonders for response time.

VII.4.4.2. Communication protocol

When connecting with SQL Server, you have several ...