SQLIOSim - Identify the optimal disk configuration and troubleshoot I/O faults before deploying SQL Server

I came across a very cool tool while helping one of my colleagues troubleshoot a database corruption issue. This tool is called SQLIOSim which simulates SQL Server I/O workload, even when SQL Server is not installed. In earlier versions, we had the SQLIOStress utility which tested I/O workload. SQLIOSim is an enhanced version of this tool.

Note: As a best practice mentioned over here, to help maintain appropriate data integrity and security, Microsoft recommends that you perform stress tests of your I/O subsystem before you deploy SQL Server on new hardware. The SQLIOSim utility simulates the read patterns, the write patterns, and the problem identification techniques of SQL Server.

Here’s a document that will teach you the basics of SQLIO.

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE, is the founder of DotNetCurry, DNC Magazine for Developers, SQLServerCurry and DevCurry. He has also authored a couple of books 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls and a new one recently at The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

Suprotim has received the prestigous Microsoft MVP award for nine times in a row now. In a professional capacity, he is the CEO of A2Z Knowledge Visuals Pvt Ltd, a digital group that represents premium web sites and digital publications comprising of Professional web, windows, mobile and cloud developers, technical managers, and architects.

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