Where is your TempDB?

Eventually, I will be posting a list of my pet peeves for SQL Server. This one will make #1 or #2:

DO NOT INSTALL YOUR TEMPDB FILES ON THE ROOT!

Recently, I've started a new job. One of my first tasks has been to document the system since nothing exists to indicate what state the environment is in currently. Figuring that the best place to begin would be to understand the installation, I log into each server and do a thorough investigation of the filesystem and default locations. What I find, incredibly, is a hodge-podge of installation architectures. Incredible. The most glaring issue, by far, is the fact that on at least half of the servers, TempDB files (sometimes both data and log) are installed right on the C:\ in the installation default location.

Why should this be a problem, you say? Let me give you the short list:

1. TempDB is responsible for a lot of processing, it can fill up FAST.
2. A Root directory is typically only OS and the drive is often smaller than others which might be available. TempDB can fill up FAST.
3. Configuring TempDB is often overlooked, allowing for out of control growth of both the data and the log files. TempDB can fill up FAST.
4. When you get a call at 4am from your server telling you "there is not enough space on the disk" it doesn't make for a good start to your day.

I will happily point you to the following article on MSSQLTips.com which is a great resource for working with TempDB.

http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1432

The good news is, since I was able to fix the issue quickly, I get to play the hero.

Another day in the life of a DBA!

Officially Blogging

After toying with the idea for months now, I have finally jumped in and decided to start a blog. I will not limit my topics to anything in particular, but you can be assured there will be snippets from Work (Microsoft SQL Server DBA), Dance and Motherhood.

This will not, however, be a 'mommy blog'.

Well, maybe occassionally. They do some funny stuff ya know!

I'm usually willing to give anything a try at least once, so we will see how this goes. I hope to be able to contribute the SQL Server community, keep up with my friends and maybe introduce a few people to the amazing world of Tribal Fusion bellydance.

Happy Monday to the two people who will probably read this! I plan to follow up with an actual posting later today.