Do you not have a full-time DBA to keep Microsoft SQL Server databases running according to industry standards and best practices? Sometimes even DBAs want to test their SQL Servers against various best practices.

In the past, you would have to tweak your SQL Server settings manually to find the ideal configuration. Now, Microsoft has released a tool called the Microsoft SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer. With this tool, you can test and implement a combination of SQL Server best practices and then implement them on your SQL Server. I am going to go over how to install the tool and show you how it works.

After downloading this tool from Microsoft’s Web site, you simply run the BPASETUP Windows Installer Package. The installer does a check to make sure you have the correct .NET Framework version installed. If you do not have this installed, you will be directed to Microsoft’s Web site to download it. In addition to having the correct .NET Framework, you must also have Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. You can install the SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer on any of the following platforms:

  • Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

Once you begin the installation and verify the .NET Framework version, you will be prompted with the welcome screen and then asked to accept the license agreement. Once you have accepted the license agreement, you can choose your SQL Server name, database name, and authentication mode (Figure A).

This information is used to create the Best Practices database in your SQL Server, shown in Figure B as sqlbpa. After you enter this information, the installer finishes the installation and you are ready to work with the product.

In my next post, we will continue with how to work with the SQLBPA. Stay Tuned!