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SCALABLE ENTERPRISEOrders per second25020015010050011:18:3011:19:00Replication interval11:19:3011:20:0011:20:3011:21:0011:21:3011:22:0011:22:3011:23:0011:23:3011:24:00Time (hh:mm:ss)Orders per secondResponse time (seconds)11:24:3011:25:0011:25:3011:26:0011:26:3011:27:0011:27:3011:28:00Figure 3. Performance of one Dell PowerEdge 6650 server during SQL Server replication0.250.20.150.10.050Response time (seconds)being generated by a second PowerEdge 6650 server that had acopy of the same data. New orders were replicated nightly fromthe order-entry server to the reports server. The test resultsshowed that replication had a minimal impact on the ability ofthe order-entry server to receive orders, while continuing toaccept orders at a rate of 10 million per month.Dave Jaffe, Ph.D. (dave_jaffe@dell.com) is a senior consultant on the Dell TechnologyShowcase team who specializes in cross-platform solutions. Previously, he worked in the DellServer Performance Lab, where he led the team responsible for Transaction Processing PerformanceCouncil (TPC) benchmarks. Before working at Dell, Dave spent 14 years at IBM in semiconductorprocessing, modeling, and testing, and in server and workstation performance. Hehas a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, and a B.S. in Chemistryfrom Yale University.Figure 3 shows the results of the SQL Server replication. Theresponse time—the total response time for all phases of the order,including login, browse, and purchase—rose slightly during thereplication period but still averaged under 0.1 second, with a fewindividual orders as high as 0.5 second. The order rate was essentiallyflat. Thus, the replication occurred in real time, took aboutseven minutes, and had very little effect on the performance of theorder-entry system as experienced by the customer.Scaling out the enterprise with replication technologyData replication is one method among many for building aMicrosoft SQL Server database application across multiple servers.Using an online DVD store application, the Dell test team demonstratedhow to replicate SQL Server data, with orders beingreceived on one Dell PowerEdge 6650 server and financial reportsTodd Muirhead (todd_muirhead@dell.com) is an engineering consultant on the DellTechnology Showcase team. He specializes in storage area networks and database systems.Todd has a B.A. in Computer Science from the University of North Texas and is MicrosoftCertified Systems Engineer + Internet (MCSE+I) certified.Will Claxton (will_claxton@dell.com) is the Dell alliance manager for enterprise applications,focusing on oversight and strategic direction for Microsoft applications. He has abachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a graduate degree from The University ofTexas at Austin.FOR MORE INFORMATIONDell and Microsoft SQL Server 2000:http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/microsoft_sql?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=bizShare YourExperience inDell Power SolutionsDell Power Solutions is a peer-to-peercommunication forum. We welcome subjectmatterexperts, end users, business partners,Dell engineers, and customers to sharebest-practices information. Our goal is tobuild a repository of solution white papersto improve the quality of IT.Guidelines for submitting articles toDell Power Solutions can be found athttp://www.dell.com/powersolutions.52POWER SOLUTIONS June 2004