Actian Hybrid Data Conference 2018 London Actian Hybrid Data Conference 2018 London

Turbocharge Your Zen and PSQL Performance

Bill Bach President, Goldstar Software Inc. Actian Zen Background What is Actian Zen?

Actian Zen, formerly known as Actian PSQL, formerly known as Pervasive PSQL, formerly known as Pervasive.SQL, formerly known as Btrieve: • Stores data for a wide variety of software solutions, in every vertical market imaginable • Offers high speed, low overhead, database access to applications • Provides both transactional (NoSQL) and relational (SQL) access models, giving developers the right tool for the job • Requires no DBA to configure or manage, reducing operational costs

Zen has a VERY long history. Here are some previous versions: • Pervasive.SQL 2000i: End of Support: July 1, 2004 • Pervasive.SQL V8: End of Support December 31, 2006 • Pervasive PSQL v9: End of Support: January 1, 2010 • Pervasive PSQL Summit v10: End of Support: March 1, 2012 • Actian PSQL v11: End of Support: July 1, 2016 • Actian PSQL v12: Supported Through July 1, 2019 • Actian Zen v13: Current product, Released June 2017!

Most Compelling New Features in v13 for End Users: • PSQL Reporting Engine: Offloads SQL workload from main database server, providing horizontal scalability • New Cache Management Functions: Pre-loads (or purges) cache blocks, optimizing engine performance after a restart • Active Directory Security Integration: Simplifies SQL security by leveraging AD groups, simplifying implementation further

Most Compelling New Features in v13 for Developers: • New SDK’s and API’s: Simplifies development learning curve and provides access from scripting languages (e.g. Python) • New Developer Features: Adds TRY_CAST and TRY_CONVERT in SQL, & the new LIKE syntax on GetNextExtended operations • New Platforms: Adds Windows Nano Server, Raspberry Pi, and Android environments to existing Windows, Mac and Linux solutions

▪Server Hardware ▪Server Operating System ▪Database Engine and Files ▪Network Communications ▪Workstation Hardware ▪Workstation Operating System ▪Application Design and Total Work-Load

▪CPU Clock Speed ▪Number of Cores ▪System Memory (RAM) ▪Hard Disk Drives –Drive Speed (RPM) –Drive Throughput –RAID Configuration –Consider SSD for Boot ▪High Speed NIC with TOE

▪Consider RAM Disk for Temp Files ▪Consider AntiVirus Exclusions ▪Disable Unneeded Services ▪Disable OS-Level Firewalls ▪Set High Performance Mode! –Check BIOS Power Configuration –Check Control Panel, Power Options –Verify with CPU_Z

▪Use the 64-bit Database Engine ▪Use Lots of RAM for L1 Cache (Up to data size) ▪Disable L2 Cache (The OS Can Mess With It!) ▪Segregate Test Databases onto Test Servers ▪Rebuild Data Files for 16K Pages –rbldcli –f95 –p16384 –c *.* ▪Pre-Load Data Cache After Reboot –BUTIL –CACHE with Zen v13 –BTRVLOAD *.* /T100 for PSQL v12 or Older (www.goldstarsoftware.com/btrvload.asp)

▪Use Wired Ethernet, Not Wireless! ▪Use Quality Cat5e Cables (or Better) ▪Key Is Latency, not Bandwidth! –Minimize Workstation→Server Distance/Time –Check Latency with Wireshark –If Latency is High, Use RDP/Citrix

▪Mainly Controlled by Software Developers ▪More Data = More Work; Archive if Possible! ▪Use Extended Operations Where Needed ▪System Can Be Affected by Large SQL Reports –Consider Using New Reporting Engine in Zen v13 ▪SQL Query Optimization Is a MUST! –All JOINs Should Use an Index –Look for an Index for WHERE Clauses –Avoid ORDER BY (when possible) –Avoid Temp Tables (when possible)

▪Cause: CPU Running Slower than Rated Speed ▪Verify: Run CPU_Z Test Tool https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html ▪Solve: Check BIOS Settings –Disable Power Management ▪Solve: Check OS Settings –Set to High Performance

▪Cause: Insufficient Cache Memory ▪Verify: Review PerfMon Counter for L1 Cache Usage % ▪Verify: Review PerfMon Ctr for L1 Cache Misses/Sec ▪Solve: Increase Database Engine L1 Cache (If Possible) ▪Solve: Pre-Load Cache

▪Cause: L2 Cache Thrashing ▪Verify: Excessive Page Faults Seen in Task Manager ▪Solve: Disable L2 Cache in Config

▪Cause: Slow Disk Subsystem ▪Verify: Use Process Monitor to See Disk Access Times ▪Solve: Reconfigure Disks or Replace Server!

▪Cause: Excessive Network Latency ▪Verify: Capture Network Traffic with Wireshark ▪Solve: Redesign Network to Cut Latency

End User Services Developer Services Training Classes ▪ Engine Installation & Patching ▪ Application Analysis ▪ PSQL Service & Support ▪ Server Performance Reviews ▪ Database Call Optimization ▪ Advanced Network Troubleshooting for ▪ Data File Recovery Services ▪ Developer Kickstart Session PSQL ▪ Database Backup Verification ▪ SQL Query Optimization ▪ DataExchange Implementation ▪ Disaster Recovery Replication ▪ Support Team Training ▪ Customized Training ▪ Data Replication to Vector for Analytics ▪ On-Site Sessions Available and Reporting ▪ Administrative Tools