SQL Server 2008 R2 Best Practices Analyzer will gather information and determine configuration for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or 2008 R2 instances and determine if they meet recommended best practices. It can also suggest solutions to potential issues (Best Thing).
One of the most useful tools for SQL Server 2005 was the SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer (BPA). Best Practices were produced for SQL Server 2008 Policy Based Management, yet there was still demand for a a standalone version of BPA.
The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 BPA, published on June/18/2010, is a diagnostic tool that performs the following functions:
- Gathers information about a Server and a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or 2008 R2 instance installed on that Server
- Determines if the configurations are set according to the recommended best practices
- Reports on all configurations, indicating settings that differ from recommendations
- Indicates potential problems in the installed instance of SQL Server
- Recommends solutions to potential problems
The utility encompasses rules for:
- SQL Server Database Engine
- Replication
- Analysis Services
- Reporting Services
- Integration Services
- Setup
OS support includes:
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Vista
- Windows 7
The tool can be run against servers locally or remotely, using a GUI or Command Line.
You can download it here from the Microsoft Download Center.
