When a database table grows in size to the hundreds of gigabytes or more, it can become more difficult to load new data, remove old data, and maintain indexes. Just the sheer size of the table causes such operations to take much longer. Even the data that must be loaded or removed can be very sizable, making INSERT and DELETE operations on the table impractical. The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 database software provides table partitioning to make such operations more manageable.

Partitioning a large table divides the table and its indexes into smaller partitions, so that maintenance operations can be applied on a partition-by-partition basis, rather than on the entire table. In addition, the SQL Server optimizer can direct properly filtered queries to appropriate partitions rather than the entire table.

This paper covers strategies and best practices for using partitioned tables and indexes in SQL Server 2008. It is intended for database architects, developers, and administrators of both data warehouse and OLTP systems, and the material is presented at an intermediate to advanced level. For an introduction to partitioned tables, see "Partitioned Table and Index Concepts” in SQL Server 2008 Books Online at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190787.aspx.

Because this paper is very long (65 pages) reading it in an online format such as the Library becomes impractical, so we offer it as a downloadable Microsoft Word document.

Download "Partitioned Table and Index Strategies Using SQL Server 2008" white paper