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Labs

Performance Tuning and Automated Maintenance

In this lab, you'll practice performance tuning and automation for SQL Server. When you're finished, you'll have optimized database queries and implemented automated maintenance tasks.

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Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 1h 0m
Last updated
Clock icon Sep 09, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Diagnose and optimize query performance

    • Analyze graphical and text-based query execution plans to identify performance bottlenecks.
    • Apply basic T-SQL query tuning techniques, such as adding appropriate indexes or rewriting queries.
    • Use Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) to identify long-running queries and resource consumption.

  2. Challenge

    Implement and monitor automated administrative tasks

    • Configure SQL Server Agent and create a multi-step job for a recurring administrative task (for backups, for example).
    • Set up operators and alerts to receive notifications for job success or failure via Database Mail.
    • Create and schedule a comprehensive database maintenance plan for integrity checks and index optimization.

  3. Challenge

    Troubleshoot and resolve common database health issues

    • Identify and resolve database fragmentation issues through index rebuilds or reorganizations.
    • Simulate and diagnose a blocking scenario, then identify and resolve the blocking process.
    • Perform a DBCC CHECKDB command to check for database integrity and understand its output.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
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