One 400GB table, One query - Need Tuning Ideas (SQL2005)

Question

I have a single large table which I would like to optimize. I\'m using MS-SQL 2005 server. I\'ll try to describe how it is used and if anyone has any suggestions I would appreci

Answer 1

You need to create an index which will reduce the number of possible rows returned as quickly as possible.

Therefore the simplest index to create would be on column k4, as that can have to highest number of different values. It is only necessary to index the initial substring of k4 where the expected values of k4 differ within that substring. This will reduce the size of the index, and speed up access.

k7 should also be indexed as this will greatly increase the speed of the orderby clause.

You may also need to experiment (I know, I know, you said don't experiment, but this may help...) with creating a multiple column index in this order: k4, k1, k2, k3. This, again, is to reduce the number of possible rows returned as quickly as possible.