A Peek at SQL Server

Before you create a world-class server that will run on Windows 2000, you should first examine an existing server. An excellent example is Microsoft SQL Server. We of course do not have access to the details of the implementation of SQL Server, nor do we have the source code. So, how can we gather information?

The best way is to install and configure the server because the configuration options provide insight into the design process. Notice the way the server allows clients to communicate with it. Figure 1-7 illustrates the options that are available for the client, including the ability to select communications over named pipes or TCP/IP. Although implementation differences exist between the two protocols, the server and client software mask those differences.

Figure 1-7 SQL Server options available for the client.

Also, notice that SQL Server implements a complex model for handling clients. The common models for servers are single threaded (serializing access to the server), one thread per client (appropriate for some servers with few simultaneous clients), or N-clients per thread. Figure 1-8 illustrates the SQL Server configuration screen that allows selection of the maximum number of worker threads, implying that SQL Server uses the N-threads per client model.

Figure 1-8 SQL Server configuration screen.