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19 BP1062 | Best Practices for Decision Support Systems with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 using Dell EqualLogic PS Series
Storage Arrays
6.2.2 Number of partitions and volumes
This test evaluated the performance gains of using more volumes by having more table partitions in each
volume. The l_shipdate column in the LineItem table had years ranging from 1992 to 1998. Two table
partition test studies were performed.
• Four partitions - Placing the data for every two years in a partition.
• Eight partitions- Placing the data for every year in a partition.
For the test studies with four partitions, the LineItem table was divided into four filegroups and each
filegroup had its own data file placed in a separate volume. For the test studies with eight partitions, the
LineItem table was divided into eight filegroups and each filegroup had its own data file placed in a
separate volume. Refer to Table 3 for volume layout details and Figure 6 for a visual representation of the
volume layout.