Sean, > The SGML docs aren't in the DBA's face and are way out of the way for > DBAs rolling out a new system or who are tuning the system. SGML == > Developer, conf == DBA.
That's exactly my point. We cannot provide enough documentation in the CONF file without septupling its length. IF we remove all commentary, and instead provide a pointer to the documentation, more DBAs will read it. > Some of those parameters are based on > hardware constraints and should be pooled and organized as such. > > random_page_cost == > avg cost of a random disk seek/read (eg: disk seek time) == > constant integer for a given piece of hardware But, you see, this is exactly what I'm talking about. random_page_cost isn't static to a specific piece of hardware ... it depends as well on what else is on the disk/array, concurrent disk activity, disk controller settings, filesystem, OS, distribution of records and tables, and arrangment of the partitions on disk. One can certainly get a "good enough" value by benchmarking the disk's random seek and calculating based on that ... but to get an "ideal" value requires a long interactive session by someone with experience and in-depth knowledge of the machine and database. > There are other settings that are RAM based as well, which should be > formulaic and derived though a formula hasn't been defined to date. You seem pretty passionate about this ... how about you help me an Kevin define a benchmarking suite when I get back into the country (July 17)? If we're going to define formulas, it requires that we have a near-comprehensive and consistent test database and test battery that we can run on a variety of machines and platforms. -- -Josh Berkus ______AGLIO DATABASE SOLUTIONS___________________________ Josh Berkus Complete information technology [EMAIL PROTECTED] and data management solutions (415) 565-7293 for law firms, small businesses fax 621-2533 and non-profit organizations. San Francisco ---------------------------(end of broadcast)--------------------------- TIP 8: explain analyze is your friend