How will I know when I need an additional SQL server and the server limitations for NPM?

Question

I have the SLX license for NPM. I have seen the requirements for the SQL server, but I need to know what are the limitations of a SQL server for NPM. Is there a set maximum for the database? How will I know when to add an additional server? I do not have a DBA at this time.

mesverrum · Answer

The most common bottleneck is disk performance,  so keep an eye on your disk queue length and latency.  An ideal sql server splits the logs and data and tempdb to separate drives with separate queues. If the queue gets long then users are waiting, but ultimately it can only do what your storage is set up to do and that varies WIDELY from company to company.

mesverrum · Answer

The database doesn't scale horizontally,  so you don't plan on adding extra servers,  just increase the capacity of the server you have.  For reference I have 10000 nodes,  200000 interfaces and run it on a sql server with 8 cpu and 200 gb ram.  We had more ram before but I experimented for a while and found this was enough to accommodate what we need without giving excessive resources,  but your situation may vary depending which modules you have and how you use them.