File growth options
What is SQL Server Database Autogrowth setting?
It’s a procedure used by the SQL Server engine to expand the database size when all its space runs out.
If the auto-growth setting for a database is not set correctly, the database may experience various or few auto-grow events.
By the way, this check is a part of our SQL Server Health Check service.
When SQL Server has to grow a file, all transactions stop. They wait until file growth operation is complete to continue.
These events can introduce unpredictable hits in performance at random times (especially if disks are performing slow).
How do I configure the settings?
A good practice is to change all database file growth options by large enough MB value instead of a percentage value or low number such as 1MB.
You can use the query below to generate a change script:
- Change the growth increment [XXX] that must be large enough to avoid performance penalties.
SELECT 'ALTER DATABASE [' + db_name(s.database_id) + ']
MODIFY FILE ( NAME = N''' + s.name + ''', FILEGROWTH = XXXMB)' as ToExecute
FROM sys.master_files sINNER JOIN sys.databases db ON s.database_id = db.database_idwhere (s.is_percent_growth = 1or s.growth * 8.0 / 1024 < 10)and db.state_desc = 'online'
ORDER BY s.database_id
The exact value to use in your configuration setting and the choice between a percentage growth and a specific MB size growth depends on many factors in your environment.
Microsoft’s best practices general rule for testing is to set your autogrow setting to about one-eighth the size of the file.
More information
Microsoft – Considerations for the “autogrow” and “autoshrink” settings in SQL Server
One Response
Hi Jose,
Thanks for your information.
Could you please explain
Standard Value of Auto growth DATA and Log File Size.
and also Initial Size