Automated Index Defrag Script
UPDATE: This script has been significantly updated. Please view the latest version at http://sqlfool.com/2011/06/index-defrag-script-v4-1/.
So after much delay, here’s the latest and greatest version of my index defrag script.
A summary of the changes:
- Added support for centralized execution. Option to defrag indexes for a single database from another database, or for all non-system databases.
- Consolidated Enterprise and Standard versions of the script with new @editionCheck variable.
- Added parametrization for MaxDop restrictions during rebuilds; validates that the value does not exceed the actual number of processors on the server.
- Changed minimum fragmentation default value from 10 to 5 to match BOL recommendations.
- Limited defrags to objects with more than 8 pages.
- Added a debug option to give a little more insight into what’s happening and to assist with troubleshooting.
- Updated logic for handling partitions and LOBs.
And a couple of notes and explanations:
Don’t you know you can just pass NULL to sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats for the DatabaseID?
Yes, I realize you can do this. But I don’t want to defrag the system databases, i.e. tempdb, so I opted to handle it this way instead.
How long will this take?
It depends. I don’t necessarily recommend running it without specifying a database; at least, not unmonitored. You *can* do that, but it could take a while. For example, to run sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats for all databases and tables, totaling 2TB, took me 4.5 hours; that doesn’t even count the actual defrags.
Where should I put this?
It’s up to you. If you have a database for items like centralized maintenance or scratch tables, that may be a good place for it. If you prefer, you could also put this in each individual database and call it locally, too. I would not put this in the master or msdb databases.
This is pretty close to a complete rewrite, so please let me know if you encounter any bugs. And now… the code!
If Not Exists(Select [object_id] From sys.tables Where name = N'dba_indexDefragLog') Begin -- Drop Table dbo.dba_indexDefragLog Create Table dbo.dba_indexDefragLog ( indexDefrag_id int identity(1,1) Not Null , databaseID int Not Null , databaseName nvarchar(128) Not Null , objectID int Not Null , objectName nvarchar(128) Not Null , indexID int Not Null , indexName nvarchar(128) Not Null , partitionNumber smallint Not Null , fragmentation float Not Null , page_count int Not Null , dateTimeStart datetime Not Null , durationSeconds int Not Null Constraint PK_indexDefragLog Primary Key Clustered (indexDefrag_id) ) Print 'dba_indexDefragLog Table Created'; End If ObjectProperty(Object_ID('dbo.dba_indexDefrag_sp'), N'IsProcedure') = 1 Begin Drop Procedure dbo.dba_indexDefrag_sp; Print 'Procedure dba_indexDefrag_sp dropped'; End; Go Create Procedure dbo.dba_indexDefrag_sp /* Declare Parameters */ @minFragmentation float = 5.0 /* in percent, will not defrag if fragmentation less than specified */ , @rebuildThreshold float = 30.0 /* in percent, greater than @rebuildThreshold will result in rebuild instead of reorg */ , @executeSQL bit = 1 /* 1 = execute; 0 = print command only */ , @database varchar(128) = Null /* Option to specify a database name; null will return all */ , @tableName varchar(4000) = Null -- databaseName.schema.tableName /* Option to specify a table name; null will return all */ , @onlineRebuild bit = 1 /* 1 = online rebuild; 0 = offline rebuild; only in Enterprise */ , @maxDopRestriction tinyint = Null /* Option to restrict the number of processors for the operation; only in Enterprise */ , @printCommands bit = 0 /* 1 = print commands; 0 = do not print commands */ , @printFragmentation bit = 0 /* 1 = print fragmentation prior to defrag; 0 = do not print */ , @defragDelay char(8) = '00:00:05' /* time to wait between defrag commands */ , @debugMode bit = 0 /* display some useful comments to help determine if/where issues occur */ As /********************************************************************************* Name: dba_indexDefrag_sp Author: Michelle Ufford, http://sqlfool.com Purpose: Defrags all indexes for one or more databases Notes: CAUTION: TRANSACTION LOG SIZE MUST BE MONITORED CLOSELY WHEN DEFRAGMENTING. @minFragmentation defaulted to 10%, will not defrag if fragmentation is less than that @rebuildThreshold defaulted to 30% as recommended by Microsoft in BOL; greater than 30% will result in rebuild instead @executeSQL 1 = execute the SQL generated by this proc; 0 = print command only @database Optional, specify specific database name to defrag; If not specified, all non-system databases will be defragged. @tableName Specify if you only want to defrag indexes for a specific table, format = databaseName.schema.tableName; if not specified, all tables will be defragged. @onlineRebuild 1 = online rebuild; 0 = offline rebuild @maxDopRestriction Option to specify a processor limit for index rebuilds @printCommands 1 = print commands to screen; 0 = do not print commands @printFragmentation 1 = print fragmentation to screen; 0 = do not print fragmentation @defragDelay time to wait between defrag commands; gives the server a little time to catch up @debugMode 1 = display debug comments; helps with troubleshooting 0 = do not display debug comments Called by: SQL Agent Job or DBA Date Initials Description ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2008-10-27 MFU Initial Release for public consumption 2008-11-17 MFU Added page-count to log table , added @printFragmentation option 2009-03-17 MFU Provided support for centralized execution, , consolidated Enterprise & Standard versions , added @debugMode, @maxDopRestriction , modified LOB and partition logic ********************************************************************************* Exec dbo.dba_indexDefrag_sp @executeSQL = 0 , @minFragmentation = 80 , @printCommands = 1 , @debugMode = 1 , @printFragmentation = 1 , @database = 'AdventureWorks' , @tableName = 'AdventureWorks.Sales.SalesOrderDetail'; *********************************************************************************/ Set NoCount On; Set XACT_Abort On; Set Quoted_Identifier On; Begin If @debugMode = 1 RaisError('Dusting off the spiderwebs and starting up...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Declare our variables */ Declare @objectID int , @databaseID int , @databaseName nvarchar(128) , @indexID int , @partitionCount bigint , @schemaName nvarchar(128) , @objectName nvarchar(128) , @indexName nvarchar(128) , @partitionNumber smallint , @partitions smallint , @fragmentation float , @pageCount int , @sqlCommand nvarchar(4000) , @rebuildCommand nvarchar(200) , @dateTimeStart datetime , @dateTimeEnd datetime , @containsLOB bit , @editionCheck bit , @debugMessage varchar(128) , @updateSQL nvarchar(4000) , @partitionSQL nvarchar(4000) , @partitionSQL_Param nvarchar(1000) , @LOB_SQL nvarchar(4000) , @LOB_SQL_Param nvarchar(1000); /* Create our temporary tables */ Create Table #indexDefragList ( databaseID int , databaseName nvarchar(128) , objectID int , indexID int , partitionNumber smallint , fragmentation float , page_count int , defragStatus bit , schemaName nvarchar(128) Null , objectName nvarchar(128) Null , indexName nvarchar(128) Null ); Create Table #databaseList ( databaseID int , databaseName varchar(128) ); Create Table #processor ( [index] int , Name varchar(128) , Internal_Value int , Character_Value int ); If @debugMode = 1 RaisError('Beginning validation...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Just a little validation... */ If @minFragmentation Not Between 0.00 And 100.0 Set @minFragmentation = 5.0; If @rebuildThreshold Not Between 0.00 And 100.0 Set @rebuildThreshold = 30.0; If @defragDelay Not Like '00:[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]' Set @defragDelay = '00:00:05'; /* Make sure we're not exceeding the number of processors we have available */ Insert Into #processor Execute xp_msver 'ProcessorCount'; If @maxDopRestriction Is Not Null And @maxDopRestriction > (Select Internal_Value From #processor) Select @maxDopRestriction = Internal_Value From #processor; /* Check our server version; 1804890536 = Enterprise, 610778273 = Enterprise Evaluation, -2117995310 = Developer */ If (Select ServerProperty('EditionID')) In (1804890536, 610778273, -2117995310) Set @editionCheck = 1 -- supports online rebuilds Else Set @editionCheck = 0; -- does not support online rebuilds If @debugMode = 1 RaisError('Grabbing a list of our databases...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Retrieve the list of databases to investigate */ Insert Into #databaseList Select database_id , name From sys.databases Where name = IsNull(@database, name) And database_id > 4 -- exclude system databases And [state] = 0; -- state must be ONLINE If @debugMode = 1 RaisError('Looping through our list of databases and checking for fragmentation...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Loop through our list of databases */ While (Select Count(*) From #databaseList) > 0 Begin Select Top 1 @databaseID = databaseID From #databaseList; Select @debugMessage = ' working on ' + DB_Name(@databaseID) + '...'; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(@debugMessage, 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Determine which indexes to defrag using our user-defined parameters */ Insert Into #indexDefragList Select database_id As databaseID , QuoteName(DB_Name(database_id)) As 'databaseName' , [object_id] As objectID , index_id As indexID , partition_number As partitionNumber , avg_fragmentation_in_percent As fragmentation , page_count , 0 As 'defragStatus' /* 0 = unprocessed, 1 = processed */ , Null As 'schemaName' , Null As 'objectName' , Null As 'indexName' From sys.dm_db_index_physical_stats (@databaseID, Object_Id(@tableName), Null , Null, N'Limited') Where avg_fragmentation_in_percent >= @minFragmentation And index_id > 0 -- ignore heaps And page_count > 8 -- ignore objects with less than 1 extent Option (MaxDop 1); Delete From #databaseList Where databaseID = @databaseID; End Create Clustered Index CIX_temp_indexDefragList On #indexDefragList(databaseID, objectID, indexID, partitionNumber); Select @debugMessage = 'Looping through our list... there''s ' + Cast(Count(*) As varchar(10)) + ' indexes to defrag!' From #indexDefragList; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(@debugMessage, 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Begin our loop for defragging */ While (Select Count(*) From #indexDefragList Where defragStatus = 0) > 0 Begin If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Picking an index to beat into shape...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Grab the most fragmented index first to defrag */ Select Top 1 @objectID = objectID , @indexID = indexID , @databaseID = databaseID , @databaseName = databaseName , @fragmentation = fragmentation , @partitionNumber = partitionNumber , @pageCount = page_count From #indexDefragList Where defragStatus = 0 Order By fragmentation Desc; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Looking up the specifics for our index...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Look up index information */ Select @updateSQL = N'Update idl Set schemaName = QuoteName(s.name) , objectName = QuoteName(o.name) , indexName = QuoteName(i.name) From #indexDefragList As idl Inner Join ' + @databaseName + '.sys.objects As o On idl.objectID = o.object_id Inner Join ' + @databaseName + '.sys.indexes As i On o.object_id = i.object_id Inner Join ' + @databaseName + '.sys.schemas As s On o.schema_id = s.schema_id Where o.object_id = ' + Cast(@objectID As varchar(10)) + ' And i.index_id = ' + Cast(@indexID As varchar(10)) + ' And i.type > 0 And idl.databaseID = ' + Cast(@databaseID As varchar(10)); Execute sp_executeSQL @updateSQL; /* Grab our object names */ Select @objectName = objectName , @schemaName = schemaName , @indexName = indexName From #indexDefragList Where objectID = @objectID And indexID = @indexID And databaseID = @databaseID; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Grabbing the partition count...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Determine if the index is partitioned */ Select @partitionSQL = 'Select @partitionCount_OUT = Count(*) From ' + @databaseName + '.sys.partitions Where object_id = ' + Cast(@objectID As varchar(10)) + ' And index_id = ' + Cast(@indexID As varchar(10)) + ';' , @partitionSQL_Param = '@partitionCount_OUT int OutPut'; Execute sp_executeSQL @partitionSQL, @partitionSQL_Param, @partitionCount_OUT = @partitionCount OutPut; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Seeing if there''s any LOBs to be handled...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Determine if the table contains LOBs */ Select @LOB_SQL = ' Select Top 1 @containsLOB_OUT = column_id From ' + @databaseName + '.sys.columns With (NoLock) Where [object_id] = ' + Cast(@objectID As varchar(10)) + ' And (system_type_id In (34, 35, 99) Or max_length = -1);' /* system_type_id --> 34 = image, 35 = text, 99 = ntext max_length = -1 --> varbinary(max), varchar(max), nvarchar(max), xml */ , @LOB_SQL_Param = '@containsLOB_OUT int OutPut'; Execute sp_executeSQL @LOB_SQL, @LOB_SQL_Param, @containsLOB_OUT = @containsLOB OutPut; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Building our SQL statements...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* If there's not a lot of fragmentation, or if we have a LOB, we should reorganize */ If @fragmentation < @rebuildThreshold Or @containsLOB = 1 Or @partitionCount > 1 Begin Set @sqlCommand = N'Alter Index ' + @indexName + N' On ' + @databaseName + N'.' + @schemaName + N'.' + @objectName + N' ReOrganize'; /* If our index is partitioned, we should always reorganize */ If @partitionCount > 1 Set @sqlCommand = @sqlCommand + N' Partition = ' + Cast(@partitionNumber As nvarchar(10)); End; /* If the index is heavily fragmented and doesn't contain any partitions or LOB's, rebuild it */ If @fragmentation >= @rebuildThreshold And IsNull(@containsLOB, 0) != 1 And @partitionCount <= 1 Begin /* Set online rebuild options; requires Enterprise Edition */ If @onlineRebuild = 1 And @editionCheck = 1 Set @rebuildCommand = N' Rebuild With (Online = On'; Else Set @rebuildCommand = N' Rebuild With (Online = Off'; /* Set processor restriction options; requires Enterprise Edition */ If @maxDopRestriction Is Not Null And @editionCheck = 1 Set @rebuildCommand = @rebuildCommand + N', MaxDop = ' + Cast(@maxDopRestriction As varchar(2)) + N')'; Else Set @rebuildCommand = @rebuildCommand + N')'; Set @sqlCommand = N'Alter Index ' + @indexName + N' On ' + @databaseName + N'.' + @schemaName + N'.' + @objectName + @rebuildCommand; End; /* Are we executing the SQL? If so, do it */ If @executeSQL = 1 Begin If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Executing SQL statements...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Grab the time for logging purposes */ Set @dateTimeStart = GetDate(); Execute sp_executeSQL @sqlCommand; Set @dateTimeEnd = GetDate(); /* Log our actions */ Insert Into dbo.dba_indexDefragLog ( databaseID , databaseName , objectID , objectName , indexID , indexName , partitionNumber , fragmentation , page_count , dateTimeStart , durationSeconds ) Select @databaseID , @databaseName , @objectID , @objectName , @indexID , @indexName , @partitionNumber , @fragmentation , @pageCount , @dateTimeStart , DateDiff(second, @dateTimeStart, @dateTimeEnd); /* Just a little breather for the server */ WaitFor Delay @defragDelay; /* Print if specified to do so */ If @printCommands = 1 Print N'Executed: ' + @sqlCommand; End Else /* Looks like we're not executing, just printing the commands */ Begin If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Printing SQL statements...', 0, 42) With NoWait; If @printCommands = 1 Print IsNull(@sqlCommand, 'error!'); End If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Updating our index defrag status...', 0, 42) With NoWait; /* Update our index defrag list so we know we've finished with that index */ Update #indexDefragList Set defragStatus = 1 Where databaseID = @databaseID And objectID = @objectID And indexID = @indexID And partitionNumber = @partitionNumber; End /* Do we want to output our fragmentation results? */ If @printFragmentation = 1 Begin If @debugMode = 1 RaisError(' Displaying fragmentation results...', 0, 42) With NoWait; Select databaseID , databaseName , objectID , objectName , indexID , indexName , fragmentation , page_count From #indexDefragList; End; /* When everything is said and done, make sure to get rid of our temp table */ Drop Table #indexDefragList; Drop Table #databaseList; Drop Table #processor; If @debugMode = 1 RaisError('DONE! Thank you for taking care of your indexes! :)', 0, 42) With NoWait; Set NoCount Off; Return 0 End Go
Thanks to my beta testers, @scoinva, @davidmtate, @jdanton, and @SuperCoolMoss!
Special thanks to SCM for keeping on me to finish this.
Happy Defragging!
Michelle
Source: http://sqlfool.com/2009/03/automated-index-defrag-script/
Creating a 60 GB Index
Recently, I needed to create an index on a 1.5 billion row table. I've created some large indexes before, but this was the largest, so I thought I'd share my experience in case anyone was interested.
The plan was to create the following index:
Create NonClustered Index IX_indexName_unpartitioned On databaseName.dbo.tableName(columnList) Include (includedColumnList) With (MaxDop = 1, Online = On, Sort_In_TempDB = On) On [Primary];
This is an unpartitioned, non-clustered index being built on a partitioned table. Normally, when you build an aligned partitioned index, the index creation process requires less memory and has less noticeable impact on the system, because each partition is handled individually, one at a time. But as this is an unpartitioned (unaligned) index, each partition was built concurrently, requiring more memory and causing a greater impact on performance. Because of this, I needed to restrict the process to MaxDop 1; otherwise, the server would suffer because of too much memory pressure.
I chose Sort_In_TempDB = On because:
- I'm building this index online on a very busy table and cannot afford to impact normal oeprations. By using Sort_In_TempDB = On, index transactions are separated from user transactions, allowing the user transaction log to be truncated. *
- TempDB is on a different volume and therefore should reduce the duration of the operation.
- The recovery for the user database is full, and the recovery for the TempDB is simple. Sorting in TempDB would minimize logging.
* Note: the transaction log for the user database still grew at a much faster rate than normal and had to be closely monitored during this operation to ensure enough free space remained.
The size of the indexed columns is 25 bytes. So I ran my calculations and came up with 36gb space requirement. We increased TempDB to 50gb and gave it a go. An hour later... ERROR. The process terminated because there would not be enough space free in TempDB to complete the operation. Obviously, my calculations were incorrect. After speaking with Chris Leonard, a man who is way too smart for his own good, I realized I had not included my clustered index in the size calculations. Doh.
Re-running my estimates, here's what I came up with:
| Index Size | 25 | bytes |
| Clustered Index Size | 16 | bytes |
| Records per Page | 197 | |
| Est. Rows | 1,575,000,000 | |
| Est. Number of Pages | 7,995,000 | |
| Space Requirements | 59 | GB |
Obviously, 50gb of free space just wasn't going to cut it. I decided to give TempDB a little wiggle room and bumped up the space in TempDB to 70gb (not as easy as you'd imagine, I had to requisition more space on the SAN), then re-ran the operation. Success! The process completed in 3 hours and 24 minutes. There was a mild increase in CPU, but no applications or users experienced any issues.
For those interested in the particulars: this was used for a single-record look-up and could not be filtered by the partitioning key. The non-partitioned version of this index has 80% less reads and 11% less CPU than its partitioned counterpart.
If you're interested in learning more about indexes, here's some recommended reading:



