Have All Unnecessary Network Protocols Been Turned Off?
Generally, the only network protocol you need is TCP/IP for your server if you are only running SQL Server on it. Removing unnecessary network protocols on your SQL Servers helps by reducing the load on the server and by reducing unnecessary network traffic.
Is Antivirus or Antispyware Software Being Used?
Real-time antivirus and antispyware software creates a big resource hog for SQL Server, and is not recommended on production SQL Servers, especially clusters.
If you are worried about viruses or spyware, you can do remote scanning against your SQL Servers on a daily basis, preferably during off hours.
Now What?
Your goal should be to perform this part of the performance audit, described on this page, for each of your SQL Servers, and then use this information to make appropriate changes, assuming you can.
Once you have completed this part of the performance audit, you are now ready to audit your SQL Server’s configuration.
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