How to know if Instant File Initialization is enabled?

Question

Besides creating a new database and timing it, is there a simple way to determine whether or not Instant File Initialization is enabled/functioning?

(on Windows Server 2008 Enterprise)

Remus Rusanu · Answer 1 · 2012-01-17T19:20:33.217

4

Using ntrights.exe, check if the SeManageVolumePrivilege priviledge is granted. IF you prefer a 'built in' tool, use secedit /export /areas USER_RIGHTS.

edited Jan 17 '12 at 19:20

answered Jan 17 '12 at 19:13

Remus Rusanu

I do prefer 'built in'. Just a FYI the secedit line you posted does not work. But this is the kind of answer I'm looking for. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:21
secedit /export /areas USER_RIGHTS /cfg foo.txt if you need a working example. I did not post that because I found the idea of a command line tool that requires an output file and does not use the stdout quite embarrassing. Pipe into grep, anyone? – Remus Rusanu Jan 17 '12 at 19:24
I agree and it's not very easy on the eyes, now that I'm looking at the file – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:25
Ugh. I have no idea how to interpret this file. Time to do some learning I guess. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:28
For what is worth, compiling your own tool that calls GetTokenInformation and asks for the TokenPrivileges class shouldn't be too hard... – Remus Rusanu Jan 17 '12 at 19:29

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 17 '12 at 18:57

3

The account under which Sql Server is RUNNING should have rights to Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks privilege.

See here:

Control Panel->Administration->Local Security Policies->Local Policies->User Rights->Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks

answered Jan 17 '12 at 18:57

Oleg Dok

I'd rather not have to do this. Isn't there an easier way. Maybe a simple command or cmdlet I can run? – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:00
@subt13 - this is the way to check. – JNK Jan 17 '12 at 19:01
@JNK - Imagine if you have to do this on 100 machines. Surely this isn't the only way :) – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:02
1

A quick google search pointed me to an article by Kendra Little. @OlegDok feel free to edit this into your answer. – Mark Storey-Smith Jan 17 '12 at 19:06
@MarkStorey-Smith - it looks like that script grants the permissions, not checks for them – JNK Jan 17 '12 at 19:14
@JNK If I was looking for a starting point for a PS script, that would do for me. – Mark Storey-Smith Jan 17 '12 at 19:24
@MarkStorey-Smith - me too, just pointing out that it's not precisely what he is asking for. – JNK Jan 17 '12 at 19:26
@MarkStorey-Smith The question is well defined is there a simple way to determine, so I presented here the simplest way, if it will be the question like is there a simple way to determine it on 100 hosts, the answer will be a little bit another 8-) And special thanks for the link! – Oleg Dok Jan 17 '12 at 19:27
@OlegDok - That's why I upvoted your answer, because it is a valid answer :) – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:49

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 17 '12 at 19:06

1

Simple SQL script involving trace flags.

answered Jan 17 '12 at 19:06

OliverAsmus

That involves creating a database. I want to avoid doing that. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:07

3 Answers3