Jeremiah Peschka

SQL Server Internals slide deck

Online Resources

The SQL Server Cost Based Optimizer – All about the CBO

Anatomy of a Record – How rows are stored on disk

Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2005 – A thorough white paper about troubleshooting performance and internals – still a valid document today.

SQL Server 2005 Waits and Queues

Books

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Internals (Pro – Developer)

Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting

SQL Server 2005 Practical Troubleshooting: The Database Engine