Microsoft just released a non-commercial, non-supported tool to stress test I/O subsystems.SQLIO states for “SQL SERVER I/O GENERATION PROGRAM ” and in fact it simulates a typical SQL I/O workload.
Together with the MSI package you’ll receive a raw how-to for SAN and DAS configurations, but you can use SQLIO to benchmark any kind of system.
I usually don’t post any news about benchmarking tools but this one comes directly from MS and could be really useful to benckmark and fine tune your Microsoft Virtual Server or VMare GSX Server environments.
Grab it for free here.