Each year Redgate runs a survey to determine the state of database monitoring. This year, instead of one large report, we are publishing four insight reports, each on a different topic. The first came out this month: The real-world challenges of growing server estates. The respondents reported several trends: DBAs are managing more instances than … Read more
Extended Events have been part of SQL Server since 2008. In this article, Ed Pollack explains the building blocks of Extended Events data collection.… Read more
Microsoft provides many ways to run SQL Server in Azure, but which do you choose? In this article, Robert Sheldon explains the Azure SQL options.… Read more
SQL Server perfmon counters provide a wealth of information about performance. In this article, Fabiano Amorim shows how current wisdom about one counter, SQL Compilations/sec, can sometimes be misleading.… Read more
Instant file initialization can speed up database creation, file growth, and restores. Greg Larsen explains how to configure it and how it works.… Read more
It was always important to me to keep up with the latest versions of SQL Server, but especially so when I was a database administrator or consultant. I wasn’t always able to work with the new versions right away in production, but at least I had an idea about features, capabilities, and benefits. Fifteen years … Read more
Monitoring SQL Server for performance is a critical part of a DBA’s job. In this article, Edward Pollack explains some of the SQL Server performance monitor data and how to collect it.… Read more
The ability to scale up and down without maintaining extra hardware is one of the best cloud computing features. In this article, Mahendran Purushothaman explains autoscaling in Microsoft Azure.… Read more
To be efficient and save money, many organizations are looking at hyperconverged infrastructures for SQL Server. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains what to consider for SQL Server and hyperconvergence.… Read more
The transaction log file for a SQL Server database critical for for maintaining database integrity. In this article, Greg Larsen explains SQL Server transaction log architecture.… Read more
SQL Server performance tuning can seem overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. In this article Robert Sheldon explains 9 best practices for performance tuning. … Read more
DBAs must make sure data is highly available, and there are many SQL Server high availability options. Pamela Mooney discusses those options in this article.… Read more
Someone recently asked me which queries are ad hoc in SQL Server. An ad hoc query is a single query not included in a stored procedure and not parameterized or prepared. Depending on the server settings, SQL Server can parameterize some statements initially written as ad hoc queries. Ad hoc doesn’t mean dynamic. Here’s a … Read more
Edward Pollack demonstrates how SQL Server plan cache mining can uncover a wealth of information to help with troubleshooting performance issues. … Read more
When I was a DBA responsible for 40 to 50 SQL Server instances, I didn’t have many third-party tools to help me do my job. I remember that I was able to buy a tool to compress database backups before that functionality was built into SQL Server. I also had a handful of licenses for … Read more
In this article of the series, Pamela Mooney explains the architecture of SQL Server under the hood, including some query anti-patterns to avoid.… Read more
SQL Server triggers are another tool in your DBA or Dev toolbox. Edward Pollack explains what can go wrong with triggers and how to correct those issues.… Read more
Compliant Database DevOps
Standardize team-based development
Automate database deployments
Monitor performance and availability
Protect and preserve data
