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SQL Server looking up and out.

Looking “Up and Out” and “Down and In”

Halfway through my morning walk, I look up and see this amazing view. No filter needed. It was naturally stunning. I just stood there a moment soaking in the majesty of the view. The wisp of the clouds, the vibrancy of the colors, the reflection of the water. It was beautiful. And I almost missed…
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What’s Causing SQL Server Performance Issues?

“I bought some instant water one time but I didn’t know what to add to it.” – Steven Wright, comedian. I’ve always like Steven Wright‘s dry sense of humor and comedic timing. He’s got a lot of other great quotes similar to this one. Ok. But how does this relate to SQL Server? What’s really…
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SQL Server performance tuning OODA loop

SQL Server Performance Tuning and the OODA Loop

Users are complaining. One of your SQL Servers is not just slow, but slooooooooooooooooowwwwwww. A 6-syllable slow. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had SQL Servers that are underperforming. But where do you start with performance tuning? Let’s look to a proven approach for decision-making and troubleshooting as our guide – the OODA Loop. The…
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SQL Server Health Check and Monitoring

Do I Still Need a SQL Server Health Check?

“My SQL Server hasn’t had any problems. It just works. Do I still need a SQL Server Health Check?” The TL;DR answer is yes, it’s good to check on your SQL Server regularly. SQL Server just works, but… The SQL Server development team has done a great job. They’ve created a database platform that is…
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sql server performance tuning

How Do Implicit Type Conversions Affect SQL Queries?

Let’s have a look at implicit type conversions and how they can affect SQL Server’s performance. What are type conversions? Let’s start with the basics. What are data type conversions? (If you’re well-versed in this, feel free to skip ahead a bit.) SQL Server works with different types of data. It works with numbers, character…
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try sql server 2022 new features

Use a Docker Container to Explore SQL Server 2022’s New Features

There’s a lot of hype surrounding the next version of SQL Server. And for good reason. SQL Server 2022 is packed with some long awaited niceties, improvements, and enhancements. Here are a few of the SQL Server 2022’s new features we are excited about. Contained Availability Groups Enhancements to Availability Groups and Distributed Availability Groups…
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training for sql server disaster recovery

Rainy days, backpacking, and SQL Server Disaster Recovery.

What do rainy days, backpacking, and SQL Server Disaster Recovery have in common? Over the past several years I’ve been section hiking the Appalachian Trail. For my first trip, I started at the southern terminus, Springer Mountain, Georgia, and hiked northbound for 137 miles to Nantahala, North Carolina. It took just over a week. Each…
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tuning sql server

Infographic: 5 Commonly Overlooked SQL Server Settings

When we examine SQL Servers as part of our SEROShield SQL Server Health Check, we find five commonly overlooked SQL Server settings that can put performance, reliability, and even data at risk. Why are SQL Servers often misconfigured? SQL Server is robust. Microsoft has put a lot of effort into creating a database platform that…
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Routines Help Create a Healthy SQL Server

The moon over my morning walk today. It was bright and beautiful. And under its glow, I realized that my morning walks have become an important routine for me. They are important for my physical and emotional health. They help start the day off on the right foot, so to speak. Similarly, routines are instrumental…
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sql servers are like avocados

SQL Servers Are Like Avocados

I sliced into an avocado while making lunch recently. The size of the seed compared to the fruit was shocking! It was huge. There was only a thin layer of fruit surrounding a large, bulbous seed. Interestingly, some avocados are just the opposite – the seed is tiny compared to the amount of fruit inside.…
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