In previous posts, we’ve covered the more routine types of backups available within SQL Server — full, differential, and transaction log backups. While you may not use them as often, you should also be aware of tail-log backups when managing SQL Server. Tail-log backups can help in two scenarios. What is a tail-log backup? Tail-log…
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Banks and credit unions rely on SQL Server databases to power transactions, portals, reporting, fraud detection, and core systems. Despite this, many institutions end up undermanaging or even overlooking these critical systems. The result? Performance lags, security vulnerabilities, and unplanned downtime that can cost far more than most institutions realize. If you’re responsible for operational…
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If you’ve worked around database systems for long, you’ve no doubt encountered the issue of ensuring efficient storage. As your databases grow, so do your storage sizes (and costs!). Thankfully, SQL Server provides a powerful feature that can help alleviate this problem: compression. Compression in SQL Server is a feature that helps to reduce the…
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For many businesses, the availability and performance of SQL Server databases are paramount. Unplanned downtime can lead to significant financial losses, tarnished reputations, and regulatory repercussions. Understanding the costs associated with SQL Server downtime and exploring strategies to mitigate these risks is essential for those aiming to maintain operational resilience in 2025. Read on for…
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Indexes are an essential part of any SQL Server database. One of the keys to improving performance is understanding how indexes work. Indexes help speed up data retrieval, optimize query performance, and improve the overall efficiency of your database. SQL Server offers several index types, but clustered and non-clustered indexes are the most important. Understanding…
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Restoring large databases can be time-consuming, but online piecemeal restores in SQL Server Enterprise offer quicker access to data. This method allows partial restoration while keeping the primary filegroup online, minimizing downtime. Requirements include using the Enterprise edition, multiple filegroups, a full recovery model, and available log backups. Best practices enhance efficiency.
“Why is SQL Server memory usage high?” If you haven’t been asked this question, you haven’t supported SQL Server long enough. I’ve encountered managers, systems administrators, and developers who’ve wondered this. Simply put, data reads are much faster in RAM than from disks. RAM latency is typically measured in nanoseconds. By contrast, disk latency is…
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Need to build a SQL Server FCI in AWS but prefer not to use FSx for Windows File Server? Good news, you have other options. One option that more closely aligns with traditional FCIs that use shared disks is Multi-Attach EBS volumes. Multi-Attach EBS volumes in AWS enable organizations to use Windows Server Failover Clusters…
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So, your Microsoft SQL Server is showing its age, and you need to upgrade it. What’s the best approach—an in-place upgrade or a side-by-side upgrade? For many businesses, especially those in industries like healthcare or banking, where reliability, security, and performance are non-negotiable, a side-by-side SQL Server upgrade is often the smarter choice. But first,…
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Being an “Accidental DBA” is a role some IT professionals find themselves in. Whether you’re an IT generalist, a software developer, or another professional tasked with SQL Server management on top of your primary responsibilities, the role can feel daunting. From maintaining performance to ensuring security, from verifying backups to responding to problems, SQL Server…
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