Does the perfect SQL Server exist? And what would that even look like? Let’s think about it for a moment. If the perfect SQL Server exists, it would be flawlessly tuned for its workload. It would have the ideal amount of hardware resources, and its settings would be perfectly optimized. The perfect SQL Server would…
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SQL Server is designed to efficiently manage memory on its own. It requests memory when it’s needed and releases memory back to the system when it’s not. However, the default settings may not be ideal for your situation. An experienced database administrator will usually fine-tune these settings to optimize performance and server stability. Minimum server…
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Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server is worth considering for organizations looking to unify their database management and capitalize on cloud-native features while still keeping their data on-premises. Azure Arc is a set of technologies from Microsoft that extends Azure management and services to any infrastructure, including other clouds, on-premises, and edge. This enables you to manage…
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“So, I’ve heard that SQL Server 2016 Extended Support expires on July 14, 2026. That doesn’t sound like a good thing, but what exactly does it mean? Can I still use my SQL Server, or do I have to upgrade? And what’s the difference between Mainstream and Extended Support anyway?” That’s a pretty common question.…
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With the explosion of AI and ever-increasing awareness of the importance of data, the term “data governance” seems to be everywhere these days. We hear it used in different contexts, and it may seem to equate to regulatory compliance or to have relevance for only the largest companies. This interpretation misses a key benefit of…
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Editor’s note: This webinar has passed, but click here to access a recording of the event. This insightful webinar digs into the critical realm of data governance for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) with Natasha Collins, Database Consultant at The SERO Group. Discover how overlooking data quality and integrity can cost your company dearly, from…
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For years, I’ve recommended data and log files reside on separate drives for performance reasons. But given today’s flash arrays, virtualization, and much of the storage subsystem being abstracted, is separating data and log files still important? Short answer: yes, it should be, but don’t stop there. Long answer: it depends. You should review multiple…
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In my last post, I broke down the parts of the anatomy of the SQL Server transaction log. In this post, I will share a few tips for keeping your transaction logs well-maintained and your SQL Server databases happy and healthy. Here are 7 important tips for managing your transaction logs: Now, let’s break these…
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As a DBA, one of the most critical aspects of managing SQL Server is ensuring the integrity and reliability of database backups. SQL Server’s native backup functionalities offer robust tools for securing your data, particularly for databases utilizing the full recovery model. However, mixing SQL Server native backups with disk or VM snapshots can lead…
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“Should I Use VM Snapshots to Backup SQL Server?” Like so many SQL Server related questions, the answer is “It depends.” However, most often the ultimate answer will be no. And, in this upcoming webinar we’ll share 8 questions you should ask before using VM snapshots as your approach to backing up SQL Server. RTO…
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