Tag: Microsoft Azure

Accelerated Database Recovery SQL Server

An Overview of Accelerated Database Recovery

SQL Server has had a number of really wonderful new features over the last several releases. One of those features is Accelerated Database Recovery. This enhancement has received some coverage in the community and I want to make my own contribution to promoting this feature. What is Accelerated Database Recovery? Accelerated Database Recovery (ADR) came…
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sql server low disk space alerts

How to Use VSSADMIN Commands To Manage Low Disk Space

Low disk space alerts are a common occurrence in I.T. For SQL Server consultants, there could be a few causes: This last scenario related to volume shadow service is what I want to talk about today. This one can be a little confusing at first because your organization may get a low disk space alert…
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IT decisions

Why Quiet Reflection Leads to Better IT Strategy Decisions

Last Saturday, I woke up before dawn to a quiet house. My family was still asleep, as I’m the only morning person in our household. The Christmas tree lights cast a warm glow across the room, and I was alone with my thoughts and a hot cup of coffee. No urgent emails, no fire drills,…
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Undermanaged SQL Servers can lead to frustration for both your customers and your team.

The Costs of Undermanaged SQL Servers for Financial Institutions

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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How to Build SQL Server FCIs in AWS with Multi-Attach EBS Volumes

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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Basic Availability Groups: Affordable High Availability with Key Limitations

Basic Availability Groups: Affordable High Availability with Key Limitations

In SQL Server 2022, Basic Availability Groups provide a limited, cost-effective solution for high availability and disaster recovery in the Standard Edition. However, they have several limitations when compared to a standard Availability Group in the Enterprise Edition. Although Basic AGs were introduced before SQL Server 2022, we’ll focus strictly on the latest version. Let’s…
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Reducing Business Risks for a SQL Server Estate

Reducing Business Risks for a SQL Server Estate

Your SQL Servers are the backbone of your company’s data operations. They power critical applications and store valuable information. They enable financial decisions, undergird operational activities, and support your sales processes. But what happens if there’s a problem? What happens when data is lost or corrupted? Or if one of your key systems is down…
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Which Data Role Do You Need?

What’s in a Job Title? Understanding Changing Data Roles

The world of data is rapidly evolving, and the demand for skilled data professionals has continued to rise. But who are these data professionals? Those of us in the field have been asked many times about the nature of what we do. Students and prospective career changers, hiring managers, business partners, and prospective clients all…
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Check your SQL Server's code compatibility with Azure so you don't step in it.

Is your SQL Server Code Ready for Azure?

I recently had a discussion with a client that turned to the question of SQL Server code compatibility with Azure SQL Database. We were designing a new pipeline for their on-premises SQL environment, and they mentioned their abandoned cloud migration effort from a few years earlier. The business ended up pausing this effort because of…
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High availability options--which one should you choose?

Availability Groups: What’s Right for Your Business?

I’ve had several companies inquire about SQL Server’s built-in high availability options over the years. This conversation usually indicates a need to ensure that their database systems remain operational and accessible with minimal downtime. But why now? They’ve been in business for years and are just now interested in HA/DR. What changed? Reasons vary, but…
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