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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As we ring in 2024, many are reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the future. For businesses, one resolution should stand out: recommitting to data security. The late-2023 Xfinity breach, where 36 million customers had their personal information compromised, serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. What happened?…
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SQL Server is a critical component for many businesses, and its health and performance can have a significant impact on operations. If SQL Server is having a bad day, a lot of people are having a bad day. Users, patients, loan officers, etc, and of course, IT. That’s why we recommend performing a SQL Server…
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SQL Server is being targeted again. This attack is called DB#JAMMER. And it’s targeting poorly secured SQL Servers. What’s happening? Attackers begin by brute-forcing access into poorly secured SQL Servers. Once they have gained access, the attackers use xp_cmdshell to deploy tools. They manipulate the firewall, if needed, and transfer files to and from the…
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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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If you haven’t already done so, the time has come to say goodbye. In just six short months, SQL Server 2012 Extended Support will come to an end. And although it’s been a good version, it’s 10 years old. And that’s old database in years. To put it into context, here are a few other…
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Do you schedule DBCC CHECKDB for all of your important databases? Scheduling database integrity checks ranks right up there with backing up your databases when it comes to glamorous activities in the life of a DBA. That is to say, it’s not glamorous at all. Integrity checks don’t bring the same internal swagger as say…
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Don’t sweat the small stuff, they say. That’s good advice. Much of the time. But with SQL Server, the small stuff is worth sweating. In fact, the small stuff can be big. Letting the small stuff go In life, the small stuff can weigh you down. Worrying about things that don’t really matter can strip…
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In Getting Started with SQL Server in a Docker Container, I shared my SQL Server Docker container configuration. I described how to copy database backup files from your host to the container and then restore them in the container. That’s my usual approach. But what if you wanted the database to reside on the host…
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You’ve probably heard of running SQL Server in a Docker container. The technology has been around for some years now. However it’s still unexplored territory for many. A SQL Server Docker container image is a lightweight and standalone package that includes everything needed to run SQL Server. It’s often used in DevOps as part of…
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