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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“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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I’m my last post on SQL Server Setting, I discussed MAXDOP and how it can affect SQL Server performance. In this post, I’ll review another SQL Server configuration setting that can impact performance – Optimize for Ad-hoc Workloads. What is the plan cache? Every time you run a query in SQL Server, an execution plan…
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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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Recently, we discussed the role of the recovery model in establishing how SQL Server manages database transaction logs. But what is the SQL Server log composed of? How does the logging process work? In this post, we will dissect the SQL Server transaction log to uncover its core anatomy. First, what is the transaction log?…
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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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Did you know that not configuring the MAXDOP setting in SQL Server properly could cause performance problems for your queries?
“I thought the cloud was supposed to be fast. Why are things moving like a sloth?” Have you heard someone complain about the speed of an application after moving it to the Microsoft Azure? Azure is a good environment, but things are not always fast in the cloud. To illustrate, in this post, we’ll review…
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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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When we meet with clients for an initial SQL Server Health Check, we’re sometimes asked what a SQL Server recovery model is. Once explained, the natural follow up question often is: well, then which recovery model should we use? In this post, we will address both of these important questions. What is a SQL Server…
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