Tag: SQL Audit

SQL Server upgrade time

End of Mainstream Support for SQL Server 2016

The end of Mainstream Support. Is that really as dire as it sounds? Because it sounds like I’ll be completely on my own. No support. At least no “mainstream” support, whatever that means. What happens if something goes wrong?

SQL Server views and their performance

How do Views Affect SQL Server Performance?

Views in SQL Server are really just queries that have been given a name so that they can be referenced as if they are tables. This can be convenient, especially for code reuse. However, it can also have some unanticipated consequences. Let’s look at an example. Let’s consider the affect joining two views can have…
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sql server backup files are needed

How Often Should I Test My SQL Server Backups?

“People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole!” In the world of databases, stakeholders don’t care about SQL backups. They care about the ability to restore a SQL database.

CIO dreading SQL licensing costs.

Do I Really Need SQL Server Enterprise Edition?

“Do I really need the SQL Server Enterprise Edition license? Or will SQL Server Standard Edition work for us?” That’s a question most every CFO, CIO, VP, and Director with a SQL Server environment and budgetary responsibilities has asked. The reason is obvious. SQL Server Enterprise Edition is expensive. How expensive? According to Microsoft’s web…
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Stop doubting your sql server environment

Five Goals for Your SQL Servers in the New Year

We’ve made it! The start of a new year. Now is a great time to reflect on what you’d like to accomplish over the next 12 months at work, and more specifically, what you would like to do with your SQL Server environment this year. To help with that, here are five activities or goals…
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Who Owners Your SQL Server Database and how to change it

Who’s the SQL Server Database Owner and How Can You Change It?

In SQL Server, when someone creates a database, they own it. That means they have elevated permissions on the database. The SQL Server database owner can change configuration parameters, perform maintenance, and grant permissions on the database to other users. The database owner can even drop the database altogether. In highly secure environments (and what…
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Restrict access to secure your SQL Servers

Securing Your SQL Servers, What Should You Audit?

Securing and protecting your SQL Servers from the ever present threats of data breaches, ransomware, and even accidental data losses due to errant code or faulty systems is crucial. It’s one of the core responsibilities of a DBA. It would be great if there was a one-size fits all approach to data protection – one…
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CHECKDB is a critical for Database Integrity

When Was the Last Known Good DBCC CHECKDB Integrity Check?

Fortunately, DBCC CHECKDB will log each time it completes without finding any errors or corruption in the database. That’s known as the Last Known Good date. Let’s look at three ways you determine the Last Known Good date. We’ll use a T-SQL query, a PowerShell command with dbatools, and the SQL Server Logs via Management Studio.

Let's count the number of SQL Server tempdb files I have

3 Ways to Find Your SQL Server tempdb Data Files

Checking the number of tempdb data files is straightforward. Here are three easy ways: one graphical, one T-SQL, and one PowerShell, so you can use your tools of choice.

Avoid working without a net; implement a SQL Server HADR option

High Availability and Disaster Recovery in SQL Server

We’re often asked about SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) options to help customers protect their data and improve their uptime. No surprise there. When a SQL Server provides a critical component of your daily operations you need those databases to be available. Simply put, when a user needs information from the database…
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