This guide explores Distributed Network Names (DNNs) for managing AlwaysOn Availability Groups on Azure SQL Server VMs. It explains how DNNs differ from Virtual Network Names (VNNs), highlights the benefits of DNNs (simplified configuration, enhanced flexibility, improved availability), and provides a step-by-step walkthrough for setting up a DNN listener using PowerShell.
Author: Yvonne Vanslageren
Navigating the Changes in SQL Server 2022: A Guide to Server Alias Configuration
If you’re embarking on a fresh installation of SQL Server 2022, you might be in for a surprise. Gone are the familiar days of the SQL Server Native Client being a core component of SQL Server installations. This blog post will discuss the recent changes in SQL Server 2022 and how to navigate server alias configuration in this new landscape.
Understanding Availability Group Synchronization in SQL Server
A fundamental aspect of managing Availability Groups is understanding how data synchronization occurs between the primary and secondary replicas within the group. This process ensures that all replicas are up-to-date, reflecting changes made in the primary database across all secondary databases in the group. Let’s look into how this synchronization works and the importance of the ‘redo’ operation in maintaining data consistency.
Flow Control in Availability Groups and SQL Server 2022 Enhancements
SQL Server’s flow control in Availability Groups ensures optimal resource usage by managing log message distribution, thus safeguarding system performance. This mechanism operates seamlessly without compromising replica synchronization, with monitoring options available for detailed analysis. The latest iteration in SQL Server 2022 further refines flow control, enhancing the database’s efficiency and stability.
Optimizing SQL Server with the Tuple Mover and Columnstore Indexes
SQL Server’s performance and efficiency hinge on its ability to manage and store data effectively. At the heart of this capability are Columnstore Indexes and the Tuple Mover, a duo that works together to ensure data is stored efficiently, making it readily accessible for fast query execution. This post takes a look into the interplay between Columnstore Indexes and the Tuple Mover, highlighting the operational details and the impact of recent enhancements introduced in SQL Server 2019.
Preventing Page Splits with Optimal Fill Factor Settings
The SQL Server Fill Factor is a setting that can be applied to indexes, which determines the amount of space to leave empty within the index pages. This setting is crucial for managing how densely SQL Server stores the index data on each page. It’s primarily used to improve performance and reduce page splits during insert or update operations that modify the index. The Fill Factor is specified as a percentage value.
Enhancing Data Durability with SQL Server’s REQUIRED SYNCHRONIZED SECONDARIES TO COMMIT Feature
SQL Server 2017 marked a significant advancement in high availability architectures by introducing the REQUIRED_SYNCHRONIZED_SECONDARIES_TO_COMMIT setting. This feature enhances data protection and integrity within Availability Groups (AGs) by meticulously controlling the transaction commit process across replicas. Its role has continued to be pivotal in subsequent releases, including SQL Server 2022, showcasing Microsoft’s commitment to robust data protection mechanisms.
SQL Server Performance Tuning: Dealing with Last Page Contention
Last Page Insert Contention, commonly referred to as “last page contention,” is a specific type of contention in SQL Server related to the last page of an index, typically a clustered index. This happens because SQL Server uses a mechanism where multiple sessions try to insert records on the last page of an index, leading to contention.
Ensuring Continuous Data Capture in SQL Server Across Failovers
Discover how to configure Change Data Capture (CDC) in SQL Server to be High Availability (HADR) aware. This guide covers step-by-step instructions to ensure continuous data capture and system resilience across failovers, minimizing manual intervention and maximizing uptime.
Mastering Resource Governance for SQL Server Agent Jobs
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where certain SQL Server Agent jobs are taking up more than their fair share of CPU resources? It’s a common scenario in the world of database management, where jobs essential to your database’s functionality end up hogging the limelight, so to speak. The Resource Governor (RG) is a powerful tool in SQL Server’s arsenal, designed to help you manage these situations. However, applying it effectively, especially to SQL Agent jobs, can be a bit tricky. This blog dives deep into the mechanics of Resource Governor and offers practical advice on managing your SQL Agent jobs efficiently.