Managing a SQL Server instance can involve various tasks, including setting configuration options to optimize performance and resource usage. Using PowerShell to configure SQL Server instances can provide significant advantages, such as automation, consistency, and the ability to easily script and repeat tasks across multiple servers. This guide will walk you through a PowerShell script that connects to a local SQL Server instance, retrieves current configuration settings, updates these settings, and applies the changes.
GO for it with SQLCMD: Introducing the Modern SQLcmd
Learn how Go-SQLcmd enhances SQLCMD by providing a lightweight and efficient way to manage SQL Server environments using Docker containers. This guide covers the capabilities of Go-SQLcmd, including container creation and database restoration. Follow detailed installation steps and practical usage examples to streamline your SQL Server development and testing workflows. Ideal for developers and database administrators looking for cross-platform solutions.”
Creating SQL Server AGs on Linux: Part 3 – Pacemaker Resources and Constraints
Welcome to the third part of our series on setting up SQL Server availability groups on Linux. In the previous post, we focused on enabling High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) on SQL Server and setting up the availability group. This post will guide you through configuring Pacemaker resources and constraints to manage the availability group effectively.
Strategies for Optimizing Version Ghost Record Cleanup in SQL Server
This blog explores the challenges and strategies for managing version ghost records in SQL Server. It discusses issues like single-threaded cleanup tasks, long-running transactions, and locking levels that impact the cleanup process. The post provides actionable strategies such as updating SQL Server, utilizing trace flags, and regular index maintenance to improve ghost record cleanup efficiency.
Creating SQL Server AGs on Linux: Part 2 – Enabling HADR on SQL Server
This is part of a series on setting up SQL Server availability groups on Linux. It details how to enable High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) on SQL Server, including creating master keys, certificates, and availability groups. Clear instructions are provided for configuring SQL Server and Pacemaker to ensure data redundancy and high availability. Follow these steps to enhance the reliability of your SQL Server instances on Ubuntu 20.04.
The Application Role: Implementing Application Roles with SQL Server
A straightforward guide to implementing application roles in SQL Server, focusing on enhancing security and managing database permissions for applications. This guide covers the creation, activation, and management of application roles, ensuring applications have the necessary access while minimizing the risk of unauthorized actions. Learn about key concepts such as role activation, permission assignment, and reverting security contexts. Follow best practices to effectively use application roles and improve the overall security and manageability of your SQL Server databases.
Creating SQL Server AGs on Linux: Part 1 – Installing and Configuring Pacemaker
This post is the first part of a series on setting up SQL Server availability groups on Linux. It covers the installation and configuration of Pacemaker on Ubuntu 20.04, creating the Pacemaker cluster, and configuring essential cluster properties. Designed for SQL Server DBAs with limited Linux experience, this guide lays the foundation for a robust high availability environment.
SQL Server AG Readonly Secondaries and their Associated Overhead
In SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, configuring read-access for one or more secondary replicas introduces additional overhead to the primary databases. This overhead, specifically a 14-byte addition to modified, inserted, or deleted data rows, is essential for the row versioning feature that ensures data consistency across replicas. Row versioning allows secondary replicas to perform read operations without being affected by ongoing changes on the primary replica, ensuring a consistent view of the data. Understanding this overhead and its impact on storage and performance is crucial for optimizing SQL Server environments.
Ten Ways Senior DBAs Distinguish Themselves from their Junior Colleagues
Aspiring to become a senior SQL Server DBA involves much more than just accumulating years of experience. It’s about deepening your understanding of SQL Server, honing your skills, and continuously adapting to new technologies and methodologies. Senior DBAs are often the backbone of an organization’s database infrastructure, ensuring stability, performance, and security. They have a profound knowledge of SQL Server and are proficient in handling complex scenarios that junior DBAs might find challenging. This journey requires dedication, a thirst for knowledge, and the willingness to tackle demanding tasks head-on.
Exploring the Azure SQL Migration Extension
Migrating databases to the cloud can be a daunting task, especially for organizations with large, complex SQL Server environments. Fortunately, Azure Data Studio offers an extension designed to simplify this process: the Azure SQL Migration extension. This powerful tool streamlines the migration of SQL Server databases to various Azure SQL destinations, providing a comprehensive suite of features to ensure a smooth transition. In this post, we’ll explore the key features of the Azure SQL Migration extension and how it can assist you in your cloud migration journey.