While I have always known that the Windows operating system Power Plan options affect a server’s performance, I had not realized how much until SQL Server MVP Glenn Berry (Blog | Twitter) suggested I try out my new Dell T610 test servers under the three available power savings… Read more

Sometimes, its just the smallest of details that can make all the difference. For example, on my test system (see the end of this posting for a description), I created a new 50GB database. The database creation process took about 5 minutes and 50 seconds to complete.

Next, I populated… Read more

The SQL Server DMV Starter Pack is a free eBook (84 pages) that describes 28 different ways that DMVs can be used with SQL Server. Not only is each way described in detail, but sample code is included so you can begin using the DMVs immediately. The book covers these… Read more

Red Gate Software has recently opened up its SQL Response v2 Early Release Program (EAP), and is inviting anyone who is interested to download the application, test it, and provide feedback. This is your opportunity to help SQL Response’s developers to create a great product that every DBA will want… Read more

November will be a busy time of the year for many SQL Server DBAs as they head off to the PASS Community Summit (November 8-11) or SQL Server Connections (November 1-5) for training. One of the things I have noticed, after attending the PASS Summit for 9 years now, and… Read more

I finally received all the components of my SQL Server test cluster (pictured left), which includes:

–One PowerVault MD3000 DAS with two, dual-port controllers, and 15 146GB 15K SAS drives.

–Two identical Dell T610 Towers, each with a single, 6-core CPU (Intel Xeon X5670, 2.93 Ghz, 12M Cache, HT, 1333MHz… Read more

In August, I will be presenting at the following events:

DevLINK, August 5-7, 2010

• How and When to Use Indexed Views
• Identifying SQL Server Performance Problems Using SQL Trace
• Essential DBA Skills: Introduction to Graphical Execution Plans

St. Louis SQL Server Users Group, August 11, 2010

• Identifying SQL…

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I get a lot of emails from people who read my blog, books, articles, and from people who have attended my presentations. I recently received the following email, which I particularly appreciated. While he has kind words to say, what really impressed me about this email was that the writer… Read more

Originally published in the Database Weekly newsletter.

I used to work at a large organization ($8 billion in revenues) as a SQL Server DBA. My immediate manager, who was a DB2 mainframe DBA, had worked for the organization for over 20 years, and he became a great mentor whom I… Read more

Back in 2008, I wrote a blog post about version 1 of the Performance Analysis of Logs (PAL) tool. This free tool, available from pal.codeplex.com, has been enhanced, and Version 2.0, Beta 1.1, is currently available for download. I have just downloaded and installed it myself, although I haven’t… Read more

This is number four in a series of checklists that I am putting together for a new book I am writing. Previously, I blogged about my SQL Server Hardware Checklist, my SQL Server Operating System Checklist, and my SQL Server Instance Checklist. The goal of the SQL… Read more

This month’s question of the month was:

What is your best advice for boosting index performance?

As usual, selecting the winning entry was difficult as there were many great tips, but this month’s winner is Robert Miller. Robert has won a US $50.00 Amazon.com gift certificate and a single… Read more

Post your responses to the above SQL Aloha Question of the Month in the comments section below (at www.bradmcgehee.com if you are viewing this from a syndicated newsfeed). And don’t forget to enter your e-mail address when you post your response, so I can contact you if you win.

This… Read more

Several weeks ago I wrote a blog post called “What is the Ideal SQL Server Test Box?” At that time I was putting together the specs for a test SQL Server box I hoped to be able to get for my home office. While a laptop is great for… Read more