But the SQL Listener isn’t started!

Yep, I heard you loud and clear. There is more than one way to find SQL Server on your network. This time we will dig deep into the TDS protocol docs again along with a bit of guess work.

Old Dog New Protocol Plus…

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Do It In Bulk

I usually don’t run queries on just one server. Most of the time I need to get some piece of information from dozens if not hundreds of servers at a time. I also really like Glenn’s diagnostic queries and use them regularly with some modifications and… Read more

Old Dog, New Tricks

I’ve been writing tools for SQL Server for a lot of years. Some of these tools were never completely released. Some of them were just for me. Some of them overlapped other tools already on the market and free for all. Recently, I started updating my… Read more

Finally a REAL keyboard for my iPad!

I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted a real keyboard that my iPad could dock with easily. I have always hated lugging around a laptop everywhere to do any real typing. When I got the first iPad I really thought it was… Read more

Again, frustration.

After almost breaking my arm patting myself on the back getting past my last SAP BW issue I found that SAP BW Connector and SQL Server 2012 were punishing me again. I was building a second package against the same SAP instance on the same SQL Server 2012… Read more

Frustration.

If you have ever had to work with Integration Services and data sources other than the Microsoft variety you know how frustrating it can be. I recently started a project using SQL Server 2012 and SAP BW 7. The customer had already decided that the other commercial options weren’t… Read more

Here In A Flash!

Its been a crazy last few years in the flash storage space. Things really started taking off around 2006 when NAND flash and moores law got together. in 2010 it was clear that flash storage was going to be a major part of your storage makeup… Read more

Why do some things have to be so hard?

I have been asking myself that question for the better part of two weeks as I wrestle with SSIS 2008 R2 and getting data out of Oracle and into SQL Server.

It’s like the shell game, only with drivers.

Like, go…

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Shared Consolidated Storage Systems – A Brief History

Hey, “Shared Consolidated Storage Systems” did you just make that up? Why yes, yes I did.

For as long as we have had computers there has been a need to store and retrieve data. We have covered the basics of hard disks Read more

If it happens two times then you know the first time wasn’t a fluke.

Today was my anniversary date for the SQL Server MVP award. I wasn’t expecting to be renewed. I was though. Three of my friends weren’t added to the MVP roster. All three of them have put… Read more

So, No SQL Saturday in Austin This Year.

I know a lot of folks were disappointed that we (POSSE) weren’t able to pull together in time for a SQL Saturday in Austin this year. We are shooting for a spring date and I’ll be posting more about that in the… Read more

Odd Man Out

SQL Server has three backup types. Two you have heard of and used. One, while useful, isn’t very well understood.

Let’s start with a technical recap of the three backup types for SQL Server.

1. Full Database Backup

When you request a full backup, SQL Server dumps… Read more

You Need To Test Your SQL Server!

Its like screaming “TEST THE BREAKS ON YOUR CAR!” If you don’t have the tools or know how it is just good advice you can’t follow. I’ve done a TON of benchmarks over the years using every tool imaginable including ones I’ve written… Read more

It’s Not A Repeat

Speaking at the PASS Summit last year was one of the highlights of my career. I had a single regular session initially and picked up an additional session due to a drop in the schedule. Both talks were fun and I got some solid feedback.

The…

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Much Learning Was Had By All

SQL Rally 2012 had a diverse group of speakers and something for all levels of experience. I personally dug the talk Suresh did on 2012 memory internals. Mike Fal(twitter|blog) was the SQL Rally swan song. He is an example… Read more

All Quite on the Western Front

It is going to get noisy soon though! I”m speaking at SQLSaturday #111 in Atlanta April 14th. This is a new presentation for me I always build one or two new presentations a year and this one is near and dear to my heart. Read more

What A Diffrince A Year Makes

In January I posted up my new years list basically, stuff I wanted to learn in the last twelve months. Lets take a quick look at last years goals.

SQL Server Stuff

1. Partitioning
Win
Done, and pretty early on. I did a lot… Read more

Great Content + Great Speakers = Awesome Event

All the evaluations have been tallied, its official SQLSaturday #97 was a hit! As a speaker I always like to know how well I did. As a competitor, I like to know how well I stacked up overall. SQLSaturday #97 had some… Read more

SQL Server 2012 Release Candidate 0, Time To Get Serious

With the release of RC0 Microsoft has signaled that the release of SQL Server 2012 is just around the corner. If you haven’t been experimenting with the CTP’s now is the time to get off your duff and start getting… Read more

Feed Me Seymour!

Welcome to your number one cost.  Every budget I’ve looked at so far food is the top expense by a wide margin. There are very few rules that come down from PASS to your local event organizers, what you can charge is one of them. The only… Read more