NGSSQuirreL Released.

NGSSoftware have released NGSSQuirreL, a security audit and management tool for SQL Server. Designed to ease the administrative burden of securing SQL Server, NGSSQuirreL finds the security holes then generates a lockdown script based upon the vulnerabilities found so the server can be secured in a matter of minutes; and regular audits can help keep it that way. For more information or an evaluation copy please see the NGSSite - http://www.nextgenss.com/.

Threat Profiling SQL Server

An interesting research paper by David Litchfield on how an attacker might go about attacking your server. Definitely worth a read.

What's best for DBAs? GUI or T-SQL commands?

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using the SQL Server graphical administration tools (Enterprise Manager) versus the T-SQL administrative commands, with specific examples. Read up and decide for yourself, if you want to be a point-and-click DBA or a T-SQL scripting expert!

Upcoming SQL Server 2000 64-bit Beta Program

Liberty Beta 2 will incorporate all the updates of SQL Server’s Service Pack 3. Furthermore, Liberty Beta 2 will be optimized for the newest addition to Intel’s Itanium® Processor Family, the Itanium® 2 processor. This beta is scheduled to start in late September.

Note: Liberty requires 64-bit hardware with an Intel’s Itanium® or Itanium® 2 processor and will not run on standard 32-bit machines.

Defend Your Code with Top Ten Security Tips Every Developer Must Know

A list of tips that should make your code more secure. Note that SQL Server is mentioned in a few places, especially # 4

SQL-UP! version 1.3 now available

Incepto Ltd. announced the availability of SQL-UP! version 1.3, distributed SQL Server Cluster. SQL-UP! clusters SQL Server databases over LAN or WAN, with no shared storage device.

The software provides business continuity and complete disaster protection for business-critical databases. The new version adds support for online database schema changes, inter-domain clusters and high transaction load.

Proc-Blaster Updated

Proc-Blaster 2.32 has been released with much faster loading time, improved help file, new templates and more. Proc-Blaster is a RAD Code Generator for SQL Server.

VB TV

What's VB.NET? Microsoft has launched a new learning platform called VBTV. Check it out if you are interested in VB at all.

Forcibly Shrink the Transaction Log in All DBs

For lazy folks who want to use 'sp_force_shrink_log' in all dbs.  This script depends on 'sp_force_shrink_log' already existing.

Upcoming SQL Server SP3 Beta Program

It’s almost time for the newest Service Pack for SQL Server 2000, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared for this one. In addition to the normal QFE fixes, the top service pack requests from our PSS organization and the latest security fixes, this service pack will be shipping with MDAC version 2.7 SP1. You’re going to want to be involved in this service pack beta! This beta is scheduled to start in mid to late September.