Identify Databases Not in SQL Server 2008 Compatibility Level Using Policy Based Management

You need to periodically ascertain if there are any databases in your production environment which are not in SQL Server 2008 Compatibility Level. In this tip we cover the step by step process for setting up a policy to identify databases that are not in SQL Server 2008 Compatibility Level.

Configuring Kerberos Authentication for Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Products

This document provides you with information that will help you understand the concepts of identity in SharePoint 2010 products, how Kerberos authentication plays a critical role in authentication and delegation scenarios, and the situations where Kerberos authentication should be leveraged or may be required in solution designs. The document also shows you how to configure Kerberos authentication end-to-end within your environment, including scenarios which use various service applications in SharePoint Server. Additional tools and resources are described to help you test and validate Kerberos configuration. The "Step-by-Step Configuration" sections of this document cover several SharePoint Server 2010 scenarios.

Creating Synchronization Providers With The Sync Framework

Microsoft Sync Framework is a comprehensive platform for synchronizing offline and online data, and facilitates collaboration and offline access for applications, services and devices alike. It is protocol- and database-independent and includes technologies and tools that enable device roaming, sharing and the ability to take networked data offline before synchronizing it back at a later point in time.

Using Dynamic Management Objects to Monitor I/Os Against an Instance of SQL Server

To ensure that queries run as efficiently as possible, the database administrator needs to monitor performance to find inefficient queries. This article focuses on exploring how a DBA can monitor the I/Os against an instance of SQL Server, using Dynamic Management Objects, or more commonly know as Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) and Functions (DMFs).

Creating packages in code - Workflow

This is just a quick one prompted by a question on the SSIS Forum, how to programmatically add a precedence constraint (aka workflow) between two tasks. To keep the code simple I’ve actually used two Sequence containers which are often used as anchor points for a constraint. Very often this is when you have task that you wish to conditionally execute based on an expression.

SQL Server restart validation checklist

Many times there is the need to restart the SQL Server services, this could be a reboot of the server after patching, service pack installation or due to some other reason. Sometimes we may face issues after the restart for example the SPN is not registered, a database is offline etc... For the solution you can use the below standard SQL Server validation checklist after you restart your SQL services.

SQL Q&A: Shrinking, Growing and Redesigning Databases

SQL databases come in all shapes and sizes and schemas. This month, our SQL expert helps with condensing, growing and redesigning databases.

Migrating VLDB with Log Shipping

You just had a great weekend. You go grab your coffee and before you take a sip a manager grabs you and says, "we need your help." We need to migrate a very large database to our new data center. We need to keep the data in sync and have a short period of downtime when we cutover.

Database Upgrade to SQL Server 2008 Tools and Approaches

Performing an upgrade is a complex and often risky project. A successful upgrade can provide an organization with a modern platform for development and production. An unsuccessful upgrade can cause lost time and money, and it can create a bad perception for the future.

This paper documents approaches and tools that can help DBAs and developers to achieve successful and mostly painless upgrade of SQL Server databases from Microsoft® SQL Server® 2000 or SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008 (or SQL Server 2008 R2).

Implementing SSIS Package Configurations

Marcin Policht demonstrates how to leverage SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package variables in order to modify SSIS properties without directly editing package content.