Additional Articles


External Article

SQL Server Encryption Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Keys

I need to encrypt my data within SQL Server and I plan on using the built-in encryption functionality in SQL Server 2005 and 2008. However, I'm looking at symmetric and asymmetric key algorithms and while I see information saying to use symmetric keys, I don't understand why. What's the difference between the two and why is a symmetric key algorithm preferred over the asymmetric key ones?

2009-12-02

3,414 reads

External Article

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) - Troubleshooting Best Practices

In the previous tips (SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) - Best Practices - Part 1 and Part 2) of this series I briefly talked about SSIS and a few of the best practices to consider when designing SSIS packages. Continuing on the same rhythm I am going to discuss some more best practices for SSIS package design, how you can design high performing packages with parallelism, troubleshooting performance problems etc.

2009-11-30

3,785 reads

External Article

Controlling Execution Plans with Hints

The Query Optimizer gets it right most of the time, but occasionally it chooses a plan that isn't the best possible. You can give the Query Optimiser a better idea by using Table, Join and Query hints. These come with a risk: Any choices you force on the Optimizer by using hints can turn out to be entirely wrong as the database changes with the addition of data over time. Grant Fritchey, in a chapter from his highly acclaimed book, explains further.

2009-11-25

3,275 reads

External Article

Using the SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Deployment Wizard

I have to deploy my SQL Server Analysis Services project to a test server then to a production server after testing is completed. For both of these deployments I need to provide an installation program. I am not allowed to access either of these servers. For my own testing I can deploy my project using Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) and this works great. How can I create an installer that my IT team can use to perform the deployment?

2009-11-25

2,137 reads

Technical Article

Installing SQL Server 2008

The installation process for SQL Server 2008 has many different options. These options allow you more control over your SQL Server Instance configuration. Having this additional control allows you to set up your SQL Server 2008 instances out of the box with the appropriate configuration, like directory structure, accounts, etc. In this article I'll walk you through the SQL Server installation process.

2009-11-24

3,680 reads

Blogs

Using CAT for Testing of Data Agents

By

In last months one of the scenarios where you can use AI has been...

Are you getting value from your reporting?

By

Do you spend so long manipulating your data into something vaguely useful that you...

The Book of Redgate: SQL Server Central

By

It was neat to stumble on this in the book, a piece by me,...

Read the latest Blogs

Forums

Microsoft Security Changes and SQL Server

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Microsoft Security Changes and SQL...

Expanding into Print

By Steve Jones - SSC Editor

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Expanding into Print

Downtime Caused by the Postgres Transaction ID Wraparound Problem

By Chandan Shukla

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Downtime Caused by the Postgres...

Visit the forum

Question of the Day

The String Distance I

In SQL Server 2025, what is returned by this code:

SELECT EDIT_DISTANCE('Steve', 'Stan')
Assume preview features are enabled.

See possible answers