The system_health Extended Event Session

When I first started poking around in SQL Server 2012, I noticed an extended event session called “system_health” was created...

How Long is that SQL Command Going to Take?

Have you ever needed to restore a large database while someone is standing over your shoulder asking “How long is...

My Experience Aboard SQL Cruise 2014

Where do I begin? First let me say, WOW what an experience!

How it All Began
When I first heard about SQL...

Collecting Historical IO File Statistics

In a previous post, Collecting Historical Wait Statistics, I discussed how you can easily collect historical wait stats by using...

Collecting Historical Wait Statistics

As a DBA, I'm sure you've heard many times to always check the sys.dm_os_wait_stats DMV to help diagnose performance issues...

In-Memory OLTP and the Identity Column

Over the past month I've been playing around with the new In-Memory OLTP (code name: "Hekaton") features within SQL Server...

TSQL Tuesday #47 - Your Best SQL Server SWAG

The host for T-SQL Tuesday #47 is Kendal Van Dyke (blog|twitter), and his topic of choice is about the best...

One Year Later

Wow!  It’s been one year since I launched my blog, and my how things have changed.

Accomplishments Over the Past...

The Case of the NULL Query_Plan

As a DBA, we're often asked to troubleshoot performance issues for stored procedures.  One of the most common tools at...

How to Tell If Your Users are Connecting to the Availability Group Listener

You've spent a lot of time planning and building out a new SQL Server 2012 environment complete with Availability Group...