Azure Stretch Database, Part I: Getting Going
With most innovative new technologies, Azure Stretch Database demos make it look completely easy. Here is a step by step to get going, with examples. Part One of a Two-Part series.
2019-08-26
4,961 reads
John F. Tamburo
Making Good Use of SQL Server Auditing
SQL Server Auditing is a powerful out-of-the box toolset that captures auditing information and writes to a file or the Event Log. This article examines the little things that might snag you up.
2019-08-05 (first published: 2017-10-05)
11,213 reads
DBAs and the ITIL Framework, Part II: Asset Management
See how the ITIL Framework's Asset Management standards make the DBA's job easier. Use the CMDB and DML to keep your data assets under tight control.
2019-05-17 (first published: 2017-11-21)
3,620 reads
Database Cloning Tools in Lower Environments
With exciting products like SQL Clone making their debut, the DBA will need to think through the approach to implementing such powerful tools. Done properly, these tools will provide a massive benefit to both the DBA and developer.
2019-05-10 (first published: 2017-11-28)
4,398 reads
Understanding Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication, Part 3
We've gone through the basics of Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication (PPTR). Now, we will blow it up! We will then fix it and show you how you how to triage and repair PPTR. When you remain calm and take some easy steps, you can stabilize PPTR with ease.
2019-01-04 (first published: 2016-01-07)
2,986 reads
Understanding Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication, Part 2
As the Peer-to-Peer series continues, we set up an example topology in Peer-to-Peer Transactional replication and test it.
2018-12-28 (first published: 2015-11-05)
4,130 reads
Understanding Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication, Part 1
There are times when you need to share tables between servers, where the table may be updated in both places. Peer-to-Peer Transactional Replication gives you the ability to create a solution. I explain the benefits and the downfalls.
2018-12-21 (first published: 2014-01-13)
6,263 reads
SQL Authentication Via AD Groups Part II: Who has what access?
In a previous article, we discussed how to liberate the DBA from SQL Logins with AD Groups. A good point was raised: How can the DBA know who has what access? Here is a solution.
2018-08-03 (first published: 2016-02-18)
12,294 reads
Packaged-Application Database Nightmares - A Horror Story
The business decides on a packaged application and buys it. After installation, you look at the schema and realize that is is a nightmare. How do you manage this nightmare?
2018-05-02 (first published: 2015-12-22)
5,449 reads
Random Word Generation for Data Scrubbing
With HIPAA and GDPR requiring your careful scrubbing of data for lower environments, random word generation promises to be a huge helper. Read here how to do it.
2018-05-01
5,890 reads
Blogs
Don’t Miss Out – SQL Server Query Tuning Fundamentals Starts Next Monday!
Next Monday, February 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server Query Tuning...
Monday Monitor Tips: SQL Auditing Preview
By Steve Jones
One of the features we advocates have been advocating for is a better way...
SQL Server 2025 CU1 Fixes the Docker Desktop AVX Issue on macOS
Microsoft fixed the AVX instruction issue in SQL Server 2025 CU1. The container now...
Forums
25 Years of SQL Server Central
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The Decoded Value
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Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition in Kubernetes: A Cost-Effective Alternative to RDS
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Deploying SQL Server Developer Edition...
Question of the Day
The Decoded Value
In SQL Server 2025, what is returned from this code:
DECLARE @message VARCHAR(50) = 'Hello SQL Server 2025!'; DECLARE @encoded VARCHAR(MAX); SET @encoded = BASE64_ENCODE(CAST(@message AS VARBINARY(1000))); SELECT BASE64_DECODE(@encoded)See possible answers