Check Azure SQL DB Space Used
A couple of days ago I was doing some cleaning on some Azure SQL DBs and shrinking some files to lower the bill.
To check my progress I needed to...
2024-05-02
217 reads
Blog Posts
6 Best SQL Training Courses for Beginners (2024 Updated)
We all know that choosing the right basic SQL training is absolutely crucial if you want your SQL journey to be a success story, especially when you're starting from...
2024-05-01 (first published: 2024-04-30)
248 reads
SQL Database Administration: Not For Everyone (But Maybe It’s for You)
Let's get one thing straight: database administration isn't the most glamorous tech job out there. You won't be building flashy user interfaces or trendy AI models. But if you...
2024-05-01 (first published: 2024-04-17)
701 reads
Test Data Management – 2024 is your year to do it
This blog post is about Test Data Management – or my take on it. I just saw that a video I did for my good mates at Redgate is...
2024-05-01 (first published: 2024-04-30)
87 reads
Undercover Catalogue 0.4.4 Released – Database Last Accessed Time and NEW Snapshot Module
Full documentation on the Undercover Catalogue can be found HERE It’s been a while since the Undercover Catalogue last received an update but having had a few of those...
2024-05-01 (first published: 2024-04-16)
294 reads
Upcoming speaking events in May (Australia)
Are you looking to boost your skills and knowledge in Database DevOps, learn how to transition to the cloud, and work across multiple databases? Join me and fellow speakers/experts...
2024-05-01
19 reads
Use a slicer to filter a visual based upon a measure in Power BI
Have you ever wanted to filter a visual by selecting a range of values for a measure? You may have found that you cannot populate a slicer with a...
2024-05-01
33 reads
SQL Saturday Atlanta 2024
Hey there happy coders! Last weekend I had the pleasure of speaking at the SQL Saturday Atlanta event in Georgia! It was an awesome time of seeing data friends...
2024-04-30
35 reads
dataMinds Saturday 2024 – Session Materials
It was great being at dataMinds Saturday 2024 this past weekend. A great crowd of data enthusiasts was present to learn from a bunch of local speakers (both old...
2024-04-29
28 reads
Elastic Jobs for Azure SQL DB
I know if you are a SQL Server DBA using Azure SQL DB, you’ve been sorely missing the agent. Enter Elastic Jobs to help you schedule jobs more easily...
2024-04-29 (first published: 2024-04-16)
344 reads
Blogs
Adding an HTTP MCP Server to VSCode
By Steve Jones
I wrote earlier this week about the SQL MCP Server using the Data API...
Microsoft announces new cybersecurity AI multi-model
By Brian Kelley
Yesterday, July 27, 2026, Microsoft announced a new cybersecurity effort called Project Perception. Included...
Getting the SQL Server MCP Server Running
By Steve Jones
If you’ve wanted a SQL Server MCP server for your databases, it’s available. The...
Forums
Symmetric Key Encryption
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Symmetric Key Encryption
The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why Your Login Auditing Strategy Might Be Hurting Your Server
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The “Successful Login” Dilemma: Why...
Building Your Own Software
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Building Your Own Software
Question of the Day
Symmetric Key Encryption
If I run this statement in SQL Server 2025, how is the password encrypted?
CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY MySymmetricKey WITH ALGORITHM = AES_256, KEY_SOURCE = 'My secret key source passphrase', IDENTITY_VALUE = 'My secret identity value' ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'S&perS#cretP@ssword7'; GOSee possible answers