Hidden Connections
Ever have strange DTS errors after moving a package? You changed all the connection strings, but still get connection errors. Steve Jones did and tracked down one potential culprit.
2002-10-29
4,393 reads
Administration
Alternatives to SQL Backups
All of do us regular backups. Ok, all of us SHOULD do regular backups. In this article Andy comments on why having a backup plan isn't enough and why you should look at some other options for when you need to fix data errors. This really speaks to the goal of minimizing down time using low tech, readily available solutions. If you're not interested yet, we'll add this - one of the alternatives he suggests is Microsoft Access!
2002-10-28
8,433 reads
Open Source ASP Enterprise Manager in Design Phase
Andy relates some info he got from Wes Grant about his freeware and open source project to build a web based admin tool for SQL that is currently in the design/initial coding phase. Get the scoop and maybe write some of the code too!
2002-10-22
4,837 reads
Conflicting Instructions
Ever have problems following something from Books Online? There may be a reason. Microsoft has noticed as well and there are updates for this valuable DBA tool. Here's a sample of the changes and a link to get the update.
2002-10-21
4,460 reads
Using Check Constraints
Check constraints can be added to a table to enforce specific rules on one or more columns. This article shows you how to use them to enforce simple and more complex rules.
2002-10-03
16,295 reads
Worst Practice - Sorting by Ordinal
If you've been with us for a while you know that Andy started a series last year on worst practices. As he says, maybe you can't always do best practices, but at least dont do the worst ones. Read the article and add a comment, participate!
2002-10-01
7,477 reads
Push Those Logs Away!
Steve found a gaping hole in his backup process. One that he plugged with this script to move log files around the network in the event of a server failure. If you can't afford to lose a day of work, read about his solution.
2002-09-30
6,276 reads
Adding Linked Servers Using SQL-DMO
Following up on a question posted in our discussion area, Andy looks at how to use DMO to add and remove linked servers. Along the way he points out a couple 'gotchas' and throws in a cool tip about how to save a little time when you experiment with DMO.
2002-09-19
12,182 reads
Nightly Failed Jobs Report
Do you get tired of reviewing each SQL Agent notifications nightly to determine which SQL Agent jobs failed? Is there a significant number of SQL Agent job notifications that it takes a while to review each? Here is an alternative that allows you to have a single email report of all job failures.
2002-09-17
11,737 reads
Kill That Target!
Having trouble with a target server (TSX)? Steve Jones did in his environment. Read about how he worked around the issue to restore administrative capabilities.
2002-09-16
7,246 reads
Blogs
A Wellbeing Day at Redgate
By Steve Jones
It’s a day off for Redgate today. This is our annual wellbeing day, where...
Don’t Miss Out – SQL Server 2025 Unleashed Training Starts Next Monday!
Next Monday, March 9, 2026, my one-day live online training SQL Server 2025 Unleashed:...
What is ALM in Fabric?
By HeyMo0sh
As someone who’s worked with data for over 20 years and with many cloud...
Forums
A Quick Restore
Comments posted to this topic are about the item A Quick Restore
Guarding Against SQL Injection at the Database Layer (SQL Server)
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Guarding Against SQL Injection at...
Ola Hallengren Index Optimize Maintenance can we have data compression = page
I have a quick question on Ola Hallengren Index Optimize Maintenance . Do we...
Question of the Day
A Quick Restore
While doing some testing of an application, I wanted to reset my environment after doing some testing with this code:
USE DNRTest BACKUP DATABASE DNRTest TO DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' GO /* Bunch of stuff tested here */RESTORE DATABASE DNRTest FROM DISK = 'dnrtest.bak' WITH REPLACEWhat happens if this runs, assuming the "bunch of stuff" isn't anything affecting the instance. See possible answers