Challenging Trends

Steve notes the changes in the world might affect how to view and use data in our work.

Data Cleanup

Steve wishes we could do some data cleanup and archival every year. Or even more often.

Database Snapshot Sparse Files

Building blocks of Extended Events data collection

Extended Events have been part of SQL Server since 2008. In this article, Ed Pollack explains the building blocks of Extended Events data collection.

Improving performance with instant file initialization

Instant file initialization can speed up database creation, file growth, and restores. Greg Larsen explains how to configure it and how it works.

SQL Server and hyperconvergence

To be efficient and save money, many organizations are looking at hyperconverged infrastructures for SQL Server. In this article, Robert Sheldon explains what to consider for SQL Server and hyperconvergence.

SQL Server performance tuning: Nine best practices

SQL Server performance tuning can seem overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. In this article Robert Sheldon explains 9 best practices for performance tuning.

How to Find Unused Databases in SQL Server

In this article we look at how to identify if SQL Server databases are not being used and a process to take these unused databases offline.

Building a SQL Server data dictionary

In this article, Edward Pollack explains the benefits of a SQL Server data dictionary and how to build one.

SQL Server Security – Fixed server and database roles

Security roles can simplify permissions in SQL Server. In this article, Greg Larsen explains fixed server and database roles.