SQL Server 2005 - Setup and Deployment

So far, in our series of articles, we have presented the most significant new and enhanced features available in Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, but neglected to provide you with information regarding its installation. While it is more than likely that, by now, you already have accomplished this entirely on your own, we suspect that you still should be able to benefit from a more in-depth analysis of the setup process. Explaining improvements in its design and implementation is the primary purpose of this article.

Litespeed for SQL Server

Your backups are critical for the success and stability of your business. However as backup sizes grow and servers proliferate, managing the backups and storing all this data becomes a challenge. Dale Elizabeth Corey brings us a look at Imceda's Litespeed for SQL Server, a fantastic utility for helping manage your backups.

The BestOf vol. 3 and Stumpers Vol. 2

New books from SQLServerCentral.com. The latest versions of our very popular SQL Server reference materials are now available.

How to Pass Access Data Across the Web

The solution described below should probably not be considered a "best practice" but it works. It came to life as I was pondering the following conundrum: How can I pass a little bit of data from an internal Access application behind a firewall out to a public web site in real time?

Simon Says

Most of us have probably worked with some third party tool at some point in our SQL Server career. But how many tools have been written by a rocket scientist? Steve Jones had a chance to interview Red Gate Software's Simon Galbraith about a variety of topics. An interesting look at the software world through Simon's eyes.

SQL Server 2005 Roadshows

Ongoing now, the SQL Server 2005 Roadshows in conjunction with PASS. Read Robert Pearl's notes from the show and if you are in Dallas or Houston or Europe, there is still time to attend on of these events.

Identifying Long Running SQL Server Agent Jobs

In my article last month, I wrote about different methods you could use to identify the state of a SQL Server Agent job. One of the methods I discussed was using the undocumented extended stored procedure (XP) "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs." In this article, I will show you how to use the "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs" XP to help identify long running jobs.

Controlling Unusually Long Running Jobs

The SQLAgent scheduler in SQL Server 2000 is an amazing tool that allows you to schedule many different kinds of jobs with a great deal of flexibility. However, it doesn't have great facilities for handling jobs that may take longer than expected. And about which you'd like to be notified. Leo Peysakhovich brings us his code and technique for detecting when a job step runs long.

SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4

It's now available!! Find out what's in there and where you can get it.

Why bother with backup?

Backing up SQL Server data is like many of the things we do because we figure we need to. It is good for you, like eating a good diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, folks are often about as successful with SQL Server backups as they are with diet and exercise.

This is the first in a series of articles covering SQL Server database backup. The series starts from the very basics of why database backup is important. The question of why to backup a database can inform many other decisions.