SQL Server Backup Monitoring with PowerShell
In this part of the series we look at how to use the PowerShell monitoring scripts to collect backup information from your monitored instances.
SQL Server MSDB Database Tutorial
In this tutorial we will cover common questions related to the SQL Server msdb database. This is one of the standard system databases that are part of every SQL Server installation. This tutorial will give you a better idea of what the msdb database.
Hacking the Admin
A Twitter hack brings into the question of who can make changes in production for Steve.
Stairway to Columnstore Indexes Level 13: Improvements in SQL Server 2016
This stairway series was started in 2015. As such, the focus was on SQL Server 2012 and SQL Server 2014 only. When SQL Server 2016 was released, with lots of improvements in the columnstore technology, I decided to finish the planned levels with the original focus on SQL Server 2012 and 2014, and add one extra level with a brief overview of the improvements available in SQL Server 2016.
Automate Database Restore for SQL Server
In this article we look at how to automate a SQL Server database restore using a PowerShell script.
TDE BYOK and Geo-Replication in Azure SQL DB
Recently a customer asked me for help with setting up a test of an Azure SQL Database in the single database tier with Geo-Replication to work with Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a customer-managed key, also known as Bring Your Own Key (BYOK). It is very simple to do it when you use service-managed keys, […]
Power BI Incremental Refresh for SQL Sources
In this article we look at the incremental refresh feature when working with Power BI data sources and how to implement for your reports.
A Dedicated Space
Today Steve looks at one possible future of offices, which might be something we own.
Blogs
A New Word: los vidados
By Steve Jones
los vidados – n. the half-remembered acquaintances you knew years ago, who you might...
In-Person CISA Training – April 13-16, 2026
By Brian Kelley
I will be leading an in-person Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam prep class...
EightKB 2026
EightKB is back again for 2026! The biggest online SQL Server internals conference is...
Forums
query to track time spent on individual tasks in SSIS
Hi everyone I am looking at building a query to determine how much time...
SQL Server Transactional Replication from Always On Availability Groups to Azure SQL Database
Comments posted to this topic are about the item SQL Server Transactional Replication from...
Hidden Heroes
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Hidden Heroes
Question of the Day
Identities and Sequences I
When thinking of the Identity property for auto incrementing columns and sequences for the same action, which are explicitly linked to increment a number in a table when a new row is added?
See possible answers