Large SQL Server Database Backup on an Azure VM and Archiving
For a large SQL Server database on an Azure VM, backing up the data can have some challenges. In this article, Murshed Zaman focuses on the two most common challenges: size and speed.
Stairway to MDX - Level 12: : MDX Time/Date Series Functions: OpeningPeriod() and ClosingPeriod() Functions
BI Architect Bill Pearson continues with the second of a set of articles surrounding a group of MDX functions specialized to support the analysis of data within the context of time / date. In this article, we will explore the OpeningPeriod() and ClosingPeriod() functions, and get hands-on practice with each in meeting sample business requirements.
Azure Event Hubs
If you need to receive and process a large volume of of packets of data, such as telemetry, or event-log items, it may be worth considering Azure Event hubs. They aren't like traditional messaging but represent more of a stripped down one-way event processing system for large volumes of data. It could represent a good solution to an ever-present problem, but is it ready for production use? Rob Sheldon investigates.
Reporting Services: Drawing a Buffer on a Map
Handle together SQL Server spatial data features and Reporting Service design tools to build a map-based interactive report.
There Are Always Constraints
We must learn to deal with the reality of our situation, along with the limitations.
Analyzing I/O Performance for SQL Server
Inadequate storage is one of the most common bottlenecks seen in subsystem performance. There are a number of reasons for poor storage performance, but measuring it and understanding what needs to be measured and monitored is always a useful exercise.
SQL Monitor Custom Metric: Table size (MB)
This metric is useful if you want to know exactly how much physical space a particular table is taking up, including the size of its indexes.
Are DacPacs ready for prime-time?
DacPacs have been around for a while but DBAs have not, in the past, taken them particularly seriously. Is it time to get involved and influence the way the technology develops?
Changing SQL Server Database Logical Names
SQL Server Databases are made up of physical and logical names. This article goes over the logical names, where you might need to know them, and then how to change them.
Blogs
AI: Blog a Day – Day 7: Vector and Vector Databases
By Vinay Thakur
Continuing from Day 6 we learned Embeddings, Semantic Search and Checks, on Day 7...
AI: Blog a Day – Day 6: Embeddings – How AI Understands
By Vinay Thakur
Continuing from Day 5 where we covered notebooks, HuggingFace and fine tuning AI now...
The Book of Redgate: Mistakes
By Steve Jones
This is kind of a funny page to look at. The next page has...
Forums
Why End-User Testing Is Even More Important with AI
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Why End-User Testing Is Even...
Dynamic Unpivot
I have a table I didn't design that has tons of repeating groups in...
Writing as an Art and a Job
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Writing as an Art and...
Question of the Day
String Similarity II
What is the range for the result from the EDIT_DISTANCE_SIMILARITY() function in SQL Server 2025?
See possible answers