Patching Problems
After some issues with a recent Windows patch, Steve Jones is concerned about the future of software updates.
Optimizing Transaction Log Throughput
As a DBA, it is vital to manage transaction log growth explicitly, rather than let SQL Server auto-growth events "manage" it for you. If you undersize the log, and then let SQL Server auto-grow it in small increments, you'll end up with a very fragmented log. This article demonstrates how this can have a significant impact on the performance of any SQL Server operations that need to read the log.
No reason to abandon SQL
The early signs are that we can now run a SQL-based relational database with distributed execution plans over commodity hardware, leaving just the task of splicing together of the result to the engine itself, then why can’t Microsoft or Oracle do it?
Do We Still Need Database Design in the Era of Big Data?
Many big data application implementations seem to begin with an existing data warehouse, one or more new high-volume data streams, and some specialized hardware and software. The data storage issue is often accommodated by installing a proprietary hardware appliance that can store huge amounts of data while providing extremely fast data access. In these cases, do we really need to worry about database design?
The 5 Worst Days in a DBAs Life: Day 2
Steve and the rest of the DBA Team are back for round two. In this episode they have to restore all of a business' data using nothing but a set of off-site backups, kanban, and witty repartee.
Microsoft Azure Storage Queues Part 1: 360 Degrees
Microsoft Azure Queues are more than just a class or a concept – they're a ready-to-use service that loosely connects components or applications through the cloud. Roman Schacherl provides a helicopter overview of the service.
SQL Saturday #294 - Philadelphia
SQL Saturday is coming to Philadelphia on June 7, 2014. This event is a free day of training and networking for SQL Server Professionals, organized by the Philadelphia SQL Server User Group. The event also features two paid-for Precons, one presented by Allan Hirt and the other presented jointly by Joseph D'Antoni and Stacia Misner. Register while space is available.
One Final Patch
Vote for final service packs for SQL Server 2008 and R2. Let Microsoft know that we want regular support across the entire lifecycle.
Table Partitioning –XE Diagnostic for Data Movements
Diagnose partitioning related data movement between file groups using Extended Events and Debug Symbols
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