The Need for Tape
Are tape systems obsolete? A recent incident has Steve Jones thinking perhaps not.
Database Backup and Recovery in the Age of Big Data
Big data is the latest craze. Hardware and software vendors have overwhelmed IT departments with high-speed analytical software, proprietary high-performance hardware, and columnar-based data stores promising quick access and lightning-fast answers to ad hoc analytical queries. Forgotten in this blast of technology are the database administrators' most important responsibilities: backup and recovery.
SQL in the City Atlanta 2013
SQL in the City is coming to Atlanta on October 11. The second stop on the SQL in the City US Tour brings you SQL Server MVP experts including, Steve Jones and Grant Fritchey. Learn top tips and best practices for SQL Server database development and administration, discover the latest Red Gate tools, and network with fellow data professionals.
SQL Monitor Performance Metric: SQL Server: Plan Cache: Cache Pages Total
This metric collects the total amount of memory, in kilobytes, used by the plan cache of an instance to help identify memory pressure or plan cache pollution. It is similar to the SQL Server: memory manager: SQL cache memory counter, but instead of providing the number of 8-kilobyte pages that make up the plan cache, it provides the total memory used.
Competence trumps a good cultural fit
Phil Factor reflects on how the people who made the industry great, in the past, were often eccentric, rebellious, odd, truculent, but all blessed with the gift of creating wonderful software. Today, such people would struggle to get pass the first interview.
Hybrid Databases
We are getting more and more types of data that we have to manage and store in our databases. Steve Jones notes that SQL Server can handle almost all your needs.
The Fundamentals of SQL Server Replication by Sebastian Meine
Many of my clients need to make data that lives on one server available on another server. There are many reasons for such a requirement. You might want to speed up cross-server queries by providing a local copy of the data. Or you might want to make the data available to resource intensive reporting queries without impacting the OLTP load, maybe even with an intentional delay so you're always reporting against complete days only. Finally, you might be looking to implement high availability. In all these situations, SQL Server Replication is a viable option to look at when planning for the implementation of such a requirement.
Developing for Delivery, a Practical Example
Richard Morris interviewed Michael Stoop, a database developer at Calvi, Europe's leading provider of Telecom Invoice Management software. The discussion focused on how Calvi transformed their database delivery process to accommodate massive database growth, statutory regulations, and developments in their application. Here's their story.
SQL in the City Pasadena 2013
SQL in the City is coming to Pasadena on October 9. Register for a full day of free SQL Server training the Red Gate way. Top tips and best practices for SQL Server database development and administration will be presented by SQL Server MVP experts, including Steve Jones and Grant Fritchey. You’ll also see Red Gate tools in action and have the chance to network with other data professionals.
An Interview with Allen Kinsel, PASS Board Candidate
Allen Kinsel is running for the board of directors of PASS. He took a little time to answer some questions from Steve Jones
Blogs
ISACA AI Material/Exam Prep Discount (May 18 – June 30, 2026)
By Brian Kelley
If you are considering any of the ISACA AI certs like the Advanced Artificial...
A Fabric solution can be very cost effective
By ChrisJenkins
Are you currently using Microsoft Fabric or considering migrating to it? If so, there...
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log
By SQLPals
Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log If you...
Forums
We Are Eating Our Own Seed Corn
Comments posted to this topic are about the item We Are Eating Our Own...
Before Using AI with Business Data, Read This
Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of daily business operations, from document analysis...
Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines That Don't Break at Scale
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Designing SQL Server ETL Pipelines...
Question of the Day
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
In the Database Engine, when a deadlock is detected, what does the detection interval shrink to (in time)?
See possible answers