Extended Properties Introduction
Part one of a four part series intent on demystifying and making more accessible SQL Server extended properties
Generating Random Numbers in SQL Server Without Collisions
From time to time, I see a requirement to generate random identifiers for things like users or orders. People want to use random numbers so that the "next" identifier is not guessable, or to prevent insight into how many new users or orders are being generated in a given time frame, but they don't want to run into any duplicates. We can trade a bit of disk space and relatively predictable (but not optimal) performance for the guarantee of no collisions, no matter how many random numbers we've already used.
Red Gate will be exhibiting at SQL Server Live! Orlando
SQL Server Live! is coming to Orlando November 18-22. SQL Server Live! provides comprehensive education and knowledge share on SQL Server database management, data warehouse/BI model design, performance tuning, troubleshooting and more.
A Practical Guide to Microsoft Hyper-V Replica: Part II
A Hyper-V replica installation provides rapid disaster-recovery by asynchronously replicating a VM running at a primary site to a replica site. Know how to prepare for something to go wrong at the Primary Server/Site? In this article Nirmal Sharma presents the Replication options for a Replica Virtual Machine with a focus on Hyper-V Failover.
SSIS 2012 - Introduction to Windows Azure SQL Databases
When discussing SQL Server 2012 Integration Services, we have been dealing mainly with the traditional data management model, where the entire SQL Server environment resides on-premise. This once predominant paradigm is obviously changing, with hosted solutions (in the form of both private and public clouds) becoming increasingly common. In order to properly account for this trend, we turn our attention to the role that SSIS can serve in a mixed environment, where a part of the SQL Server estate is located in Windows Azure.
The Human Cost of Managing Data
There's a cost to managing data that isn't always considered: the human cost. Additional stress, work, and load can result in less than efficient management, even when you contain hard costs.
Manage SQL Server Reporting Services in Management Studio
Most maintenance for SSRS is performed either in Report Manager online or within the Report Services Configuration Manager from the desktop. The SSRS Management Studio connection is certainly no replacement for either of these tools, however, several benefits can be obtained using SSMS. First, you are able to connect to the SSRS even if you are having browser issues; second, it is often quicker to just switch from using Management Studio for the Database Engine.
Citizen Scientists
The increasing power and shrinking size of computing devices means that more and more people can gather and analyze data. Steve Jones talks about some opportunities.
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
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...
Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Detecting Deadlocks Quickly
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