As SQL Server 2005 approaches the end of its support next year, customers can start planning for upgrading their databases to SQL Server 2014. In a previous blog post, I talked about how to integrate Microsoft Product Lifecycle and Support Policies into IT Operations which concluded with planning upgrades and migration based on the version […]
PostVideo: Designing a SQL Server Always On Availability Groups Topology
As you go thru different phases in your career as a SQL Server professional, you progress from being a technician (primary task is more focused on operations) to a designer/architect (primary task is focused on designing a solution and eventually assists in building it.) A technician will be more concerned about a single aspect of a […]
PostResources: Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) for SQL Server DBAs
Last week at Live360, I have had the opportunity to deliver my workshop on Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) for SQL Server DBAs. The workshop was based on an online course that I am about to re-release. One of the things I like about delivering presentations is that I learn a lot from the attendees […]
PostBefore You Go Down The Rabbit Hole
One of my favorite topics in SQL Server is transaction log internals. When I first got started with SQL Server, I thought all I needed to do with the transaction log was to run regular log backups to make sure they don’t grow unexpectedly. Until I realized that there was more to it than I knew. […]
PostThe Truth About SQL Server Backup Verification Using The GUI
I recently had a conversation with a SQL Server DBA about making sure that backups do work as expected. And while I try not to use scary tactics to convince people to change their way of thinking, this particular example needed it. I’ve written a blog post about why I don’t trust the “Verify […]
PostDefense In Depth and Why Proactive Security Should Be Included In Every High Availability Strategy
In a previous blog post, I talked about the three key aspects of managing your databases – security, performance and availability. I call it “taking your databases to a S.P.A.” In the blog post, I referred to an infographic that Idera published about their accidental DBA survey results, highlighting how security and availability are not getting […]
PostHow To Enable Transparent Data Encryption In An Existing SQL Server Always On Availability Group
I’ve deployed several SQL Server Always On Availability Groups in the past with high availability being the primary requirement. In some environments, there is a requirement to protect sensitive data for security and compliance reasons. Back in 2013, I had a customer who wanted to implement Always On Availability Groups for their databases. They were moving their […]
PostThe R.A.P. Way To Monitor SQL Server Always On Availability Groups
I started this series of blog post by providing a framework and a methodology for properly monitoring your IT assets. I then described why having a baseline helps provide a frame of reference for any monitoring solution. In this blog post, let’s apply those concepts in monitoring SQL Server Always On Availability Groups since […]
PostThe Value of Defining a Baseline
In a previous blog post, I wrote about why it is important to have a methodology in place for monitoring your IT assets. In this blog post, I’ll discuss what a baseline is and why it matters. Two years ago, I’ve switched my car insurance provider in an attempt to lower down my monthly […]
PostWhy IT Professionals Need To Learn R.A.P. Monitoring
As an IT professional – whether you be a database administrator, a systems engineer, a storage administrator, a network administrator, developer, etc. – the one thing that we need to get a good grasp on in our day-to-day task is MONITORING. Whether we like it or not, monitoring is part of our daily life. I […]
