In a previous blog post, I’ve demonstrated how to install and configure a 2-node SQL Server 2012 failover clustered instance (FCI.) As a follow-up, below is a video on how to install and configure a multi-subnet/geographically dispersed SQL Server 2012 (and higher) FCI. When SQL Server 2012 introduced the support for multi-subnet clustering, there have been […]
PostSQL Server Encrypted Backups: Transparent Data Encryption or Backup Encryption
This particular question came up while I was delivering a workshop last week on the new features in SQL Server 2014. Since transparent data encryption has been available since SQL Server 2008, why would I still need the backup encryption feature? For one, transparent data encryption is an Enterprise Edition-only feature whereas backup encryption exists in […]
PostRegularly Treat Your Databases to a S.P.A.
“Today’s DBAs have responsibilities that go far beyond their traditional role of data custodian.” I was reading an infographic that Idera published about their accidental DBA survey results and wasn’t surprised at all by the results. I considered myself an accidental DBA when I was starting out in the industry. And I can […]
PostIn-Memory OLTP in SQL Server: Logging Comparison with Disk-Based Tables
In a previous blog post, I talked about Partition-Level Online Index Operations in SQL Server 2014 and how it affects high availability and disaster recovery. With more features being added in every new version of SQL Server, it’s important to understand how its implementation will affect your overall objectives. One feature that got a lot […]
PostFrom Backup Tape to Microsoft Azure
“Only wimps use tape backup: REAL men just upload their important stuff on ftp, and let the rest of the world mirror it” – Linus Torvalds – I really don’t have a clue whether that quote was intended as a joke or not but that’s beside the point. If you’ve worked in the IT industry for a […]
PostUsing the Cluster Preparation Checklist for Deploying SQL Server Failover Clustered Instances and Always On Availability Groups
Failing to plan is planning to fail Designing and deploying high availability solutions takes a lot of preparation and planning. Whenever I do presentations that involve demos of creating SQL Server failover clustered instances (FCIs) and Availability Groups (AGs,) I emphasize that while the demo only takes less than 20 minutes to complete, it takes […]
PostPartition-Level Online Index Operations in SQL Server 2014 and its Impact in HA/DR
One of the cool features introduced in SQL Server 2014 was the ability to perform an online index rebuild of a single partition. Prior to SQL Server 2014, the only way to rebuild indexes for a partitioned table was to do it on all of the partitions (or, simply put, rebuild the entire index on […]
PostWhy We Need To Understand How Active Directory Affects SQL Server High Availability
But I’ll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything. – Alan Watts – WARNING: There will be a ton of acronyms in this blog post. Make sure to keep your notebook handy for note-taking […]
PostVideo: Simplify Installation of a 2-node SQL Server Failover Clustered Instance on Windows Server 2012 (and higher versions)
I like writing step-by-step guides because they make good documentation for folks like me who keep forgetting how to do things. The guide makes the process repeatable and can easily be shared with junior members of your team. But with the different ways we consume information nowadays, written documentation does not suffice anymore. Besides, providing different […]
PostSo, You Think Your SQL Server Always On Availability Group Is Really Highly Available?
This is a question that I regularly ask those attending my high availability and disaster recovery presentations: is your SQL Server Always On Availability Group really highly available? Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the Always On Availability Groups feature in SQL Server (except for the price tag of an Enterprise Edition license.) But […]
