There are some operations that we execute in SQL Server which need exclusive access to the database. For everyone who has ever attempted this, I’m sure they’ve seen an error like this at least once. There are a couple of ways to…
Often I need to examine an execution plan from a production server. Just as often, I can’t re-run the stored procedure in that environment. There are several techniques for simulating the environment on a test server such as exporting statistics…
Last week I promised a post on enabling PowerShell Remoting when we discussed automating service account password updates. So, let’s break down the two methods. First we have the manual method. For this, all you need to do is remote…
I am a believer that regular rotation of passwords is an important security measure. I worked at an organization that, when they were small, would use the SQL Server database engine service account to run SQL Agent jobs and other…
Today I had an odd experience with installing Windows Server 2012 R2. I downloaded the ISO from the MSDN subscriber’s downloads. Then I got the product key from the same line item on the download page, this makes me assume…
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 SP2 is now available Build number: 11.0.5058.0 Microsoft SQL Server 2012 service packs are cumulative updates and upgrade all editions and service levels of SQL Server 2012 to SP2. This service pack contains up to and including…
SQL Server 2014 Cumulative Update #1 is Available Microsoft has released Cumulative Update #1 for SQL Server 2014. KB Article: KB #2931693 114 fixes listed at time of publication (121 total) Build number is 12.0.2342 Relevant for @@VERSION 12.0.2000 through 12.0.2341…
It seems that, of the DBAs who use FILESTREAM, it is common to ask, “why do I have more file system objects then I have rows with BLOB columns?” This question inevitably bring us to the topic of the garbage…
Today, Microsoft announced that SQL Server 2014 RTM will be generally available on April 1st, 2014. In addition to this wonderful piece of information; Quentin Clark (Corporate Vice President, Data Platform Group), Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and COO Kevin Turner…
From blogs.msdb.com: Dear Customers, The 11th cumulative update release for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2 is now available for download at the Microsoft Support site. Cumulative Update 11 contains all the SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2 hotfixes which have been available since the initial release of…