Author: Peter Whyte

  • How to Check Features Installed in SQL Server

    This guide explains how to check which features are installed on a SQL Server instance. When downgrading from SQL Server Enterprise to Standard, checking the installed features is crucial to ensure compatibility and avoid losing critical functionality. Some Enterprise features may not be available in the Standard edition,…

    Read More


  • Installing SQL Server on Linux

    A post on installing SQL Server on Linux, following the Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Guide (Red Hat). > 1. Install SQL Server.> 2. Install the SQL Server Command-Line Tools.> 3. Connect to SQL Server Locally.> 4. Connect to SQL Server Remotely. 1. Install SQL Server 1. Get connected…

    Read More


  • How to Install Firewalld on Linux

    Firewalld is a firewall management tool that simplifies rule configuration for Linux systems. It dynamically manages firewall rules, supports zone-based configurations, and integrates with D-Bus. In this post I’m showing how to install Firewalld on an Amazon Linux 2 EC2 Instance. Hope you find this useful! Installing Firewalld…

    Read More


  • How to Enable TCP/IP Connections in SQL Server

    Some network protocols, like TCP/IP, are disabled by default in SQL Server. To allow TCP connections, you need to enable them and restart the SQL Server service. Here’s a simple guide to do this via GUI & command: :> Option 1: Enable TCP/IP via SQL Server Configuration Manager.…

    Read More


  • What’s New in the SQL Server 2019 Installation Wizard

    SQL Server 2019 was released on November 4, 2019, at Microsoft Ignite, following months of testing with release candidates. In this post, I’ll share my experience with the SQL Server 2019 installation wizard, highlighting key features and improvements that will be useful for DBAs. Key Features of SQL…

    Read More


  • Domain Join Sanity Checks

    In order to join a Windows Server to a domain, you may need to request that the network team open certain firewall rules. The network requirements for this process can be complex and may vary depending on your specific environment. After joining a domain, especially in a new…

    Read More


  • How to Create MySQL Databases & Tables

    Setting up MySQL databases and tables is a foundational skill for database administrators and developers. Whether you’re using Windows, Linux, or a cloud environment, this guide is aimed to help you create databases and tables in MySQL. Topics covered: > Create a MySQL Database> The USE DATABASE Command>…

    Read More


  • How to Remove Old Windows Upgrade Files

    When your machine is upgraded to a newer version of Windows, it leaves behind the C:\Windows.old directory. This folder contains backups of the previous Windows version and can take up significant disk space. Important Note:The Windows.old folder allows you to roll back to the previous Windows version. If…

    Read More


  • How to Install MySQL on a Windows Computer

    Installing MySQL on a Windows computer is a straightforward process, however selecting the right options is key for a smooth setup. This is a simple how to for installing MySQL Community Server and MySQL Workbench on Windows. I recommend you walk through this yourself if learning MySQL and…

    Read More


  • Running Scheduled Tasks in SQL Server Express

    Running scheduled tasks in SQL Server Express requires an alternative approach since this edition lacks SQL Server Agent. Tasks like index maintenance, backups, or other recurring operations can be scheduled using Windows Task Scheduler. Below is a straightforward method to set up and execute such tasks using sqlcmd…

    Read More