Author: Peter Whyte

  • “Content from the website listed below is being blocked” on Windows Server

    When managing a Windows Server, you may encounter the message:“Content from the website listed below is being blocked by the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration.” This occurs because Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration (IE ESC) is enabled by default on Windows Server to protect against malicious websites and…

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  • Creating a Linked Server for a PostgreSQL Database

    This is a post on how to create a Linked Server to a PostgreSQL database. In my previous post, I created a Linked Server to another SQL Server instance. This time, it’s a link to a Postgres database. I recommend checking out my other post for pre-requisite information…

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  • Creating a Linked Server to SQL Server

    Linked Servers in SQL Server allow you to query external databases, such as remote SQL Server instances, Oracle, ODBC or MS Access databases. It provides easy query access to another database server for users, however it’s not the most efficient ways to do it. The following steps should…

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  • Database Growth Events in SQL Server

    When a database file reaches its maximum allocated size, a growth event is triggered to expand the file and allow for more data storage. The size of these growth events can be configured in the database options or by using the ALTER DATABASE statement, as demonstrated below. Properly…

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  • Setting Maximum Database File Sizes in SQL Server

    This post shares how to set maximum database file sizes in SQL Server, capping your database file size limits for proper disk space management. Configuring maximum database file sizes in SQL Server is often considered a safeguard or tactical measure rather than a primary strategy. Ideally, you want…

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  • Updating Help Documentation in PowerShell

    Keeping your PowerShell help documentation up to date ensures you always have the latest guidance and reference materials for installed modules. The Update-Help cmdlet allows you to download and install the most recent help files, but you may encounter an access denied error if PowerShell is not run…

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  • How to Move Temp DB Files in SQL Server

    It’s a solid best practice to store temp db files on a separate drive, away from your C: drive. This is because temp db can grow very large, very quickly, sometimes within minutes depending on workloads. This growth affects both the temp db data (.ndf) and log (.ldf)…

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  • The SSMS Import Flat File Feature

    The Import Flat File feature within SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) was introduced in December 2017 (14.0.17213.0). This is a streamlined version of the Import Data feature and it minimises the user intervention during a file import. Unlike the Import data feature, you don’t have the option to…

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  • Attaching SQL Databases Without Log Files

    In a perfect world, you’d never lose a database log file. But when the unexpected happens and you urgently need the data from a database, knowing how to attach a SQL Server database without its log (.ldf) file can be a lifesaver. This guide walks you through the…

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  • SQL Server Backup & Restore WITH FILE Option

    When you back up a SQL Server database, multiple backups can be stored in a single file. The WITH FILE = X option allows you to choose a specific backup version from a single backup file. Here’s what happens: – WITH FILE = 1: Restores the first backup…

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