Author: Peter Whyte


  • How to Apply Force Encryption in SQL Server

    If you’re planning to allow external connections to a SQL Server, one of the first security measures to implement is encryption, both at rest and in transit. SQL Server provides an option to force encryption for all connections, ensuring secure SQL connectivity. This guide walks you through the…

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  • Include Execution Trace Messages in SQL Server Error Logs

    Execution trace messages in SQL Server Agent error logs can be helpful for diagnosing issues. This guide explains how to enable this option. Logs are always important if you’re supporting systems. The SQL Server Agent is used very often by DBA’s and Software Devs, so writing execution trace…

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  • Backing up a SQL Server Database with Encryption

    Backing up a SQL Server database with encryption is an essential practice when dealing with sensitive data, particularly if backups are stored off-site or include private customer information. SQL Server provides a secure method to back up databases using encryption by specifying an encryption certificate with the BACKUP…

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  • How to Backup a SQL Server Certificate

    Backing up SQL Server certificates is essential if you use them, especially for encrypted database backups that may need restoration on another server. This guide explains how to securely back up a SQL Server certificate and its private key. Backing up a SQL Server Certificate 1. Check Existing…

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  • Running PowerShell Scripts as Scheduled Tasks in Windows

    When you need to schedule tasks in Windows, Task Scheduler is the tool for the job. Running PowerShell (.ps1) scripts as Scheduled Tasks differs from running standard batch (.bat) scripts. I often find myself needing a refresher on the process, so I decided to document it in this…

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  • 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,…

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  • How to Install SQL Server on Linux

    As from SQL Server 2017, we now have support for running our favorite RDMS on Linux, as well as Windows! This guide walks you through installing SQL Server 2019 on Red Hat Linux, setting up command-line tools, and connecting both locally and remotely. Hope it helps! Topics Included:…

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  • 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…

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  • 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.…

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