SQL DBA Blog

Microsoft SQL DBA Blog

Published by Peter Whyte, an experienced SQL Server Database Administrator.

  • 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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  • How to Set Database Growth Sizes in SQL Server

    In SQL Server, database growth events occur when a database file reaches its maximum allocated size, triggering an automatic expansion to accommodate additional data. These growth events are needed for maintaining sufficient space but can also lead to performance issues if not properly managed. Configuring a good database…

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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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  • SSMS Import Flat File Feature

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

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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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  • Applying Data Retention to a SQL Table

    In SQL Server, there’s often a need to delete old data from a database table. This could be for reasons like adhering to GDPR policies, managing oversized tables that are slowing down operations, staying within SQL Server Express’s 10GB limit, or simply cleaning up application logs and errors.…

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Useful SQL DBA Posts

SQL Server Performance
– Get Full SQL Server System Info Fast
– Quick Performance Troubleshooting Scripts
– Identify Missing & Unused Indexes
– Get Wait Stats & Top Consuming Queries
– Get Exclusive Locks on Tables
– Get Last Node Blip in SQL Server FCI
Security & Maintenance
– Get Estimated Database Backup/Restore Time
– Get Last Database Backup Dates/Times
– Get Database Sizes & Space Used
– How to Get Table Sizes
– Get Index & Heap Fragmentation Levels
– Get SQL User Permissions and Roles
– Creating SQL Users on Availability Groups
– Audit Failed Login Attempts

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Always On Availability Groups (AAG) (4) AWS (4) AWS Redshift (6) Database Admin (72) Database Backups & Recovery (14) Database Mirroring (2) Error Messages (5) Failover Cluster Instances (FCI) (1) Git Commands (6) Importing & Exporting Data (2) Linked Servers (3) Linux Administration (2) Logging & Monitoring (1) Microsoft Patching (2) MySQL (4) Postgres (6) PowerShell Scripts (2) SQL Certificates & Encryption (3) SQL Server Agent (5) SQL Server CDC (2) SQL Server Data Types (2) SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) (17) SQL Server Networking (3) SQL Server on Linux (1) SQL Server Patching (2) SQL Server Performance Tuning (6) SQL Server Processes (SPIDs) (7) SQL Server Replication (2) SQL Server Scripts (13) SQL Server Security (4) SQL Server Storage (10) Windows Admin (20) Windows Authentication (2) Windows Automation (1) Windows Events (2) Windows Firewall (4) Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) (18)