How to Optimize SQL Server Performance by Separating Workloads

How to Optimize SQL Server Performance by Separating Workloads

I wrote this to share a series of scripts that help identify if workloads are appropriately separated on the SQL Server host. The main reason we look for this is to avoid I/O contention and waits, which is a challenge that can significantly impact performance. If you are unsure if your server is experiencing I/O … Read more

Audit Your Database Backup Chain!

how to audit sql server database backup chains

All database administrators know that safeguarding data is paramount and having a strong restore strategy is crucial. In this post, I would like to add another tool to your arsenal that I have found helpful in auditing server health and configurations as it pertains to backups and the backup chain. A backup chain is important … Read more

Is Your SQL Server Ready for a Compliance Audit?

Compliance audits ensure that organizations adhere to regulatory guidelines, industry standards, and internal policies. As SQL Server DBAs, you can be prepared for most audits if you already check all of the boxes outlined in this blog post. Each of these points could be its own blog posts, so take your time as you go … Read more

Essential Database Maintenance Tasks Every DBA Should Know

sql server maintenance tasks every dba sould know

Database maintenance is a critical aspect of the DBA role, ensuring the smooth operation of SQL Server environments. In this blog post, we will explore key tasks and areas of focus for SQL Server DBAs, accompanied by practical tips and insights gained from our experience. From backup and recovery to performance optimization and security, let’s … Read more

How UNsafe Is Your SQL Server? – Vulnerability Assessment and Access Audit

SQL Server is a repository of critical data, attracting potential threats from malicious individuals seeking financial gains. As a SQL Server DBA, it is essential to assess the security vulnerabilities of your SQL Server and perform an access audit to ensure the safety of your data SQL Server Vulnerability Scan I recommend you start with … Read more

How to Enable Transparent Data Encryption for Databases in Your Availability Group

Transparent data encryption is the built-in method for at-rest data encryption in SQL Server. Taking steps towards security has always been important, but it is becoming even more important every day as there is a looming cyber threat industry hungry for easy high-profit data. We should also remember that not all threats are from the … Read more

How to Provision a Low-Cost SQL 2022 Testing Lab

This month we will be covering some features in SQL 2022. Specifically, I will create a new SQL 2022 Development instance and connect it to Azure Arc. Azure Arc is not primarily for SQL 2022, but connecting it to on-premises and cross-cloud SQL servers is a very useful skill to have for managing hybrid environments, … Read more