Checklists, Recipes and Algorithms

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What do checklists, recipes or algorithms have to do with Database Administration? A lot… If we study a few career paths we can see how a checklist or process flow  makes their lives easier. I love stealing ideas from everyday life, working them into something useful for my DBA career and I think we have … Read more

Analysis Services Command Job Step Failure

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Just uncovered an already reported and fixed (in SQL Server 2008) bug with Analysis Services job steps reporting success even if your MDX or XMLA in the step failed. The troubleshooting that worked up to the issue also reiterates points I made when discussing troubleshooting methodologies and empirical evidence. The Problem Some changes were made … Read more

Where do I start?!?!

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As a SQL Server DBA, where do I start? So you are a new DBA. Maybe you are someplace that hasn’t had a DBA, maybe you are someplace that didn’t have a great DBA. Requests are piling up, your head is spinning with the instances you are discovering and people are getting excited that there … Read more

What SQL instances are installed on my network?

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Find All SQL Server Instances On Your Network! It’s been awhile since a tool has given me that giddy, starstruck feeling but it’s happened this week… If you ever struggle with instance discovery and management, I hope you get excited and try this tool out as well. Bear with me as I walk through it. … Read more

First Computer(s)

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So the tagging phenomenon continues. I was tagged by Michelle Ufford (Twitter, Blog) in a meme that was started by Dennis Gobo (Twitter, Blog) asking the question about your first computer(s) and top 3 favorite games. My very first computer at home was the TRS-80 Color Computer 2 That’s right. There isn’t a monitor. You … Read more

Just add a join hint!

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When I posted about Empirical Evidence and finding a Troubleshooting Methodology, I talked about implementing a solution just because it seemed to work. This can manifest itself in different ways. Some are alright and harmless (what your shotgun hit happened to be the right fix) and some can be dangerous and hide the real problem. … Read more