Analysis Services Command Job Step Failure
March 5, 2009
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
Where do I start?!?!
March 5, 2009
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
What SQL instances are installed on my network?
February 25, 2009
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.
Shrinking is a popular topic…
January 31, 2009
When I started blogging, my first posts were on shrinking. That's still a popular search. Why?
Do you focus too much on your backups???
January 14, 2009
Have you lost your mind?! What could I possibly mean by that title? I’m a DBA… One of the basic tenets of a DBA is “backup, backup, backup”, right? Well sort of… Far too often I hear people asking questions like “will this setup allow our backups to be fast?”, “how is your backup process
Old Dog? New Tricks..
January 11, 2009
Reading a blog this week, I learned quite a few new tips and tricks about SQL Server Management Studio. Incremental Serach (No annoying search window pop-up and searches as you type), replace within files from SSMS!!, Block Selects and Moves for the T-SQL Code formatting OCDers (like me). Check it out and add Aaron to
Don’t Touch that SQL ServerShrink Database Button!
January 7, 2009
Updated [2016] This post continues to be a popular destination for searches like “How do I shrink a database?”  I made some copy edits. I also wanted to reiterate a default position: It isn’t usually a good idea to shrink your SQL Server database. There are exceptions, but they are exceptions. This post is part 1 in a series