SQL Server Blog

SQL Server Security Audits – A Confession

by Mike Walsh | Oct 18, 2017 | SQL Server Security | 5 Comments

When clients need help, bugs require patching and production deadlines loom large, it's easy to think that cutting a few corners is the "right thing" to do. I've done it, and I'm willing to bet that many of you have as well. Doing so puts the security of your...

A Couple Lessons in Leadership from the Fire Service

by Mike Walsh | Oct 14, 2017 | Professional Development | 0 Comments

I normally don't wear hats. But when I do, I own a few. There's the sun-proof hat while doing chores on the tractor and the ball cap when I go to the beach with the family. Or the Husqvarna safety helmet when cutting all the firewood we use to heat the house on the...

Relativity SQL Server – What I Wish You Know

by Mike Walsh | Oct 13, 2017 | SQL Server Performance | 0 Comments

We've been working with Relativity for at least 4 or 5 years now here at Straight Path. Helping clients with their Relativity SQL Server environments. Helping folks get the most performance out of their Relativity SQL Servers. Running our SQL Server Health Checks for...

How to Choose a SQL Server Health Check

by Mike Walsh | Oct 12, 2017 | SQL Server Health Check | 2 Comments

You already know how important it is to perform a SQL Server health check. That's why you're reading this. The question isn't whether to do one but, "How?" In this article, I'll discuss the pros and cons of the following options: Roll your own Download free scripts...

Azure SQL DB: A Guided Tour at MS Ignite

by Mike Walsh | Sep 25, 2017 | Azure, DataExcursions, speaking | 0 Comments

Hey! Thanks for coming to my community theater session today at 4:05 (Don't worry, I'm posting this ahead of time, if you're seeing this, you haven't missed the session) about Azure SQL DB!! I told you I'd throw a quick post up with some resources, next steps and...

New Video: PASS Summit Networking with Tim Mitchell

by Mike Walsh | Sep 22, 2017 | Community, DataExcursions, PASS | 0 Comments

What are you doing at the end of October this year? Nothing?! It's not too late to sign up to go to the biggest annual SQL Server conference there is - the PASS Summit. It's, as it often is, in Seattle this year. I'll be speaking there - giving a talk on Azure SQL...

The Parable of the “Turd in the Punch Bowl”

by Mike Walsh | Aug 23, 2017 | Career, Professional Development | 0 Comments

Lessons for life, technologists, career, and consultants from a punch bowl problem...(mostly because I just feel this title requires a subtitle and that won't fit in the title block). I've heard it said There are two kinds of people out there. Those who group people...

Important Lesson during a Job Interview – #TSQL2SDay

by Mike Walsh | Aug 8, 2017 | Uncategorized | 6 Comments

This month, Kendra Little his hosting T-SQL Tuesday. The monthly blog carnival among SQL Server, Microsoft Data Platform, Data People. It's been around for quite some time. I hosted the 4th T-SQL Tuesday back in 2010 or 2009 about Storage and IO. So cool to see it...

“Ex-Admin Deletes All Customer Data and Wipes Servers”

by Mike Walsh | Jun 10, 2017 | SQL Server DBA, Straight Up SQL Server Tips, Syndicate | 6 Comments

My headline is borrowed from a headline on bleepingcomputer.com. This just happened to a Dutch hosting provider in 2017. You can read the article. Actually, you must read the article. If you didn't here's the basic gist: An administrator quits or was fired or...

Hey Techies – Get Out of Debt

by Mike Walsh | Jun 2, 2017 | Career, DBA, Life Lessons | 2 Comments

How do you eat an elephant? I'll tell you at the end if you don't already know. In the meantime let's talk about another elephant - the one in the room - you are in debt. In some way, you're probably in debt right now. Maybe you owe to student loan or credit card...