SQL Server Blog

CONTROL SERVER Permissions Are the Hidden SQL Server Superpower [30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days]

June 3, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. The … Read more

Your Biggest SQL Server Security Vulnerability Is Your sysadmin Role Members [30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days]

June 2, 2024

This post is part of our SQL Server security blog series, 30 SQL Server Security Checks in 30 Days. We’re publishing a new security check every day in the month of June. Visit our sp_CheckSecurity page to learn about our free SQL Server tool you can download and run to check your own server. It … Read more

free sql server dba tool sp_CheckSecurity

SQL Server Tool Update: sp_CheckSecurity version 1.1

May 31, 2024

Since releasing our initial version of sp_CheckSecurity, we have received quite a bit of feedback. Thank you for all the emails, blog comments, and issues noted in GitHub, that have all been helpful in directing us towards making this SQL Server tool more useful. Today we are announcing the release of version 1.1, available for download … Read more

How to Troubleshoot SQL Server With PowerShell.

April 25, 2024

PowerShell is an essential tool for SQL Server database administrators looking to streamline their workflow and automate repetitive tasks. When it comes to troubleshooting your SQL Server instances, PowerShell is an essential tool for the DBA toolbox. As a versatile scripting language and command-line shell, PowerShell enables seamless integration of commands, arguments, variables, and modules … Read more

free sql server dba tool sp_CheckSecurity

Introducing sp_CheckSecurity

April 17, 2024

Are your SQL Servers secure? With new threats to your data emerging daily, it’s a difficult question to answer. And what is even included in the word “secure”? Sure, maybe you’re confident you have security against hacking (or maybe not?), but what about internal security? Are you protected against oops moments? Are there elevated permissions … Read more

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Building a Consultancy: More Principles

February 26, 2024

A couple of weeks ago, I started blogging about part of the journey of creating our SQL Server Consulting firm. I may someday work on more posts on the journey from full-time DBA to doing some side work to leaving with an “anchor client” to going off on my own (and my adventures with Linchpin … Read more

sql server consultancy core values guiding principles

Building a SQL Server Consultancy

February 12, 2024

Principles and Values First In 2011, I set out to be an independent SQL Server consultant. At the time, if you told me I’d be looking back 13 years later as a “CEO” of a SQL Server Consulting practice with a team of 17+ FTEs serving 120+ Managed SQL Server DBA as a Service clients, … Read more

How to Optimize SQL Server Performance by Separating Workloads

How to Optimize SQL Server Performance by Separating Workloads

January 25, 2024

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

how to audit sql server database backup chains

Audit Your Database Backup Chain!

October 30, 2023

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

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