VMware and SQL Server Best Practices.
December 3, 2020
Update Note (October 2025): This post was originally written in December 2020 and remains technically sound. I’ve updated it with current context about the VMware landscape, refreshed the monitoring tool references, and expanded the snapshot guidance based on what we continue to see in the field. If you’re evaluating alternatives to VMware, check out our
Hey DBAs, Don’t Be Like the Secret Service!
October 1, 2014
Last week, I ripped a story from the headlines to draw lessons for Technologists from – it was about the Secret Service lapses that allowed a fence jumper to get into the threshold of the White House residence. That was bad. This week, though, we’ve learned of some additions to the story that makes it
SQLU DBA Week – Set It And….
March 2, 2011
Welcome to the third day of DBA week at SQL University. On day one, I kicked off the “back to basics” journey I’ve chosen for fellow students with my post reminding you that you’re only as good as your ability to restore. Microsoft Certified Master Robert Davis brought us a good reminder on Day 2
Prof. SQL Server 2008 Internals & Troubleshooting
October 12, 2010
This book needs to be in your library. ...
SQL 2008 R2 LoadFest – Session Notes
September 25, 2010
I spoke today at the SQL Server 2008 R2 Load Fest put on by Andy Novick of Novick Software. Great turnout, and it is always fun to see so many folks working together on the task of figuring out the nuances of SQL Server installations together. Also good to see that you were able to
Hey Software Vendors – Get a Clue!
July 2, 2010
Psst. Hey Vendor – DBAs are secretly plotting against you! We hate what your products do to our environments. Sometimes we even work to get you replaced by someone else who makes a product in the same space but is “DBA-Approved”… (Quick Edit March of 2021). In the time since writing this post, I’ve grown
Why Hire A SQL Server DBA?
May 24, 2010
Why would anyone hire a DBA? Isn't SQL Set-It-And-Forget-It?
What Service Pack Are Your Client Tools At?
April 27, 2010
So you have a plan to apply service packs to your SQL instances. You test them out and try to keep a regular schedule to ensure they are up to date. That is great. What About SQL Server Management Studio? What about the copy of SSMS that a developer is using to create scripts? This
Day Job Lessons From The Garden
April 23, 2010
It’s spring and in addition to our usual vegetable garden and some existing fruit crops, we are putting in a row of 15 blueberry bushes. Well the past two nights I’ve been outside for 3-4 hours digging a trench (about 40′ long by 2.5′ wide and 1′ deep. right, I said feet.) by hand and
How do -you- install SQL Server? (Part 3)
November 30, 2009
Welcome to part 3 in this series on a thought process around SQL Server Installation. In Part 1, we started talking about some basic steps and a thought process for a repeatable success story with your SQL Server installations. Part 2 discussed security, playing around before doing a first install and smoke testing afterwards. Today