I was reading an article over the weekend where the author pointed out that the standard naming convention for SQL Server database files was .MDF for the data file, LDF for the log file and NDF for additional data files. This was good stuff so far, then the author stated that these can be changed […]
Category: SQL Tuning
Turn on Instant File Initialization for SQL Server Performance – With Video Demo
Without Instant File Initialization turned on, each time a data file on SQL Server 2005 and above is created or has to grow in size, the file or portion of the file added must be zeroed out. Depending on the size of the file this can be a very time consuming task. By turning on […]
Turn on Instant File Initialization for SQL Server Performance
Without Instant File Initialization turned on, each time a data file on SQL Server 2005 and above is created or has to grow in size, the file or portion of the file added must be zeroed out. Depending on the size of the file this can be a very time consuming task. By turning on […]
SQL Server Login Auditing
In recent months I have been asked to ensure we are auditing both successful and failed logins, not just failed logins. It is simple enough to open SSMS, connect to the instance, right click on the server, chose properties, click on security and then check the proper radio button. When putting together or most recent […]
Increase SQL Server Error Log Files
Recently I learned that you can and probably should increase the number of SQL Server Error logs that your instance of SQL Server maintains. This is real simple to change. You can make the change via the GUI with a few simple steps or accomplish it with TSQL. To make this change with SSMS, open […]
RedGate SQL Index Manager BETA
I recently attended the first micro training event with Red Gate where Grant Fritchey demonstrated a BETA tool called SQL Index Manager. This tool is aimed at the accidental DBA or for those like me who are just lazy. 🙂 It is basically a nice GUI to return your index fragmentation level and makes a […]
Shrinking Transaction Logs
I see questions on forums all the time about DBA’s or System Admins finding they are out of drive space due to a very large transaction log. Post vary a bit on what the admin has tried but a common theme is that they have tried shrinking the file but it didn’t shrink and a […]
Learning Transactional Replication
I have been working on a new skill this week and that is implementing transactional replication. I am of course doing all this testing and learning on a development system and thank goodness I am. I have found all kind of little nuances with getting this setup. A fun error I came across today after […]