First, the Good News I really like the free SQL Server utility from Quest Software, nicknamed "Disco", that enables you to discover and inventory all versions and editions of Microsoft SQL Server from the mid-1990's onward. You can see what it does at http://questkb.com/category/sqlserver/discovery-wizard/. I've had a lot of customers who have faced the challenge of bringing an unwieldy and chaotically growing SQL Server infrastructure to heel. It can be really daunting in a big enterprise trying to find all of the SQL Servers tucked behind third-party applications, Microsoft … [Read more...]
What’s Up With Discovery Wizard for SQL Server?
Filed Under: Challenges, SQL Server, Tips & Tricks, Tool Time Tagged With: DBA, Quest Software, Tools, Tools & Scripts
Video: Interview – Part 3 Cross-Platform Issues
Heather Eichman interviews Kevin Kline, the former President of PASS and systems specialist for the SQL Server Business Unit at Quest Software. Posted January 31, 2008. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Cool Technologies, Databases, Interviews, Opinion, SQL Server, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Strategies, Video Tagged With: DBA, Oracle, SQL Server 2005, Video
Efficiency and Effectiveness at Work [Video]
In this vblog entry on www.SQLServerPedia.com shows SQL Server expert Kevin Kline discussing his views on how to be both efficient and effective in your day to day and career - aimed at the SQL Server professional, but good for anyone. Originally posted August 08, 2008. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Opinion, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Video Tagged With: Career, Management, Plays Well With Others, Professional Development, Video
DBTA: The NoSQL Movement- Hype or Hope?
If you spend any time at all reading IT trade journals and websites, you've no doubt heard about the NoSQL movement. In a nutshell, NoSQL databases (also called post-relational databases) are a variety of loosely grouped means of storing data without requiring the SQL language. Of course, we've had non-relational databases far longer than we've had actual relational databases. Anyone who's used products like IBM's Lotus Notes can point to a popular non-relational database. However, part and parcel of the NoSQL movement is the idea that the data repositories can horizontally scale with … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Cloud, Databases, DBTA, NoSQL, Opinion, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Trends Tagged With: Azure, cloud computing, DBA, DBTA, Developer, FutureWatch, news analysis, Web Development
Video: Data Modeling in the SQL Server Space
Join SQL Server MVP and President of PASS, Kevin Kline as he: * Identifies the issues that can arise from relying only on modeling tools * Discusses the 10 most common modeling issues you will face when transforming data models from logical (conceptual) to physical * Describes how to correctly identify and resolve serious problems * Provides best practices to resolve issues Posted June 14, 2007. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Databases, Presentations, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Tool Time, Video Tagged With: Data Modeling, Database Architect, Database Design, DBA, Normalization, Tools, Video
DBTA: Forecasting SQL Server in 2010
After the misery that was 2009, most of the SQL Server users I talk to are happy that 2010 started in languid fashion. Not that there isn't a lot of work to do; on the contrary, there's more work than ever. However, the long hours and multiple projects of 2009, compounded by freezes in all levels of spending, raised the general stress level to unhealthy heights. With the new year, stress levels dropped significantly, and many IT leaders see signs of improving prospects. What does that bode for 2010? I have a couple of predictions, though I doubt they'll surprise many people. [READ … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Cloud, Databases, DBTA, Opinion, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post, Trends Tagged With: Azure, DBA, DBTA, Developer, news analysis, SQL Server 2008 R2
Microsoft SQL Server High-Availability Videos and Q&A Log
You Want Videos? We Got Videos! I always enjoy getting the chance to catch up with author, consultant, and Microsoft Clustering MVP Allan Hirt. Allan and I recently presented two sessions covering an overview of high availability in Microsoft SQL Server and, the following week, a demo of how to implement several different kinds of high availability techniques including database mirroring, transactional replication, and Windows clustering services. You can see videos of these presentations at the Quest Software Pain of the Week webcast site. Archives of other videos are here. We're … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Databases, On-Line Resources, Performance, SQL Server, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Tips & Tricks, Video Tagged With: Best Practices, Database Mirroring, DBA, High Availability, SQL Server 2008 R2, Tools & Scripts, Video, Windows Clustering
Video: SQL Server Memory Troubleshooting
Need to troubleshoot SQL Server 2005 memory settings? Not sure where to look to measure SQL 2000 memory pressure? Kevin lays out your options in today's podcast. You can view this video in higher quality or your favorite portable formats at: http://sqlserverpedia.com/blog/sql-se... Video published December 24, 2008. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Challenges, Opinion, Performance, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Strategies, Video Tagged With: DBA, DMV, Internals, Performance, SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2005, Video
DBTA: What’s the Fuss about Data Deduplication?
Listen to a group of database professionals talk for awhile and someone will eventually bring up the topic of data deduplication. Data deduplication is a means to eliminate redundant data, either through hardware or software technologies. To illustrate, imagine you've drafted a new project plan and sent it to five teammates asking for input. That single file has now been reproduced, in identical bits and bytes, on a total of six computers. If everyone's email inbox is backed up every night, that's another six copies backed up on the email backup server. Through data deduplication … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Administration, BigData, Challenges, DBTA, Hardware, IO, Opinion, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Trends Tagged With: DBA, DBTA, High Availability, Internals, Performance, SQL Server 2008 R2
TN Summit 2010 – Surviving the Data Avalanche
Here's the link to my revamped presentation on Surviving the Data Avalanche The Abstract for this presentation is here. The slides for this presentation are here. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: BigData, Challenges, Databases, IO, Performance, Presentations, SQL Server, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Strategies, Trends, Video Tagged With: Best Practices, DBA, Internals, Performance, SQL Server 2008 R2, Video
