Email Alerts
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SQL Server 2012 release approaches -- what you need to know
Microsoft will soon come out with the long-awaited SQL Server 2012 release, but will your system be ready to take full advantage of the new version, also known as Microsoft Denali? Find out. Feature
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The most dangerous game: Hunting down bad SQL query performance
SQL Server is faster when the queries behind your applications are faster. Learn how to spot bad SQL query performance, and then work with developers so you can improve throughput. Feature
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Purchasing hardware for SQL Server: What not to do
SQL Server performance depends on hardware, and what you buy can have a huge impact. Yet people make mistakes when purchasing hardware for SQL Server. Here are some of the worst. Feature
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Solid-state storage devices for SQL Server: Are they worth the cost?
Solid-state storage devices for SQL Server have been growing in popularity in recent years. But do their super-fast read speeds justify their super-high prices? Feature
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Stylish SQL Server hardware every well-dressed computer is wearing
You want your SQL Server computer in top shape, so dress it in the newest duds. Learn about the latest trends in SQL Server hardware and make your server the talk of the town. Feature
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System Center Advisor promises configuration alerts for DBAs
Microsoft System Center Advisor, formerly Project Atlanta, is a database-configuration system designed to help database administrators root out problems before they begin. Feature
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Q&A;: New Microsoft products focus on configuration, virtualization
There’s been a slew of new Microsoft products lately, including an upgrade for Project Atlanta. A company expert discusses this development, third-party tools and more. SQL in Five
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Four tips on boosting SQL Server scalability
SQL Server scalability is high on the list of system properties, and scaling up is easier than scaling out. Follow these four tips and you’ll be on your way to optimum performance. Feature
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Three third-party tools for SQL Server you need to have
SQL Server is packaged with an array of management tools, but it’s not complete. Several third-party tools for SQL Server can help with monitoring, backup and capacity management. The 'Reluctant' DBA
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Top 10 SQL Server Tips of 2008
Here are the top 10 SQL Server tips of 2008. From stored procedures that determine table and log file size to the basics of DATETIME and SMALLDATETIME in SQL Server 2005 and date/time value data conversions, these are the most viewed SearchSQLServer.... The Year in Review
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SQL Server 2012 ‘virtually’ out, Microsoft talks features, licensing
With SQL Server 2012 released in a “virtual launch” this month, Microsoft data platform specialist Mark Kromer tells us what his favorite features of the new release are. News | 14 Mar 2012
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Microsoft bulks up SQL Server scalability to rival buff competition
Better SQL Server scalability and lower costs have furthered Microsoft’s reach in recent years, industry observers say, and that’s good, because the competition is big and knows the turf well. News | 02 Mar 2012
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SQL Server BI performance for the uninitiated
Maintaining a SQL Server business intelligence (BI) system may be challenging for many database administrators, but there’s a lot you can do to ensure top SQL Server BI performance. News | 19 May 2011
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Microsoft gives tour of new release of SQL Server
Microsoft gave PASS Summit 2010 attendees a walk-through of its Denali SQL Server release, demoing its AlwaysOn, FileTable and expanded SQL Server Integration Services features. News | 11 Nov 2010
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Q&A;: Create and tune indexes in SQL Server 2000
DBAs can build a SQL Server index best designed for their database environments by learning about columns, clustered indexes, and more. Tip | 23 Oct 2007
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Minding the data and databases
The role of the database administrator can be broad or delineated by specialization. DBAs are constantly at the mercy of the project size, scope and application complexity. Article | 20 Jul 2006
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Q&A;: Making the jump to 64-bit SQL Server 2005
Running SQL Server on a 64-bit platform has been an option to improve database performance and scalability for quite some time, but your configuration options were limited and not without problems. For one thing, SQL Server 2000 could only run on the... News | 20 May 2006
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SQL Server 2000 indexing dos and don'ts
In the second part of this three-part feature, Edgewood Solutions' Jeremy Kadlec outlines best and worst practices for indexing in SQL Server 2000. Tip | 14 Feb 2006
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Tool vendor boosts SQL Server, Oracle support
Embarcadero Technologies Inc. is extending support of its management tool to Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle 10g. Through a single console, DBAs can access and manage DBMSes from multiple vendors. News | 23 Feb 2005
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Maximize SQL Server database performance by streamlining your data
Roman Rehak shows you some quick and easy ways to streamline and improve performance of your SQL Server databases. Tip
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Preparing for your SQL Server scale-out
It's never too early to prepare for a SQL Server scale-out. Read this tip from Roman Rehak to learn three popular ways to scale out SQL Server. Tip
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Index tuning for the reluctant DBA
Many reluctant DBAs find index tuning intimidating. Read this article by Don Jones to learn why index tuning is a must for your SQL Server shop. Tip
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Pssdiag and Sqldiag Manager – the lifeblood of SQL troubleshooting
What’s the most important part of SQL troubleshooting? Pssdiag and Sqldiag manager, says SQL Server professional Serdar Yegulalp. Find out what makes Pssdiag and Sqldiag so important. Tip
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Configuring SSRS the easy way
Demystify the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) configuration process. Get an overview of this tool and guidelines for how to set up each screen in SSRS from industry professional Roman Rehak. Tip
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Tips for deploying SQL Azure Federations
Reduced SQL Azure pricing, an upgraded management portal, increased database size and the SQL Azure Federations Data Migration Wizard mean multi-tenant and “big data” projects are big possibilities. Tip
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Five things in SQL Server not in SQL Azure
With the excitement over the cloud, it’s easy to forget that Microsoft’s cloud database, SQL Azure, is not for everyone. Learn the five major differences between SQL Azure and SQL Server. Tip
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Three tips for a better SQL Azure migration
A successful SQL Azure migration means picking the right migration tool and loading data into SQL Azure properly. Tip
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Three easy ways to improve SQL Server performance
A sluggish database does no one any good. Consultant Don Jones offers tips to improve SQL Server performance. Tip
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Don’t get bogged down by sluggish BI system performance -- speed it up
Poor BI system performance can be a real problem, but that doesn’t mean it should get you down, consultant Don Jones says. Find out how to give your system a needed boost. Tip
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Tips for tuning SQL Server 2005 to improve reporting performance
There are a few things you can do to tune SQL Server for improved reporting performance. Here are some generic and Reporting Services-specific techniques. Ask the Expert
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Configuring SQL Server with a changed computer name
Find out how to reconfigure all aspects of your SQL Server after your computer name has been changed. Ask the Expert
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Maintain large SQL Server database and resolve website 'Timeout Error'
If you have exceptionally large SQL Server databases, refer to these best practices for proper database maintenance to steer clear of a website 'Timeout Error.' Ask the Expert
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Adding non-clustered indexes to SQL Server columns
Adding non-clustered indexes to SQL Server columns and tables frequently queried is possible. Learn how to add non-clustered indexes to SQL Server databases. Ask the Expert
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View query execution plan in SQL Server with this method
Learn how to view a query execution plan in SQL Server with SQL Server Management Studio or Query Analyzer. Review and decrease query plan sub tree cost. Ask the Expert
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How to increase server memory used in SQL Server 2000
Change SQL Server memory settings by starting with sp_configugure to view configurations. Next follow these steps to take with the operating system (OS). Ask the Expert
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Connecting to SQL Server with a client application
Learn why connecting to SQL Server with a client application and then using client tools on the workstation or on the server will have the same results. Ask the Expert
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How to tune SQL Server query performance after upgrade
Still have slow queries after upgrading to SQL Server 2005? Learn how to performance tune your queries by rebuilding indexes and updating statistics. Ask the Expert
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Searching for rows containing underscores in SQL Server
Is it possible to do a SQL Server search for a row with particular strings containing an underscore? Learn how to structure the WHERE clause to search for such rows. Ask the Expert
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SQL Server 2000 memory settings that work
Having trouble monitoring memory usage in SQL Server 2000? Apply these memory settings through SQL Server Performance Monitor. Ask the Expert
- See more Expert Advice on Microsoft SQL Server Performance Monitoring and Tuning
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database mirroring
Database mirroring is the maintenance of redundant copies of a database to ensure continuous data availability and minimize or avoid downtime that might otherwise result from data corruption or loss, or when the operation of a network is partially c... Definition
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contiguous
Contiguous describes two or more objects that are adjacent to each other. Definition
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hybrid online analytical processing (HOLAP or Hybrid OLAP)
Hybrid online analytical processing (HOLAP) is a combination of relational OLAP (ROLAP) and multidimensional OLAP (usually referred to simply as OLAP). Definition
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hashing
Hashing is the transformation of a string of characters into a usually shorter fixed-length value or key that represents the original string. Definition
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drilldown
As currently used in information technology, to drill down (verb) is to focus in on something. Definition
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contiguity
Contiguity (from Latin contiguus and contingere, to have contact with) is the state of being in close proximity with or even touching another object. Definition
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SQL Server PerfMon counters for access methods and buffer manager
SQL Server MVP Kevin Kline focuses on PerfMon counters for SQL Server and shares best practices for tracking IO intensive access methods and buffer manager activity. Video
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Monitoring SQL Server disk I/O with PerfMon counters
As a DBA, you need to understand the I/O of your SQL Server disk subsystem. In part three of this screencast series, learn how to track I/O in your direct-attached storage disks (DASD). Get optimal throughput values to keep an eye on when using Perfo... Video
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SQL Server PerfMon counters for Windows operating systems
SQL Server PerfMon counters can help DBAs troubleshoot and even avoid bottlenecks on Windows operating systems. In part two of this screencast, learn the best practices and maximum values to watch for when using counters to monitor OS performance. Video
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SQL Server PerfMon counters for tracking Windows memory
In part one of this series on the Performance Monitor tool (PerfMon), SQL Server MVP Kevin Kline walks you through significant PerfMon counters for tracking Windows memory. Video
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Maximize SQL Server database performance by streamlining your data
Roman Rehak shows you some quick and easy ways to streamline and improve performance of your SQL Server databases. Tip
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Preparing for your SQL Server scale-out
It's never too early to prepare for a SQL Server scale-out. Read this tip from Roman Rehak to learn three popular ways to scale out SQL Server. Tip
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Index tuning for the reluctant DBA
Many reluctant DBAs find index tuning intimidating. Read this article by Don Jones to learn why index tuning is a must for your SQL Server shop. Tip
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database mirroring
Database mirroring is the maintenance of redundant copies of a database to ensure continuous data availability and minimize or avoid downtime that might otherwise result from data corruption or loss, or when the operation of a network is partially c... Definition
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Pssdiag and Sqldiag Manager – the lifeblood of SQL troubleshooting
What’s the most important part of SQL troubleshooting? Pssdiag and Sqldiag manager, says SQL Server professional Serdar Yegulalp. Find out what makes Pssdiag and Sqldiag so important. Tip
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Configuring SSRS the easy way
Demystify the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) configuration process. Get an overview of this tool and guidelines for how to set up each screen in SSRS from industry professional Roman Rehak. Tip
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Tips for deploying SQL Azure Federations
Reduced SQL Azure pricing, an upgraded management portal, increased database size and the SQL Azure Federations Data Migration Wizard mean multi-tenant and “big data” projects are big possibilities. Tip
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SQL Server 2012 ‘virtually’ out, Microsoft talks features, licensing
With SQL Server 2012 released in a “virtual launch” this month, Microsoft data platform specialist Mark Kromer tells us what his favorite features of the new release are. News
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Microsoft bulks up SQL Server scalability to rival buff competition
Better SQL Server scalability and lower costs have furthered Microsoft’s reach in recent years, industry observers say, and that’s good, because the competition is big and knows the turf well. News
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Five things in SQL Server not in SQL Azure
With the excitement over the cloud, it’s easy to forget that Microsoft’s cloud database, SQL Azure, is not for everyone. Learn the five major differences between SQL Azure and SQL Server. Tip
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About Microsoft SQL Server Performance Monitoring and Tuning
From testing and monitoring to indexing and troubleshooting, you're sure to find a resource to help resolve your Microsoft SQL Server performance problems. To ensure your SQL Server databases and applications run at their full potential, you must continually identify performance problems and quickly address bottlenecks. This page features resources covering all aspects of SQL Server performance and tuning, with details on debugging applications, optimizing database performance and more. Also, be sure to check out our recent tutorials on SQL Server performance tuning via indexes and queries.