SQL Server Management Issues

When to consider SQL Server Enterprise Edition

Is SQL Server Enterprise Edition the right choice for you? Expert Robert Sheldon explains the advantages to consider when making your selection.Feature

SQL Server Standard Edition: Why it's worth the cost

Should your IT shop consider a move to SQL Server Standard Edition? Expert Robert Sheldon explains the pros and cons you should know.Feature

SQL Server editions: Is Microsoft SQL Server Express right for you?

Which SQL Server edition is right for your IT shop? In this article by Bob Sheldon, find out if SQL Server Express is an option.Series

Virtualizing SQL Server? What to keep in mind

Thinking about virtualizing SQL Server? Roman Rehak gives you a rundown about what you should keep in mind when planning your migration.Tip

In-memory SQL Server: The implications of integration

How is in-memory SQL Server different from SQL Server with a bunch of RAM? SQL Server guru Serdar Yegulalp explains what to know before you install.Tip

Excerpt: Planning a Microsoft SQL Server install

For many DBAs, a SQL Server installation can be tough. Read this excerpt from Dusan Petkovic's book on Microsoft SQL Server 2012.Excerpt

Evaluating the ROI of a SQL Server 2008 R2 upgrade

Are we there yet? The slow road to SQL Azure

As Microsoft’s SQL Azure gains altitude, industry eyes chances of reign

For SQL Server shops testing Azure cloud, it’s all about integrating data

Basic SQL Server security best practices

Read this article by Ashish Kumar Mehta to learn the basic SQL Server security best practices everyone should know -- but many forget.Feature

Eight ways that SQL Server developers hurt performance

Application developers who access SQL Server can affect server performance without knowing it. Here are eight things SQL Server developers often do wrong.Tip

Speed up execution times in Microsoft SQL Azure

Compare the time cost of database calls to SQL Azure versus calls to a local server and get recommendations for improving the speed of database calls to SQL Azure.Tip

Cloaked in secrecy, Microsoft project aims to wed SQL, NoSQL databases

Microsoft technical fellow David DeWitt is secretly developing a data management system that can do the jobs of both SQL and NoSQL databases. Can he bring the two sides together?News | 01 Mar 2012

Meet compliance requirements with improved database security practices

Small but consistent changes are the trick to securing your SQL Server database and maintaining compliance with the latest industry rules and regulations.Tip

The fine line between not encrypting your databases and breach notification

Neglecting to encrypt personal information in your SQL Server database can leave your organization vulnerable to certain compliance issues. Get the facts to keep you and your company protected.Tip

Sarbanes-Oxley compliance checklist: IT security and SQL audits

If your SQL Server environment is not yet expected to meet Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act compliance standards, it soon will be. In this tip, SQL Server expert Michelle Gutzait presents security practices, procedures and documentation that prepare you for complying with SOX -- along with checklists that SQL Server administrators and developers can use as a guide for inspecting their systems.Tip

Security testing for compliance -- just how much do you need?

Because of government demands, testing your databases and related SQL Server applications for security flaws is no longer simply on the IT wish list. But how much testing is really necessary? IT security specialist Kevin Beaver notes key systems to test, the "must-have" tools for protecting sensitive information and the best approach for database security testing.Tip

Logging for security compliance in SQL Server

Logging for security compliance in SQL Server can be tricky. Recommendations come from all directions: vendors, auditors and lawyers. As a SQL Server administrator, it's your job to determine what's reasonable based on risk. Contributor Kevin Beaver outlines log options, and other considerations when delving into audit logging and system monitoring.Tip

Find the size of every database

This handy script will find the size of every database in SQL Server 2000 without using the sp_spaceused function.Tip

The pros and cons of virtualizing SQL Server environments

What are the pros and cons of virtualizing SQL Server environments? Basit Farooq takes you through the potential good, bad and the ugly.Tip

The pros of Windows Azure SQL Database

What are the pros of choosing Windows Azure SQL Database over more traditional infrastructure? Serdar Yegulalp shares his knowledge on the subject.Feature

Virtualizing SQL Server? What to keep in mind

Thinking about virtualizing SQL Server? Roman Rehak gives you a rundown about what you should keep in mind when planning your migration.Tip

SQL Server 2012

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 is a relational database management system (RDBMS) designed for the enterprise environment. Like its predecessors, SQL Server 2012 comprises a set of programming extensions to enhance the Structured Query Language (SQL), a standard interactive and programming language for getting information from and updating a database.Definition

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 compromised.Definition

Making sense of SQL Server 2012 virtual environment licensing

SQL Server 2012 licensing is complicated enough. Now add in SQL Server virtual environments and try not to let your head spin.Tip

SQL Server virtualization risks: among all the pros, some cons

Back up SQL Server to SQL Azure? Some have their fingers crossed

With Microsoft broadcasting the importance of its cloud computing platform, some SQL Server pros want to use the cloud database service as a backup to their on-premises SQL Server databases.News | 12 Jun 2012

Ahead of TechEd, Microsoft speaks on SQL Server 2012, Amazon RDS

Mark Kromer gives tips on what he thinks will be the best sessions at Microsoft TechEd 2012, and also comments on SQL Server in the cloud and a recent Amazon announcement.Q&A; | 06 Jun 2012

SQL Server virtualization: Not always a good idea

SQL Server virtualization may seem like a magic bullet, but there a few scenarios that might cause businesses to reconsider.Tip

Denny Cherry's SQL Server career -- Is freelancing for you?

Denny Cherry has developed an enviable SQL Server career based on freelancing. Find out how he did it by reading this profile.Profile

SQL Server DBA training and resources for the reluctant DBA

As a reluctant DBA, you may not know where to look for SQL Server DBA resources. This tip by SQL Server expert Don Jones points you in the right direction.Tip

Ramp up your SMB's BI skills

The next frontier of BI skills is undoubtedly the SMB. Read this tip from expert Don Jones to start preparing now.Tip

SQL Server training benefits for non-DBAs

DBAs know the value of SQL Server training. But what are the benefits for non-DBAs? This tip by Serdar Yegulalp examines who should learn more about SQL Server.Tip

Jam session at Microsoft TechEd proves geeks can have fun too

Our associate editor, Lena J. Weiner, went to a jam session at Microsoft TechEd on a specific quest: to prove that geeks are the biggest party animals. Read this article to see what she discovered.News | 27 Jun 2012

TechEd 101: Scoring some ice cream

Knowing your way around the monstrous Microsoft show isn’t always easy, but three show veterans give their take on what works.News | 11 Jun 2012

SQL Kilt Day at PASS Summit 2011

A tradition emerging from the PASS Summit has men slipping into kilts to show solidarity with the Women in Technology interest group.Photo Story

Guys sport kilts for women’s cause at PASS Summit

SQL Kilt Day has been turning heads at the PASS Summit lately, with SQL Server professionals ditching pants for Scotland’s signature garment in support of the Women in Technology interest group.Feature

PASS Summit 2011 promises news, networking, instruction

PASS Summit 2011 for SQL Server professionals is just around the corner, and expert Denny Cherry gives a sneak preview of what’s in store.Opinion

SQLSaturdays pack in SQL Server experts and training, camaraderie

SQL Saturdays are one-day events held throughout the country for SQL Server professionals offering SQL Server training and expert advice.Feature

Microsoft’s SQL Server 2012 has muscle, but database battle is fierce

One of the strongest versions Microsoft has put out in years, SQL Server 2012 first needs to accomplish a monumental task -- overcome database inertia, industry watchers say.News | 18 Apr 2012

SQL Server vs. MySQL: Syntax differences, similar GUIs

Discover syntax differences between SQL Server and MySQL, code for a timestamp automation workaround and why it's important to keep your version of MySQL current.Article | 02 Aug 2006

Dumping Microsoft SQL Server: MySQL, PostgreSQL attract big users

Using open source databases doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Most will work just fine alongside SQL Server.Article | 27 Jul 2006

SQL Server vs. MySQL

Reviewing costs, functionality and implementation techniques, contributor Serdar Yegulalp compares proprietary SQL Server to open source MySQL.Tip

Site offerings at a glance

Here is a quick look at our complete lineup of original content that we update regularly.Article | 01 Mar 2005

CA swings at Oracle, SQL Server with Ingres

Computer Associates is pitching the mature features and 64-bit support of its open sourced Ingres database at Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server customers.News | 23 Feb 2005

Former Oracle DBA falls for SQL Server

Meet Kevin Kline, a former Oracle DBA and a current SQL Server expert, and find out why Microsoft gets him all worked up.News | 23 Feb 2005

Oracle 10g priced to compete with SQL Server

The entry-level version of the new Oracle 10g database comes with a price reduction that could spark intense competition with Microsoft SQL Server.News | 23 Feb 2005

SQL Server pros aren't charmed by open source

Increased competition from open source hasn't affected SQL pros. DBMS shoppers put cost second to features and support --- two areas where some DBAs say open source is deficient.Article | 18 Oct 2004