Category Archive

SQL Server

Two databases syncing changed blocks, representing SQL Server Change Tracking

SQL Server Change Tracking: When to Use It, How to Enable It and How It Differs from CDC

What SQL Server Change Tracking records, how it compares with CDC and temporal tables, how to enable it, a reliable...

November 10, 2021

Database inside a shield with a padlock and backup tape, representing SQL Server backup safety

SQL Server Backup Safety: 10 Rules to Protect Backups from Ransomware and Human Error

How to protect SQL Server backups, not just take them: RPO and RTO, 3-2-1 with immutable copies, restricted access, encryption...

November 3, 2021

Memory module, disk and gauge, representing Windows page file sizing for SQL Server

Windows Page File Settings for SQL Server: How Big, Where, and When Paging Is a Problem

What the Windows page file does on a SQL Server machine, how to size it from the memory dump type...

October 20, 2021

Power button and server with a settings window, representing SQL Server startup parameters

SQL Server Startup Parameters: -d, -l, -e, -T, Single-User Mode and Minimal Configuration

What SQL Server startup parameters do, how to view and change them, and how to use them to make trace...

September 29, 2021

Hard disk with data file blocks allocated at once next to a database and a stopwatch, representing SQL Server Instant File Initialization

SQL Server Instant File Initialization: What It Speeds Up, How to Enable It and How to Verify It

How Instant File Initialization removes zeroing from SQL Server data file creation, growth and restores, what it doesn't cover, the...

September 15, 2021

SQL Server rack server with a warning sign, magnifying glass, checklist and update arrows

Dangerous SQL Server Builds: How to Check Your Version and Patch Safely

Some SQL Server builds carry known corruption, incorrect-results or security bugs. Learn how to check your build, read Microsoft's known...

September 8, 2021

Processor chip with some idle cores next to a server, representing SQL Server CPU core limits and offline schedulers

How Many CPU Cores Can SQL Server Use? Edition Limits, Offline Schedulers and VM Pitfalls

Why SQL Server may leave licensed cores idle: SQL Server 2025 edition limits, VISIBLE OFFLINE schedulers, the VM socket trap,...

September 1, 2021

Server with a wrench and checklist, representing a SQL Server installation checklist

SQL Server Installation Checklist: Planning, Windows Preparation, Setup and Post-Install Configuration

A production SQL Server installation checklist in four stages: planning, Windows preparation, setup choices and post-install configuration, with a validation...

August 25, 2021

SQL Server trace flags: a server next to a control panel of on and off switches with a small flag

SQL Server Trace Flags: How to Use Them and Which Ones Still Matter

Learn how SQL Server trace flags work, how to enable them safely and permanently, which ones still matter, which you...

August 18, 2021

Controlled SQL Server file growth in even steps compared with chaotic autogrowth

SQL Server Autogrowth Best Practices: How to Size Data and Log File Growth

How SQL Server autogrowth really works, why percentage growth and old defaults hurt performance, recommended growth sizes for data and...

August 11, 2021

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