With SQL Server 2017 GA announcement for October-2 2017, Microsoft is introducing changes to the servicing model through GDRs, CUs and SPs.   Excerpt from article published:   —————————————–   The Modern Servicing Model   Starting with SQL Server 2017, we are adopting a simplified, predictable mainstream servicing lifecycle: SPs will no longer be made available. Only CUs, and GDRs when needed. CUs will now accommodate localized content, allowing new feature completeness and supportability enhancements […]

During my evaluation of SQL Server 2014, I happened to face a problem, when I hit the F5 key in the Object Explorer, the SSMS was starting the Debug action instead of Refresh.Usually most of them will be happy for F5=Refresh and F5=Query Execution. Here is the procedure to Re-assign F5 key to refresh action in SQL Server Management Studio. Open Management Studio Go to Tools >> Options Expand Environment >> Keyboard >> Keyboard In […]

Starting Windows 2012, Windows cluster supports asymmetric disks which is required for Cluster participating in Always ON technology hence is a useful concept to be aware of,   http://www.sqlserverfaq.net/2012/09/16/when-do-we-need-asymmetric-storage-with-alwayson-fci-and-availability-storage/   https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/493bf438-eb9d-405c-81c5-42aaa31eef8a/configure-asymmetric-storage-for-crosssite-windows-failover-cluster?forum=winserverClustering  

As we know the solution for SQL Server Data at rest encryption is TDE (Transparent Data Encryption) but what if application need End to End data encryption for PII fields, the solution is Always Encrypt columns in SQL 2016 Ent. Ed., from support DBA perspective it’s more of setting it up and supporting it but major liability lies with application developer, they need to validate and implement solution in first place; certainly there are few […]

To change server collation following steps needs to be done,   Use the SQL Server set up, and run the following command from the folder where set up file is located,   Imp Note: this will rebuild master database and subsequently all information like user db, logins, jobs (msdb) will be lost, script out everything as described below before triggering the command.   <sql server media folder>:/Setup.exe /QUIET /ACTION=REBUILDDATABASE /INSTANCENAME=INSTANAMEHERE /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS=DOMAINNAME\SERVICEACCOUNNTNAME /SAPWD= SAPASSWORD /SQLCOLLATION=SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AI (The […]

After struggling a lot and working with vendor, identified list of exclusions for SQL Server related to Anti Virus Software (McAfee, Symantec, etc.), the details can be found in this link, last one is important as it impacts performance.   https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/309422/how-to-choose-antivirus-software-to-run-on-computers-that-are-running-sql-server   Directories and file-name extensions to exclude from virus scanning When you configure your antivirus software settings, make sure that you exclude the following files or directories (as applicable) from virus scanning. Doing this […]

Issue: While trying to restart SQL Service, it failed and following error found in error logs,   yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.xx Server Error: 17182, Severity: 16, State: 1. yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.xx Server TDSSNIClient initialization failed with error 0xd, status code 0x10. Reason: Unable to retrieve registry settings from TCP/IP protocol’s ‘IPAll’ configuration key. The data is invalid.   yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.xx Server Error: 17182, Severity: 16, State: 1. yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss.xx Server TDSSNIClient initialization failed with error 0xd, status code […]

Came across weird situation where received alert for SQL Server transaction log file full and found log_reuse_wait_desc=replication from sys.databases   Now before mentioning troubleshooting step, setup of the database is question is little bit complex because Database is part of SQL Server replication where database publisher is at vendor side and we don’t have access to publisher DB 🙁 Oracle Golden Gate replication is configured from this database to Oracle DB Database in question is […]

A good news for those who manage SQL releases, now CU updates are backed by Microsoft and one should not wait for SP releases, CU should be applied as early as possible,   https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/sqlreleaseservices/announcing-updates-to-the-sql-server-incremental-servicing-model-ism/   Updates to Cumulative Update Messaging and Guidance: Over the years, as we released CUs (Cumulative Updates), you have become familiar with a certain type of deterrent messaging around those updates. Examples like the below messages often lead DBA’s to plan […]

This Article covers the list of Free database and PowerShell tools I come across time to time, this list will keep growing as I discover them, leave comments if you like any one tool better than other.   SQL Server   Database Health – dashboard overview for quick database health checks (http://databasehealth.com) Idera Free tools for SQL server: https://www.idera.com/productssolutions/freetools, below are some of best which I like, they are not totally free but works for […]