Maintenance

Nisarg Upadhyay
The Backup of is compressed and split into multiple files

Compress and split SQL database backups using WinRar

August 4, 2020 by

Recently, we have received a strange request from our customer. They want us to set up a schedule a backup job that generates a backup of SQL database, compress the backup file in multiple compressed archive files (WinRAR files.) We tried to explain to the customer that the SQL Server native backups are capable of compressing the backup file, and it can split a large and compressed backup into multiple backup files. But they insisted us to use the WinRAR software to compress and split the backup.

Read more »
Nisarg Upadhyay
Backup Query

Refresh a SQL Database using the maintenance plan

July 2, 2020 by

In this article, I am going to explain how we can refresh a SQL Database using the Maintenance plan. To demonstrate the process, I have configured two virtual machines. I have installed SQL Server 2016 on both. To refresh the SQL database on destination database server, we will generate a copy-only backup of the SQL database on source database server. I have created a network share directory. Both the source and destination server have the read-write permission on it. The backup file will be copied on a shared directory. Once the database is restored to the destination, we will delete the file from the network share directory.

Read more »
Aveek Das
Grafana Dashboard Demo

Overview of the Grafana Dashboard with SQL

June 2, 2020 by

In this article, I am going to demonstrate how to set up Grafana Dashboard for real-time analytics or data monitoring purposes. Grafana is an open-source, cross-platform analytics service tool that can be used to fetch data from several data sources, and then the data can be visualized in a much intuitive way in the form of bars and graphs. This is quite a useful feature for the DevOps or the IT team as it can make their job easier to find abnormalities or spikes in the production environment by observing the logs generated.

Read more »
Jignesh Raiyani
New database with Database File Size

How to determine free space and file size for SQL Server databases

March 9, 2020 by

In this article, we will discuss the actual database file size and free space in the database file size with the help of monitoring script and shrink solutions. While creating a database initial size of the database files (Data File and Log File) can be defined by us, with the Autogrowth and MAXSIZE parameter. The initial size will be the same as the model database if by chance user forgot to define the initial size parameter while creating a database or do the same intentionally.

Read more »
Bojan Petrovic

Optimizing SQL Server index strategies

July 2, 2019 by

Index strategies overview

This article is about techniques for optimizing the SQL Server indexes strategy. It is an appendix of the SQL index overview and strategy article in which I covered different areas like what indexes actually do, how to create them, and I briefly mentioned some index design guidelines. Furthermore, I also presented an example of how to design them by tuning and optimizing queries, so I’ve really tried to cover all but there is always more when it comes to SQL Server indexes.

Read more »
Bojan Petrovic

SQL index maintenance

January 23, 2019 by

One of the main DBA responsibilities is to ensure databases to perform optimally. The most efficient way to do this is through indexes. SQL indexes are one of the greatest resources when it comes to performance gain. However, the thing about indexes is that they degrade over time.

Read more »
Ed Pollack

Generating Schedules with SQL Server Agent

January 15, 2019 by

Summary

SQL Server Agent allows us to create jobs and assign any number of schedules to them. This allows for great flexibility when deciding when jobs should run. Over time, as the number of jobs and schedules increase on a given SQL Server, it can become challenging to fully understand when and how often jobs run during a given span of time.

Read more »
Esat Erkec

How to create an email alert in SQL Server Agent for job failures

November 28, 2018 by

SQL Server Agent is a Microsoft Windows service which helps to execute, schedule and automatize T-SQL queries, Integration Service Package, SQL Server Analysis Service queries, executable programs, operating system, and PowerShell commands. These actions which are performed by SQL Server can be called by the SQL Server Agent. Maybe, we can liken SQL Server Agent to an alarm clock because the agent will execute the scheduled task when the time comes

Read more »
Esat Erkec

Forecast SQL backup size

October 23, 2018 by

This article will cover the process of analyzing and predicting/forecasting the size of a SQL backup as a means to better handle/manage retention of backups.

One of the main database management tenets is “Do not lose your data”. According to this; a database administrator incurs huge responsibilities to protect data. Under these circumstances, taking database backups and archiving SQL backup files is a key task for database administrators. In data protection strategy, taking database backups and archiving backup file processes play the leading role. Especially, backup planning is very significant for disaster recovery scenarios because backup file will be used for restore operation after any failure or data corruption. For this reason, every dba must generate recovery strategies for possible disaster scenarios and ensure that these scenarios can be solvable. At the same time, these backup files must be tested for data integrity; thus process provides to evaluate the recovery time and integrity of backup files. In this Backup and Restore (or Recovery) strategies for SQL Server database article you can find all details about backup and restore strategies.

Read more »