I’ve been conducting quite a few SQL Server health assessments lately so I thought I would write a brief explanation of the importance of “Instant File Initialization” and how I check to see if it’s being used. SQL Server File Initialization The SQL Server storage engine utilizes an initialization process on data and log files. [...]

You got the job because you’re a quick learner, have the ability to understand complex systems, and most importantly, you can troubleshoot.  However you became an Oracle Apps DBA, you’re one now, so the fun starts.  I started this blog to assist young Oracle Apps DBA professionals who might need a little more detail in [...]

If you’re like me, you’ve been hearing a lot about Master Data Management lately.  Master Data Management is not an entirely new theory; it goes back to the Master File idea from the days of the mainframe.  The basic concept is to have a single ‘correct’ set of data that the entire company will use. [...]

The very thought of database corruption makes my skin crawl. Unfortunately, it’s something that all Database Administrators will eventually experience and need to correct. I’m not going to discuss how to recover from this lurking problem. Instead, I’m going to give you some simple strategies to ensure you are aware of the issue as soon [...]

This post is for those of you who need a quick answer to this issue and you’ve already restarted the DTC service and the SQL Server service in that order. Before you start pulling your hair out and running to DTCPing or DTCTest, if it’s ok with all parties involved, try restarting the DTC service [...]

Recently I ran into an issue with the infamous “Cannot generate SSPI context.”  I have run into this issue a few times in the past and it is a problem that usually takes a while to find the solution and fix.  This problem does not deal with just SQL Server.  Usually the help of a [...]

MySQL 5.5.6 is not ACID compliant, here is an example: mysql> drop table if exists mytable1; Query OK, 0 rows affected, 1 warning (0.00 sec) mysql> begin; Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec) mysql> create table mytable1 (idontfeellucky int) ; Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.44 sec) mysql> show create table mytable1; +——-+—————————————————————————————-+ | [...]

When I investigate a new SQL Server instance for the first time, I perform a number of standard checks to get a handle on the current health of the system. One of the checks I like to perform is a VLF count on each transaction log file associated with each database on the system. Right [...]

For any SQL Server DBA who has been in the game longer than the advent of SQL Server 2005, there was one standard place to turn when you wanted to tune your database.  You would turn to the profiler!  If you had some experience with this, and had been burned by getting too small of [...]

Many Database Administrators are aghast when they discover that SQL Server 2005 and above have a default trace that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of us are taught early on in our careers that extended tracing is something that should only occur on rare occasions. Before you rush out and [...]