Data Platform MVP Award
I am pleased to announce that I was awarded the Data Platform MVP Award by Microsoft on 1 January 2017. Nothing changes with my customers. I will continue to look after you with the same… Data Platform MVP Award
2016 in review
Lots of interesting things happened this year in the world of data. As 2016 draws to a close, I’d like to encourage you to find a piece of Azure SQL Database, or SQL Server, and… 2016 in review
Remote Storage Sync and Restore updated
Recently, I presented my “Back up and Restore your Database with Azure Blob Storage” session to the Bellingham PASS Chapter. There are two components to the Azure Blob Storage Sync and Restore utility: Sync and… Remote Storage Sync and Restore updated
A look back, and a look forward
Time flies. My father used to wear a t-shirt that claimed, “When you’re over the hill, you pick up speed.” I’m turning 40 in a few days. I still feel like a teenager in many… A look back, and a look forward
SQL Saturday in Calgary!
I am very happy (and terrified) to announce that Calgary will host its very first SQL Saturday, #607, on 29 April 2017. Noel Tan and I are organising it (though Noel is doing all the… SQL Saturday in Calgary!
Wait For Service Pack 1
Conventional wisdom tells us that when Microsoft releases a new version of any server product, we should wait until Service Pack 1 before deploying it to production. This hasn’t been true for a while now, since Microsoft… Wait For Service Pack 1
Updated Max Server Memory Script
Earlier this year I released a free T-SQL script that will calculate the correct amount of RAM you should allocate to SQL Server, assuming it is a standalone instance. After attending the PASS Summit in Seattle in… Updated Max Server Memory Script
Look, Ma, No Surprises
Last week I demonstrated at least 30% performance improvement by switching to memory optimised table-valued parameters on SQL Server 2016. This week I will demonstrate the same test using Azure SQL Database, on the Premium… Look, Ma, No Surprises
How to make your T-SQL thirty percent faster
Last week, I mentioned a feature in SQL Server, and now in Azure SQL Database, called Memory-Optimized Table-Valued Parameters, which makes use of In-Memory OLTP structures to work around a dependency on tempdb, and thereby… How to make your T-SQL thirty percent faster
Memory-Optimized Table-Valued Parameters
November brings me back to my regular weekly posting schedule. I attended PASS Summit 2016 last week, and saw a lot of great sessions. Aside from the new stuff, what I also noticed is how… Memory-Optimized Table-Valued Parameters
Interview Questions for a SQL Server DBA
When I’m interviewing a SQL Server DBA, I have three questions that I always ask. My favourite interview question is this: “What is the difference between a clustered and a non-clustered index?” My second favourite… Interview Questions for a SQL Server DBA
Should I upgrade SQL Server 2012, or migrate to Azure?
[Last updated February 27, 2020] Brent Ozar Unlimited runs a website called SQL Server Updates which comes in really handy for keeping your on-premises SQL Server up to date. Of interest is that extended support… Should I upgrade SQL Server 2012, or migrate to Azure?
What to do at PASS Summit 2016
Next week, while blog posts are scheduled as expected, I will be attending my third PASS Summit. Summit 2014 In my first year, I attended every single event I could. The Monday night started with Steve Jones’ regular… What to do at PASS Summit 2016
Temporal Tables in Azure SQL Database
In the latest Microsoft Azure newsletter I received last week was this most excellent news: Azure SQL Database Temporal Tables generally available Temporal Tables let customers track the full history of data changes in Azure… Temporal Tables in Azure SQL Database
Azure Storage Throughput
Hot on the heels of DTUs from earlier this week, today we’re going to switch focus a little, while staying with Azure, and have a quick look at storage speeds on SQL Server running on Azure… Azure Storage Throughput