script

Compare SQL Server Instance Properties

A few years ago, I created a couple of T-SQL scripts that can be used for comparing instance-level and database-level properties between two HA/DR replicas. Originally, this supported comparing only two servers. But recently, following a fan request, I upgraded the script to support an unlimited number of servers that you can compare to each other.

So, I figured, if one person found this useful, there must be more out there that would need this, right?

The Best Solution for SQL Server Partitioning Sliding Window

2022-05-30
T-SQL, Tools and Scripts

Turns out there’s a shortage of solutions online for easily managing partitioned tables in SQL Server. Well… I guess I’ll have to do it myself!

Detect Weak Passwords in SQL Server

This is a T-SQL script that I’m cross-publishing with the official Madeira Data Solutions blog.

This script generates various permutations and variations of common and weak passwords and uses the PWDCOMPARE function to check whether there are any enabled SQL logins that have these passwords.

Detect Low PAGE Compression Success Rates in all Databases

2022-01-17
SQL Server Performance, Tools and Scripts
1 Comment

Thanks to Paul Randal and his recently published blog post: “The Curious Case of… tracking page compression success rates“, I finally discovered what was the purpose of the column page_compression_success_count from the system function sys.dm_db_index_operational_stats, and how to use it.

Finding a use for Extended Properties in SQL Server

2021-07-27
SQL Server Database Development, T-SQL, Tools and Scripts
2 Comments

“Extended properties allow you to add custom properties to database objects”, so says the official Microsoft documentation. However, very few DBAs make use of them, if at all. This is actually a good thing, because indeed the scenarios in which this feature could be useful are relatively few and rare.

On the other hand, I also see DBAs essentially jumping through hoops to implement something, which could in fact very easily be implemented using Extended Properties.

What are these peculiar use cases? Let’s look at a few examples.

One handy Powershell script template to rule them all

If you know me, you already know that I’m a huge fan of automation. Therefore, it’s natural to assume that I would dabble in Powershell at least once or twice or a few dozen, as a method to implement useful automations. After all, automation is pretty much the whole essence of Powershell in the first place.

As I used Powershell scripts more and more, I learned that there are a few things that are important to have whenever you use such scripts as part of automation (by “automation” I mean any sort of operation done “unattended”, i.e. without direct human interaction in real-time).

Using Extended Events as a Buffer

Assume you have some kind of process outside the SQL Server which is supposed to record some kind of database activity. There are many ways to do it, most of which require constant and/or stable connection to the database. But what if that’s not good enough? Let’s consider our options.

Control SQL Jobs based on HADR Role – Taking it to the Next Level

2020-05-26
SQL Server Database Engine, T-SQL, Tools and Scripts
3 Comments

In one of my previous blog posts, Automatically Enable or Disable Jobs based on HADR Role, I provided a solution for automatically enabling or disabling scheduled jobs in combination with Availability Groups and Database Mirroring. In this blog post, I’m going to build upon my previous solution and improve it even further – taking it to the next level of automation!

Troubleshooting Long-Running SHRINK Operations

2020-04-07
SQL Server Database Engine, Tools and Scripts
7 Comments

Ever had your SHRINK operation “stuck” and didn’t know why, or how to solve it? It’s more common than you think. Check out this post for more info, tricks and tips.

Finding the Details Missing from the SQL Server Failed Logins Audit

2020-03-09
T-SQL, Tools and Scripts

We all know the error log used by SQL Server to audit failed logins by default. But is it good enough? For many scenarios, it isn’t. It’s actually missing a lot of important information. But, worry not, for there are better solutions!