I was recently asked about whether SQL Server data can move between architectures, say from x64 to x86. Yes, you can move SQL Server data back and forth between x64, x86, and IA64 architectures. The data and log files themselves do not store anything that indicates the architecture and work the same onContinue reading “Moving data between 32-bit and 64-bit SQL Server instances”
Tag Archives: sql server
SQL Server Performance Tools – Boise Code Camp Presentation
Today I am presenting about SQL Server Performance Tools at the Boise Code Camp. You can download the slides and supporting files here on this blog (at the bottom it says Attachment(s): PerformanceTools.zip ). The basic agenda of items covered is: ¢ Methodology ¢ SQLDiag ¢ PSSDiag ¢ SQLNexus ¢ Profiler ¢ PerfMon ¢ Continue reading “SQL Server Performance Tools – Boise Code Camp Presentation”
Share this:
What do those “IO requests taking longer than 15 seconds” messages on my SQL box mean?
You may be sometimes seeing stuck/stalled IO messages on one or more of your SQL Server boxes. This is something it is important to understand so I am providing some background information on it. Here is the message you may see in the SQL error log: SQL Server has encountered xxx occurrence(s) of IOContinue reading “What do those “IO requests taking longer than 15 seconds” messages on my SQL box mean?”
Share this:
How to Rename SQL Server
How to rename a SQL Server varies a bit depending on the SQL version, whether it is clustered or not, and whether you want to rename the server/virtual server part of the name (works except for SQL 2000 clusters) or the instance part of the name (requires a reinstall). Also, you do not want to tryContinue reading “How to Rename SQL Server”
Share this:
SQL DAC
When you start SQL Server (2005+) it creates a separate “Dedicated Administrator Connection” or DAC using a special TCP port. One sysadmin at a time can connect with this DAC connection by specifying Admin:ServerNameInstance. From SQLCMD you can either prefix the server name with Admin: or you can use the /A switch. From SSMS youContinue reading “SQL DAC”
Share this:
How and Why to Enable Instant File Initialization
See my new blog post (written with Denzil Ribeiro) about “How and Why to Enable Instant File Initialization” on our PFE blog. Keep an eye on the PFE blog for more posts from my team in the near future.
Share this:
Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting
Our new book, Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting, will be shipping soon! Order now! 🙂 Christian Bolton, Justin Langford, Brent Ozar, and James Rowland-Jones have each written several chapters in this book. Steven Wort, Jonathan Kehayias and I each contributed a chapter as well. The 1st half of the book introduces you to how thingsContinue reading “Professional SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting”
Share this:
SQL Server’s Default Trace
Are you familiar with SQL Server’s default trace setting? It can be helpful with finding basic who/when type information on major events. For example, you may want to know who was creating and dropping databases on a given instance. SQL Server has a couple of options that might help you find out more aboutContinue reading “SQL Server’s Default Trace”
Share this:
Backing up a corrupted SQL Server database
I had a question about how to do a backup and skip a corrupted block of data. First, DO NOT DO IT unless you absolutely have to, such as when you are taking a backup prior to trying to fix the corruption (which means you should be on the phone with Microsoft PSS). If you doContinue reading “Backing up a corrupted SQL Server database”
Share this:
Compilation of SQL Server TempDB IO Best Practices
It is important to optimize TempDB for good performance. In particular, I am focusing on how to allocate files. TempDB is a unique database in several ways. The ones most relevant to this discussion are: · It is often one of the busiest databases on an instance. This means the performance of TempDB isContinue reading “Compilation of SQL Server TempDB IO Best Practices”
