Author: Sachin Diwakar

  • SQL DBA Cheatcode Part 1 : Few Important Queries for any DBA

    SQL DBA Cheatcode Part 1 : Few Important Queries for any DBA

    Hi Friends, From last few days, I was thinking about writing a series on Queries\T-SQL commands that we use in our day to day operations or those queries which should be handy for any SQL DBA(Junior or senior) out there. In this series, I’ll try to share as many queries as I have or I…

  • How to get access on SQL Server if you don’t have “sa” password or sysadmin access?

    How to get access on SQL Server if you don’t have “sa” password or sysadmin access?

    PROBLEM DBAs need to have sysadmin access on SQL Server to support Databases effectively. There may come situations where DBAs neither have sysadmin access nor [sa] password. In that case, DBA needs to perform below activity to get the access. RESOLUTION PREREQUISITES: 1) Administrative privileges needed on Host Server. 2) Downtime of approximately 10 minutes…

  • Is tempdb configured correctly?

    Is tempdb configured correctly?

    Let’s learn about tempdb and some of the best practices about tempdb. Before doing this, let’s talk about tempdb and its usage. A Tempdb is a system database that is available to all users who are connected on an instance of SQL Server. Tempdb holds temporary user objects like global/local temporary tables, temporary stored procedures,…

  • Common Human Errors as DBA (part 2)

    Common Human Errors as DBA (part 2)

    You must have read my previous post (Part-1) about Common Human Errors as DBA and how to avoid them. Here is another post of the same series. Third error – Data or Log file Shrinking – sometimes, one may not be checking how much free space is available in data or log files and shrinking databases…

  • MAXDOP – What is best approach to use it!!!

    MAXDOP – What is best approach to use it!!!

    The Maximum Degree of Parallelism (MAXDOP) setting will determine the degree to which SQL server will attempt to parallel process transactions which are received from the scheduler. As a general rule of thumb, OLTP environments with high transaction volume and repetitive queries should normally have a MAXDOP value of 1, as any benefit gained from…

  • Database Engine Instances (SQL Server): A Quick Refresher

    Database Engine Instances (SQL Server): A Quick Refresher

    SQL Server instance of the Database Engine is nothing but a copy of the sqlservr.exe executable that runs as an operating system service. This means for each running SQL Server instance you must see one sqlservr.exe in task manager. Like in screenshot. An instance can manage six system databases. An instance can manage one or more…

  • Hide Your Real Data – Data masking/ Data Scrambling/ Data Obfuscation

    Hide Your Real Data  – Data masking/ Data Scrambling/ Data Obfuscation

    Data masking/ Data Scrambling/ Data Obfuscation – is the task for hiding actual data before sharing it with Users, UAT Testers, Vendors, Developers or anyone else who MUST NOT have access to production data or real time data. A DBA must proactively take care of this task if no one informed about the requirements. Sensitive…

  • Common Human Errors as DBA (part 1)

    Common Human Errors as DBA (part 1)

    “Human Error” is not a new word. Most of the time if there is screwed up done by any one – these golden words are used. For sure, these are the Human Errors and its hard to control. Here I am trying to consolidate some common human errors that are done by DBAs at different…

  • About Vivek Garg

    Blogger Name Vivek Garg Qualification & Experience Bachelor of Technology in computer science. Worked as Production DBA with TCS for clients belonging to different domains such as Healthcare, Insurance. Currently working as Application DBA with Accenture for Hospitality Industry. Certifications MCTS 70-432,SQL Server 2008 Implementation and Maintenance Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Other Skills Knowledge Transition…

  • About Vaibhav Gupta

    Blogger Name Vaibhav Gupta Qualification & Experience Bachelor of Engineering B.E. (HONS) in computer science. Worked with top MNCs like Dell, HCL ISD & TCS Ltd for clients belonging to different domains such as Healthcare, Retails, Insurance etc. Certifications I have done MCITP in SQL Server 2008 and also a ITIL certified professional. Roles handled…

  • About Sachin Diwakar

    [li_profile] Roles handled in past SQL DBA Team member SQL DBA Shift Leader SQL DBA Team Lead Trainer & Mentor (Learning & Development) SQL DBA Specialist (Presales) SQL DBA Specialist (Request for proposal (RFP) & Solutions) Automation Lead (DBA & Windows (x) Team) Incident Manager Application Support Specialist (RMS Risklink, RMS Riskbrowser, AIR Touchstone etc)…

  • Database Accidents : Unwanted Restore

    Database Accidents : Unwanted Restore

    Number of times, while working as a DBA many accidents happen. Most common of them is when a database is restored without checking if a backup is available or not. As a thumb rule – a DBA must take backups of everything before performing any action. At any point of time, I must be in…

  • Fragmentation of Log files and VLFs

    In a SQL server, having multiple log files does not have any performance benefits as the log files are written sequentially. The log files can have external (disk level) fragmentation or internal (VLF, Virtual Log File) fragmentation. The external fragmentation can be solved by de-fragmenting the disk on which the log file resides on, followed…

  • SQL DBA Training Session 4

    SQL DBA Training Session 4

    When – Sunday, 11th Jan 2015 Time – 2 PM GMT (London Time) Duration – 2 Hours. Mode – Google Hangout. Who can attend : Those who have invitation. Agenda : will be attached soon!

  • DBAThings.com & SQL DBA Community integration

    Guys, I am happy to share that Admin of SQL Server DBA (India) – A special group of DBAs, has shown his great trust and allowed me to serve this community as co-admin. As you know that I am already conducing free SQL DBA Training sessions for this community. A thought of “help with no reason” brought…