Tag: SQL Server

Among Giants

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Since becoming a Database Administrator I’ve always looked at Microsoft MVP’s as the giants in our field.  I never once thought I could be among them. I am very humbled to be recognized as a Microsoft Data Platform MVP for 2017. Thank you to those that deemed me worthy enough to nominate me. What is an MVP? According to Microsoft, the MVP Award is an annual award that recognizes exceptional technology community leaders worldwide who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with users and Microsoft. Microsoft MVPs represent a highly select group of experts. MVPs share a deep… Continue Reading

Lone DBA Podcast

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I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on a Podcast episode with the SQL Data Partners Carlos Chacon (B|T) and Steve Stedman (B|T).  If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of my sessions on Survival Tips for the Lone DBA, this is great insight into it. I share via questions and answers how it is to be a Lone DBA. http://sqldatapartners.com/2017/03/28/episode-89-lone-dba/ Continue Reading

Hide and Group Columns in SSRS Using a Parameter

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Ever had users come to you and request another version of a report just to add another field and group data differently? Today, was such the day for me. I really don’t like have multiple versions of the same report out there. So, I got a little fancy with the current version of the report and added a parameter then used expressions to group the data differently and hide columns. For those new to SSRS I’ve embedded some links to MSDN to help you along the way. Current Report The report gives summarized counts by invoice date.  It currently has… Continue Reading

Challenge Accepted

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My life for the last 2 years has been a constant battle of putting out fires with system performance; finally user complaints have moved getting this resolved as my top priority. Let’s see how I tackled the problem… Symptoms: Very High Disk Latency as high as 300,000 milliseconds (ms) is not unusual Average: 900 – 15,000ms Memory Pressure Slow User Experience Problem: Bad hardware Over-provisioned VM Hosts (what happens on one VM effects the other) Old NetApp SAN No infrastructure budget for new hardware Challenge: Make the system viable with no hardware changes or tweaks Step 1: Brain Storming (in… Continue Reading

Summit Submission Feedback Response

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I’m It Survival Tips for the Lone DBA – Level 100 (Not Accepted: Higher rated session selected) Track: Professional Development As others have done I also will share my feedback from my submission to speak at PASS Summit in hopes it will lend some more insight into the process. Abstract: Are you the only database person at your company? Are you both the DBA and the Developer? Being the only data professional in an environment can seem overwhelming, daunting, and darn near impossible sometimes. However, it can also be extremely rewarding and empowering. This session will cover how you can keep your… Continue Reading

SSRS Report Won’t Render in VS Preview

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I love getting get a laptop, but getting all the software reinstalled and making sure everything works can be trying. Last week, I was lucky enough to get a new one and spent two days getting it setup just right. At least so I thought…. once I started working on it of course, BAM I hit my first road block. Visual Studio using SQL Server Data Tool will not render any reports in the Preview tab. Let the trouble shooting commence! Error Message? No help… gives me nothing useful Can I deploy report to SharePoint and View? (We use SSRS Integrated Mode)-… Continue Reading

It’s time to speak again!

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My second time speaking at a SQL Saturday is upon us. This weekend I will be giving my Survival Techniques for a Lone DBA session at SQLSat470 Washington, DC.  Living in Virginia, I am surprised that I’m a first timer to this event. I live only 3 hours away but December is usually crazy with my daughter’s dance schedules and I haven’t been able to attend until now. My session is bright and early as the first session at 8:20 am and going up against some other great sessions. Thankfully they will have an actual barista on hand to make me a… Continue Reading

Everything is coming up ACE’s

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I am thrilled to announce that I have been chosen as one of the 2016 Idera ACE’s. It is truly an honor to be part of this great program and give back to the SQL community. What is an Idera ACE? According to Idera. “ACEs (Advisors & Community Educators) are active community members who have shown a passion for helping the community and sharing their knowledge. We help the ACEs pursue that passion by sponsoring travel to select events and offering guidance for soft skill training. Requirements to become an Idera ACE: Enthusiastic members & leaders of the SQL community Accomplished… Continue Reading

Initial SQL Server Configurations

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Wonder if I Do Things Differently? I am always wondering what other DBA’s do and if I am doing things differently. One such thing is my initial server setups, basically, what I configure for each of my new servers. So, why not blog about it and see what others chime in with after they read this. Keeping in mind that everyone has different requirements and different ways that they like to do the actual configurations. For now, I am not going to go into what each one of these configurations do and why I choose the value I do. That’s… Continue Reading

Master of None

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Being a Lone DBA gives you so much exposure to so many facets of SQL Server. Since I am just one I get to work on Replication, Administration, Security, Business Intelligence, Disaster Recovery, Reporting Services, Integration Services, Analysis Services, Database design, Development, Performance… you name it I get to dabble in it. However, being able to work on every facet also means I will never be a Master at any of it and that’s okay by me. For a Type A personality, like me, this is a hard thing to come to terms with. I‘ve learned with time to be… Continue Reading