Deadlock Resources

Deadlocks are a not so wonderful unnaturally occurring event that all DBAs will eventually have the pleasure to take a look at.  Since deadlocks are time senisitive it is important that at the time of the deadlock the correct mechanisms are in place to capture the detail of the deadlock in the SQL Server error … Continue reading Deadlock Resources

Is This Cluster Good Enough?

Earlier this year, Microsoft released the Microsoft Cluster Configuration Validation Wizard.  A handy dandy tool for analyzing the setup and configuration of clustered servers.  And this is definitely a tool to keep in the toolbelt when building clusters, especially the ones that I like to build with SQL Server on top of them.  And as … Continue reading Is This Cluster Good Enough?

Identify Reporting Services Version and Edition

While trying to identify the reporting services edition installed on a server today, I found quite a few ways to identify both the edition and version of reporting services.  And now they are listed below from various news group threads for your reading pleasure. The version of an installed reporting services service can be found … Continue reading Identify Reporting Services Version and Edition

Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2005

I was working through some performance issues on a "fun" table.  A bit of half a billion rows and with some apparent I/O issues as the entire table is being read by some of the clients services to create an extract.  In working through some of the performance bottlenecks, I found the following white paper … Continue reading Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2005

IIF(IsEasier(Many-to-Many Dimensional Modeling) = TRUE, JOYFUL, CRY)

In a former life on a SQL Server 2000 project with I had the immense joy of building a few cubes in Analysis Services that took advantage of many-to-many relationships.  At the start I was thrilled to be trying something new and by the end I was cross-eyed trying to keep all of the calculations … Continue reading IIF(IsEasier(Many-to-Many Dimensional Modeling) = TRUE, JOYFUL, CRY)

SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard Reports

There's a new download from Microsoft that I am a little excited to take a look at... <begin fanfar> <queue flashy lights> The...  SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard Reports I've downloaded them but haven't had a chance to really look at them.  From the download page overview though: The SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard Reports … Continue reading SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard Reports