While preparing a security demo, I broke my SQL Server and it would not start: Unable to load user-specified certificate. Here is how I fixed error 26014.
SQL SERVER – ERROR: Failed to verify the Authenticode signature of FileName
SQL Server logged: Failed to verify the Authenticode signature of sqlservr.exe. Here is what the message means and why it can point to malware on the machine.
SQL SERVER – Scoped Firewall Rules Instead of Disabling the Firewall
A firewall rule should permit the required SQL Server or management connection narrowly. My original automation case needed remote access.
Generate a Random Password in SQL Server Using T-SQL
To generate a random password in T-SQL, draw bytes from CRYPT_GEN_RANDOM, pick characters from a safe pool and shuffle them. This post builds one procedure that guarantees upper case, lower case, a digit and a symbol, skips look-alike characters, and proves it on 1,000 passwords. It also explains why ABS(CHECKSUM(NEWID())) can fail with an overflow error.
SQL SERVER – Database Mirroring Login Attempt Failed With Error: ‘Connection Handshake Failed. An OS Call Failed: (80090350)
Connection handshake failed with 0x80090350 on an availability group replica. What the code means, why it says mirroring, and what to check.
SQL SERVER – T-SQL Script: How to Search for Multiple Values in ERRORLOG?
Need to find corruption or other errors in the ERRORLOG? Here is a T-SQL script I use to search for multiple values in the SQL Server ERRORLOG at once.
SQL SERVER – How to Check If Instant File Initialization Enabled or Not?
Is Instant File Initialization enabled on your server? Before SQL Server 2016 there was no quick answer, but from 2016 onward you can check it in seconds.