Four ways to find the recovery model of a database: database properties, Object Explorer Details, sys.databases and DATABASEPROPERTYEX.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Restore Sequence and Understanding NORECOVERY and RECOVERY
What is the difference between NORECOVERY and RECOVERY when restoring a database, and what is the right restore sequence? A plain explanation of both.
SQL SERVER – Backup Timeline and Understanding of Database Restore Process in Full Recovery Model
A backup timeline for the full recovery model: full, differential and log backups, and how to restore them in the right order. Plus a real DBA story.
SQL SERVER – BLOB – Pointer to Image, Image in Database, FILESTREAM Storage
Store images as a file pointer, inside the database, or with FILESTREAM storage in SQL Server 2008? I compare the pros and cons of each method.
SQLAuthority News – Big Thinkers – Robert Cain
Why the Big Thinkers series by Robert Cain, SQL Server MVP, inspires me, and what he told me about where all his ideas come from.
SQL SERVER – Standby Servers and Types of Standby Servers
What are standby servers and why do you need them? A plain look at the hot, warm and cold types and how SQL Server supports each one.
SQLAuthority News – Request SQLAuthority.com Stickers and SQL Server Cheat Sheet
Requests for my SQL Server Cheat Sheet and SQLAuthority.com stickers keep coming in, 50+ every morning. Here is how you can get them.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
Want your whole team to learn it?
My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.
Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.
Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 120 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

