Reducing the size of a reporting database starts with compression, archiving, and index review; shrinking files comes last.
Scale Up or Scale Out: Signs Your Server Needs More Hardware
Decide when to scale up SQL Server by checking sustained CPU demand, memory pressure, storage latency, and whether query tuning comes first.
Overlapping Indexes With INCLUDE Columns: Merging Them Safely
Find overlapping indexes, compare ordered keys and INCLUDE lists, merge coverage carefully, and review usage before removing either index.
What the model Database Passes to Every New Database
Audit the model database template for recovery model, options, objects, and file size, then verify growth settings on new databases.
Finding Orphaned Data and Log Files Nobody Attached
Inventory orphaned data and log files by comparing data-folder contents with sys.master_files, then review candidates before cleanup.
Rehearsing a master Database Restore on a Test Instance
Rehearse a master database restore on a matching test instance, including single-user sqlcmd, automatic shutdown, and configuration checks.
Waiting for an Agent Job to Finish Before the Next Step Runs
Wait for an Agent job to finish by polling its current sysjobactivity row, enforcing a timeout, and checking sysjobhistory outcome.