Understand MSDTC for linked-server transactions, inspect RPC promotion settings, diagnose coordination errors, and compare simpler designs.
Checking 32-Bit Leftovers: Linked Server Providers and ODBC Drivers
Find 32-bit dependencies in linked servers, Agent steps, SSIS execution choices, and Windows ODBC drivers before a server move.
Securing Linked Servers
Securing linked servers requires explicit login mappings, limited RPC settings, remote privilege checks, and dependency ownership.
OLE DB or ODBC for Connecting to SQL Server
Choose OLE DB or ODBC for SQL Server by the component you run, especially SSIS, linked servers, and applications using current drivers.
Querying Active Directory From SQL Server
Querying active directory through an ADSI linked server can answer narrow questions, but its limits favor staged data for repeatable work.