Most people check the SQL Server version with @@VERSION. I also like xp_msver, which shows extra details about the server where SQL Server is installed.
SQL SERVER – Find Busiest Database
How do you find the busiest database on a SQL Server instance? I use sys.dm_exec_query_stats to add up logical reads and writes for each database.
SQL SERVER – Fragmentation – Detect Fragmentation and Eliminate Fragmentation
What is fragmentation, and how do you detect fragmentation and eliminate it? I explain the internal and external types and what each one does to your pages.
SQL SERVER – The server network address “TCP://SQLServer:5023” can not be reached or does not exist. Check the network address name and that the ports for the local and remote endpoints are operational. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1418)
Error 1418 in database mirroring says the server network address cannot be reached. Try my suggestions one by one, starting with a NO RECOVERY restore.
SQL SERVER – Unique Nonclustered Index Creation with IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON – A Transactional Behavior
When is IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON useful? Jacob Sebastian and I built an example that shows its transactional behavior when you insert only nonduplicate rows.
SQL SERVER – Fix: Error: 262 : SHOWPLAN permission denied in database
My students got Msg 262, SHOWPLAN permission denied, when they tried to view an execution plan. One GRANT SHOWPLAN statement fixes it.
SQL SERVER – Unique Nonclustered Index Creation with IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON
What does IGNORE_DUP_KEY = ON do on a unique nonclustered index? Duplicate inserts give a warning instead of an error, and my example shows both options.