Inspect autogrowth settings across database files, review retained growth events and VLFs, and choose tested fixed-size increments.
Msg 864: Buffer Pool Extension Size Over the Limit
Msg 864 means a buffer pool extension file is larger than SQL Server allows for the memory in the machine. This post gives the limits, four read-only checks tested on SQL Server 2025, and the steps to start a server that will not boot.
Cost Threshold for Parallelism and MAXDOP: Setting Both Together
Review cost threshold for parallelism with MAXDOP, inspect NUMA layout and settings, then measure plans and waits after changes.
Default Filegroup: Sending New Tables Away From PRIMARY
Changing the default filegroup only affects tables you create later. Here is what moves, what does not, and how a script can quietly ignore the rule.
mssql-conf: Configuring SQL Server on Linux Without a GUI
Use mssql-conf for SQL Server on Linux memory, file defaults, Agent, ports, and trace flags, then verify effective settings after restart.
Target Server Memory vs Total: Is SQL Server Still Growing
A big gap between target and total memory is often just room to grow. Here is how to check it before you call a server starved.
MSDTC and Distributed Transactions Across Linked Servers
Understand MSDTC for linked-server transactions, inspect RPC promotion settings, diagnose coordination errors, and compare simpler designs.