A database mirroring connection error needs evidence from both ends of the connection. In a 2017 Azure case, the clue was a missing CONNECT permission on the endpoint. I tested the endpoint queries on SQL Server 2025 with a scratch endpoint, a grant, a deny and a stopped endpoint.
SQL SERVER – Query to Get the List of Logins Having System Admin (sysadmin) Permission
Many scripts online miss logins when listing sysadmin members. Why the common query is wrong, plus a correct one for logins with System Admin permission.
SQL SERVER – TDE Effects on TempDB’s Slow Performance
A client had slow performance out of nowhere. The cause was TDE effects on TempDB after someone tested encryption on production. Here is what I learned.
Why an Encrypted Column Shows NULL on a Subscriber
An encrypted column shows NULL on a subscriber when the subscriber’s symmetric key doesn’t match the publisher’s key. This post reproduces the symptom with two demo databases, compares key_guid in both and shows the fix. It also explains what replication copies and what it leaves behind.
SQL SERVER – Error: 26014 – Unable to Load User-Specified Certificate
A clustered instance would not start: Error 26014, unable to load user-specified certificate. What the ERRORLOG showed and how we got SQL Server running again.
SQL SERVER – Log Shipping Copy Job Failure – The Password for This Account Has Expired
A reader’s log shipping copy job was failing with ‘The password for this account has expired’. Here is how we found the cause and fixed it.
SQL SERVER – Best Practices About SQL Server Service Account and Password Management
Should the SQL Server Service Account be a local or domain admin? No. Best practices from a client Q&A on service accounts, permissions and passwords.