Top five wait types become useful when you filter background waits, measure changes over time, and connect them to active work.
SQL SERVER – SSMS: Server Dashboard Report
Like a car’s dashboard, the SSMS Server Dashboard Report shows the health of your SQL Server at a glance. Here is what this basic report tells you.
SQL SERVER – SSIS Component Error Outputs – Notes from the Field #034
Notes from the Field #034: Tim Mitchell explains SSIS component error outputs, how to use them in practice, and the caveats to watch for.
Finding Rows That Differ Between Two Tables With EXCEPT
Use EXCEPT to find differing rows in both directions, compare selected columns, handle NULLs, and distinguish changed keys from additions.
SQL Server: Why Retrying an INSERT Can Create Duplicate Rows
Retrying an INSERT can create duplicate rows even with an identity primary key. These tested examples use a stable request ID to return the original order, reject changed inputs, and preserve unrelated errors.
GDR or CU: Choosing Your Update Branch
Choose GDR or CU for SQL Server by understanding security and cumulative branches, checking the exact build, and testing a branch change.
SQL SERVER – Planned and Unplanned Availability Group Failovers – Notes from the Field #031
In Notes from the Field #031, John Sterrett explains Planned and Unplanned Availability Group failovers in AlwaysOn, a topic that confuses many DBAs.