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Kevin3NF

Pluralsight: Getting Started With Your First SQL Server Instance

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Almost a full year after I first thought I might have something relevant to contribute, my first Pluralsight course has been published!

Its called “Getting Started With Your First SQL Server Instance” and is targeted to non-DBAs that want to know more about SQL Server Administration, or just want to understand SQL Server beyond the random Google Search when something breaks.

I’m hoping this is just the first of many “Getting Started…” courses that take SQL Server all the way down to entry-level training so people can learn, then test, then do as they go.

The trailer for the course:

I want to thank Chris and Derek at Pluralsight for their guidance along the way…and a huge shoutout to Eugene Meidinger (b|t) for his valuable input before, during and after the course creation.

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF

T-SQL Tuesday: Cookies…we love cookies!

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T-SQL Tuesday is a monthly blog party for the SQL Server community. It is the brainchild of Adam Machanic (b|t).  This month’s edition is hosted by The Shane (b|t) who has challenged us to Dip Into the Cookie Jar of Goodness we use in order to think back about our accomplishments and take some sustenance from them.  When things suck, it helps to remember that there are White Chocolate Macadamia nut times as well

I have a number of accomplishments (and failures) in my career, pre-IT and as a SQL DBA.  Short list:

  • I learned a few decades ago (when we first got email) to keep an “Ego” folder and put any customer, co-worker and management kudos emails into it.  Even on a good day, go in there and read things.   Also, they help on Performance Reviews.
  • When I first successfully troubleshat a SQL Server replication issue for a customer (during my first Microsoft contract…)
    • That one was a CritSit call from a Premier customer and I knew the answer before they were actually on the phone
  • When I migrated a customer from full-blown Access 97 to SQL 2000 backend/Access .adp front-end and everything was so fast they thought it was broken
  • When a projector failed during my first SQL Saturday presentation (about DR) and I played it off like it was no big deal.   NOBODY knew that was my first talk 🙂
  • The first time someone paid my sticker price consulting rate and thanked me for it
  • When I trained some front-line engineers on Log Shipping nothing more than a white board and 2 different colored markers
  • That day I discovered Starbucks, signed a contract, then discovered Starbucks again.   I’m writing this from a Starbucks….just FYI.
  • …and so many more, because I’m old.

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF

Announcement: Pocket DBA™ service

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Several months ago, we posted a blog about keeping a Database Administrator on retainer for emergencies, called “Put a DBA in Your Pocket”

We cross-posted a version over to LinkedIn at the same time.

The response to both was overwhelmingly positive!

So much so that we are bringing this idea on as a new service offering, effective today!

This service comes with different levels for different needs and budgets.  It is primarily intended for you to be able to get a quick response from someone you trust (that’s us…) when bad things happen to your database server, which they eventually will.  Its the nature of tech.

In addition to being there for emergencies, you also get some periodic proactive benefits as well.

All of the pricing, benefits and terms are on the Pocket DBA™ page, separate from our current Services page.

Launch Special:  All new customers that sign up in February qualify for special rates and additional benefits… This is a limited-time offer, please message me directly for more details.

Contact us today with any questions, or to grab one of those 3 early-adopter spots!

This service is only available to US businesses at this time.

Video: Moving SQL Server Data Files

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If you are like me, when you look at certain pieces of SQL Server documentation the sheer volume of information can be a little overwhelming.

ALTER DATABASE is one of those documents, due to the number of things that can be ALTERed.  The documentation has been improved since I was a young newbie DBA, but still…

Anyway, here is a simple video showing me moving a LOG file from my D drive to the C drive:

If you have comments or questions, please leave them on the video, or ping me on Twitter.

Thanks for watching!

Kevin3NF

IRL: Cannot Connect to SQL Server

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IRL #2 – Connectivity Issues

Problem: Application owner is trying connect to SQL Server to create a database, connection failed.  Error message suggests checking Instance Name and “Allow Remote Connections” option set to True.

Background: This client has a wide variety of SQL Servers in Prod, Test and Dev.  Many different versions and editions, quite a few coming from 3rd party vendors.  This was in a new test environment for an application already up and running in Prod.

Resolution Attempts:

  • Try to Connect via IP address – failed
  • Verify Instance name – verified
  • Verify “Allow Remote Connections” is set to 1/True – it is
  • Verify SQL Browser Service Running – discovered Set to Disabled
  • Verify TCP/IP network protocol enabled – discovered disabled

Solution:

  • Enable TCP/IP for Named Instance SQLEXPRESS03
  • Restart Instance
  • Set SQL Browser Service to Automatic and start
  • Test logon via UDL file – success

Lessons you can benefit from:

  • SQL Express default install only enables Shared memory connections
  • Error messages are not always going to give you complete information
  • Have a process for testing

This entire process took about 10 minutes, including the instance restart.  There are 3 other Express edition installs on this server.

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF