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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

Video: Getting Started with SQL Server Execution Plans

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I put this video together in about ten minutes of T-SQL code prep, and one-take of the video.   It is not meant to be an all-inclusive lesson…merely an introduction to how to read SQL Server Execution Plans (Right to Left, Top to Bottom, etc.) and some basic things to look at.  Senior performance tuning DBAs…you probably don’t want to watch this 🙂

Comments and likes are appreciated if you think it has value…

Thanks for watching!

Kevin3NF

Apprentice update 2019

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If you have been following this blog or my Twitter account long enough you are aware of the Apprentice.

I started teaching him SQL Server Database Administration a few hours a week back in January 2017.  Literally, starting with “What is a database?”

Much of the material and ideas have now turned into SQL Saturday presentations all over the US, or YouTube videos.

In May of 2018, I hired the Apprentice as a part-time Junior DBA, and handed him 4 entry-level clients.  These typically require no more than 15 minutes a day, but for him early on, each was an hour.   Different monitoring tools, different scripts, different VPNs, etc.  One has only 2 servers, others 20 or more between on-prem and Azure.  One has a failover cluster, replication and a huge Integration Services deployment.

He’s handled it all like a champ.  Knows the basics inside and out, and escalates to me with questions.

Fun stuff that happened in 2018:

  • Multiple SQL user group events
  • SQL Saturday Dallas – he helped run the Dallas DBAs booth
  • Got a 10% year-end bonus
  • LOTS of prep for test 70-462
  • Wrote a blog post
  • Had his first ever performance review

Goals and fun things for 2019:

  • Goal: Increase to 4 hours a day (need a new 2-hours/day client…anyone??)
  • Goal: Show up on time every day (12:30 pm)
  • Goal: Pass 70-462, and start working on 70-764/765 to get his MCSA
  • Fun: Travel to a SQL Saturday and co-present a pre-con and/or regular session
  • Fun: Blog something
  • Fun: Get a raise
  • Fun: Help find the next apprentice

Feel free to drop a comment of encouragement or stalk him on Twitter!

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF

SQL Saturday Cincinnati 2019

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Dallas DBAs is proud to announce that we are a ?Diamond Sponsor? of SQL Saturday Cincinnati on March 30, 2019, being held at the University of Cincinnati.  We will be presenting a lunch session: “Your SQL Servers Are Misconfigured!”

In addition, Dallas DBAs team members Kevin and Derek will present a pre-conference on Friday, March 29: “DBA Fundamentals: Give yourself a solid SQL Server foundation.”  This all day session is targeted to Developers, Students, System Admins, Managers, Oracle DBAs, etc.  Anyone that can benefit from knowing more about the Administration side of SQL Server. $75.

Please come Saturday for a free day full of training options. Register here.

DBA Fundamentals pre-cons 2019

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While this post is for everyone, it is specifically written for  SQL Saturday organizers…

I am filling out my 2019 schedule of target dates/locations of SQL Saturdays I want to attend/present (US only…I don’t even have a passport)

I am offering to do my DBA Fundamentals pre-con and one or two Saturday sessions (Security/DR) with a twist:

You keep my part of the pre-con proceeds for your group.  I’ll cover my own travel, meals, etc. if you provide the space.  This should allow you to increase your funding for the rest of the event, buy some pizza for your local group, or even discount the pre-con price should you choose to do so.

If you only have 1 or 2 pre-con spots and cannot secure an additional room at your venue, please pick from the other submissions 🙂

Tentative schedule:

  • January –
  • March – Chicago (23rd, submitted) or Cincinnati (30th)
  • April – Dallas *
  • June –
  • August –
  • October –
  • December –

* All of these are tentative, some dates not granted yet

So, dear organizer…if you think this offer will be a benefit to your SQL Saturday, please get in touch and let me know what your planned date is so I can be sure to submit.  [email protected]

Thanks for reading!

Kevin3NF

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