What tools SQL Server DBA needs on his machine

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What tools SQL Server DBA needs on his machine

Feivel

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Points: 7524
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December 29, 2017 at 9:46 am

#327013

I am looking out for some suggestions on what tools a SQL Server DBA would need on his machine such as ssms, visual studio, any other tools that are out there by Microsoft or any 3rd party vendor that can help ease the DBA day to day task such as maybe some useful scripts, password management tools, maybe visio for using stencils to design how the topology looks, tools for database design, monitoring tool, comparing 2 tables for differences etc.It can be a free or a paid tool...although a suggestion for free tool would be most acceptable. Also, any other things that come in mind that can help ease of the DBA tasks.

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Lynn Pettis SSC Guru Points: 442467 More actions · Answer 1

Lynn Pettis

SSC Guru

Points: 442467

December 29, 2017 at 9:51 am

#1973856

The Redgate tools would be helpful.

Gail Shaw SSC Guru Points: 1004504 More actions · Answer 2

Anyone who uses computers should be using password managers, so that's a no-brainer.

Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

We walk in the dark places no others will enter
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Joie Andrew One Orange Chip Points: 27360 More actions · Answer 3

SSMS, VS, SSDT, SqlServer PowerShell module, RedGate Toolbelt. Kerberos Configuration Manager for SQL Server, PVKConverter, maybe SQL Server Operations Studio.

I know in my shop we are also looking to get ER/Studio as well.

Joie Andrew
"Since 1982"

RandomStream Hall of Fame Points: 3735 More actions · Answer 4

It looks like you have multiple hats. The tools you need depends on the tasks you do. SSMS (and that implies SQLCMD and BCP etc) is a must. If you are into scripting/coding, a good text editor will make your life easier. Within my collections, Adam Machanic's sp_WhoisActive and Glenn Berry's SQL Server Diagnostic query sets are my top favorites.

Chris Harshman SSC-Forever Points: 42192 More actions · Answer 5

For scripts, the free SP_Blitz scripts from Brent Ozar's group provide a wealth of information for a DBA:
https://www.brentozar.com/first-aid/

If you ever are working on helping a developer optimize queries, a powerful free tool is SentryOne Plan Explorer:
https://www.sentryone.com/plan-explorer

You probably want some kind of performance monitoring tool, so you can quickly and easily see which servers are having problems. Of course there are many available for cost, and which one is best is a matter of opinion.