Detecting and Resolving Stalled and Stuck I/O Issues in SQL Server 200

Guest columnist Robert Dorr explores how the reporting tool in SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 significantly reduces the time it takes to identify and determine the underlying causes of stalled and stuck I/O operations.

SQL Server OLTP vs. data warehouse performance tuning

SQL Server delivers a number of functions for small to large organizations with needs ranging from internally developed applications to third-party off-the-shelf software. With all systems, data collection, entry and analysis at some level is required to meet organizational needs.

As user demands and the volume of data increase, it is imperative that all systems are properly configured and tuned based on the processing needs to meet the organizational requirements. This article will discuss two broad categories of SQL Server processing -- online transaction processing (OLTP) and data warehouses -- and will outline performance-tuning tips for each platform.

SQL Server 2005 - Setup and Deployment

So far, in our series of articles, we have presented the most significant new and enhanced features available in Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, but neglected to provide you with information regarding its installation. While it is more than likely that, by now, you already have accomplished this entirely on your own, we suspect that you still should be able to benefit from a more in-depth analysis of the setup process. Explaining improvements in its design and implementation is the primary purpose of this article.

How to Pass Access Data Across the Web

The solution described below should probably not be considered a "best practice" but it works. It came to life as I was pondering the following conundrum: How can I pass a little bit of data from an internal Access application behind a firewall out to a public web site in real time?

Identifying Long Running SQL Server Agent Jobs

In my article last month, I wrote about different methods you could use to identify the state of a SQL Server Agent job. One of the methods I discussed was using the undocumented extended stored procedure (XP) "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs." In this article, I will show you how to use the "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs" XP to help identify long running jobs.

Why bother with backup?

Backing up SQL Server data is like many of the things we do because we figure we need to. It is good for you, like eating a good diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, folks are often about as successful with SQL Server backups as they are with diet and exercise.

This is the first in a series of articles covering SQL Server database backup. The series starts from the very basics of why database backup is important. The question of why to backup a database can inform many other decisions.

How to Check the Status of a File Before Processing

SQL Server Database administrators often copy(refer Fig 1.0) huge files, such as Full backup files and transaction log backup files from production to QA or from production to development environment and so on. Sometimes they need to copy source data files for importing. If they want to restore those Full backups or transaction log backup files or import those huge source files, they have to wait until the copy is complete.

A Call to Arms

Long anticipated, the arrival of radically restructured database architectures is now finally at hand. By Jim Gray of Microsoft Research.

XML Indexing In SQL Server 2005

Intrested in how to index XML documents? Here's a 12 page PDF on how this works.

Reporting Services vs. Crystal Reports

A Feature comparison of Reporting Services for SQL 2000 and Crystal Reports / Crystal Enterprise. PDF file link.