What is the most recent service pack for...

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.

SQL Server 2005 Roadshows

Ongoing now, the SQL Server 2005 Roadshows in conjunction with PASS. Read Robert Pearl's notes from the show and if you are in Dallas or Houston or Europe, there is still time to attend on of these events.

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.

Controlling Unusually Long Running Jobs

The SQLAgent scheduler in SQL Server 2000 is an amazing tool that allows you to schedule many different kinds of jobs with a great deal of flexibility. However, it doesn't have great facilities for handling jobs that may take longer than expected. And about which you'd like to be notified. Leo Peysakhovich brings us his code and technique for detecting when a job step runs long.

How to use trace flags in SQL Server 2000

SQL Server 2000 trace flags can dramatically alter the behavior and functionality of the server. There are a number of ways that they can be enabled and Chris Hedgate brings us a tutorial on their use and benefits.

Migrating Database Objects

Not a fun task, although SQL Server 2000 makes the job easier than a few other platforms. Still it's work and it starts to encroach on Jeffrey Yao's two DBA laws having to do with fun at work. Read about his laws and see if you agree and follow along on a real world adventure in migrating hundreds of database objects to a new database.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to patch SQL Server, part 2

Welcome to part two of our series on finding and patching SQL Servers in your organization. In part one we discussed how to find all of the SQL Server instances on your network. In this part, we'll discuss patch deployment and the various options available to you.

The replication snapshot agent in SQL Server 2000...

SQL Server 2005 - Management Utilities

A review of some other SQL Server 2005 graphical and command line programs, which should be part of the toolkit of every SQL Server 2005 database administrator and programmer.