SQL Tools

  • Hello,

    since I haven't found any good references on the web I thought I just might ask you all experts what tools do you [suggest]/use with number of MS SQL Server 2000 & 2005. I need to assemble toolbox which would cover:

    - backup

    - transaction log browse/recovery

    - audit

    - configuration change/compare management (ie deploying changes to other servers, compare schema and config)

    - performance

    I know it's a big field and I might have quite a budget for this, but I would still like to hear what is really good and useful (as in high-end and midle price range).

    Thanx

  • For backups, I use the 'native' SQL Server backup commands to backup my databases and logs to disk (free). Then I use Veritas Backup Exec to copy the backup file to disk. But once you make the backup to disk, you could use any backup program to copy the file to tape.

    For reading the Transaction Log, I've heard that Lugiment's Log Explorer is good.

    For performance, I just use the SQL Server Profiler and the Windows PerfMon (Both free).

    -SQLBill

  • "For reading the Transaction Log, I've heard that Lugiment's Log Explorer is good."

    Lumigent Log Explorer is a very useful tool. However, if you have very large log files or log backup files you want to analyze, it can really run slow. Also, large numbers of columns in your tables makes it difficult to browse your log.

    As for backup and performance, i also use the basic SQL features. They are free and have worked very well for me.

    Regards, Jim C

  • Backups: Native SQL works great and is bulletproof. If you have lots of data, however, then you might want to look at Red Gate, Quest, Idera for a compression utility

    Log Reader: They all work great, choose the one you like and fits your budget.

    Audit - It seems that Idea has a nice product for this. No idea on usability or $$.

    Config change - Again, Idera or check out Innovartis' (we did a review recently) DBGhost

    Performance - Haven't worked with one I like, but there are a few out there, Quest and Idera have products in this area.

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