Author: stevestedman

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The Importance of Comparing Database Schemas in SQL Server and How SchemaDrift Helps In the world of SQL Server management, keeping your databases in sync is a bit like herding cats—tricky, but essential. One of the most critical yet often overlooked tasks is comparing database schemas across environments like development, testing, and production. Schema drift—when these schemas diverge unexpectedly—can lead to application failures, deployment headaches, and data inconsistencies. Enter SchemaDrift from Stedman Solutions LLC, a free tool designed to make …

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Identifying TempDB Bottlenecks with Database Health Monitor Reports SQL Server relies heavily on its TempDB system database, a shared resource that manages temporary storage for the entire instance. This includes user-created objects like temporary tables and table variables, as well as internal needs such as sorting, hashing, and row versioning for features like snapshot isolation. While TempDB is essential, it can become a performance bottleneck in high-transaction environments if it’s not properly managed or resourced. Overloaded TempDB can slow down …

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Steve Stedman here from Stedman Solutions, LLC. If you’ve ever grappled with the complexities of SQL join types, I’ve got something exciting for you. We’re offering a FREE downloadable poster that breaks down the intricacies of SQL joins into an easy-to-understand format. It’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills. A Detailed Look at My Free Joins Type Poster Imagine a vibrant, informative poster hanging on your office wall, designed to demystify SQL Server join …

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Need help with this, Stedman Solutions can help. Find out how with a free no risk 30 minute consultation with Steve Stedman. 3 Essential Checks for Diagnosing a Slow SQL Server Is your SQL Server running slower than usual? Pinpointing the cause of performance issues can feel overwhelming, especially with so many factors at play. Before diving into advanced troubleshooting or rewriting your entire database schema, start with three fundamental checks. These areas—hardware resources, process bottlenecks, and query efficiency—are often …

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Replication in SQL Server is a powerful feature that allows you to copy and distribute data and database objects from one database to another and keep them synchronized. This is especially useful for scenarios like load balancing, high availability, or geographically distributed databases. Understanding the types of Replication available in SQL Server is crucial for choosing the right method to fit your specific needs. In this post, we’ll explore the three primary types of replication in SQL Server: Snapshot Replication, …

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How Critical Is Your SQL Server Performance? Understanding the Impact of Slowdowns When it comes to managing SQL Server, performance isn’t just a number on a dashboard—it’s the heartbeat of your organization’s data-driven operations. Having spent years immersed in the intricacies of SQL Server environments, I’ve seen how peak performance can propel businesses forward, streamlining processes and empowering decisions. But I’ve also seen the flip side: the chaos and frustration that erupt when slowdowns take hold. This isn’t a topic …

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Three Fantastic Ways to Master SQL Server Join Types Hey there, SQL enthusiasts and database professionals! It’s Steve Stedman from Stedman Solutions, LLC. Today, I’m excited to share with you three incredible ways to enhance your understanding of SQL Server join types. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to polish your skills, we’ve got something just for you! 1. Grab Your Free Join Types Poster First up, we’re offering a FREE downloadable poster that visually breaks down SQL join types. …

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I just wanted to let you know that the deadlock tracking has been extremely useful in tracking down issues. Without the tools, it’s was easy to see that one side of the process would fail occasionally, but it was hard to see what process won the deadlock. This is a gamechanger for me. I just wanted to say thanks to you and the team for adding this functionality. Eric – Database Health Monitor User Deadlock Tracking Reports in Database Health …

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Understanding the Quick Scan Report: Backup to NUL The Hidden Risks of SQL Server Backups: Beyond the Basics When it comes to managing SQL Servers, backups are a cornerstone of data protection—but their effectiveness hinges on more than just their existence. Too often, administrators focus solely on scheduling backups without delving into the critical details that determine their reliability. One such overlooked yet perilous practice is backing up to a NUL device. While this technique has niche applications, such as …

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For more information on Database Health Monitor you can visit StedmanSolutions.com. You can download the free trial of Database Health Monitor at https://DatabaseHealth.com/download2. The Risks of Storing User Tables in MSDB: Insights from Database Health Monitor Managing SQL Server effectively requires following best practices and avoiding common pitfalls that can impact performance, security, and maintenance. One often-overlooked issue is the practice of storing user tables in the MSDB database. While it may seem convenient at first, this approach introduces multiple …

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