Author: stevestedman

If you’ve ever looked at a slow SQL Server system and thought, “We probably need better indexes,” you’re not alone. The hard part usually isn’t knowing that indexing matters. It’s knowing where to start. Most environments have hundreds (or thousands) of tables. Many already have indexes. Some have too many. And if you start guessing, you can easily end up with indexes that don’t help, don’t get used, or worse, slow down writes and inflate storage. That’s why Database Health …

Adding New Indexes: Where Do You Start? Read more »

When it comes to fine-tuning SQL Server for optimal performance, database administrators often explore a variety of settings to squeeze out every bit of efficiency. One such setting, “Boost SQL Server Priority,” might catch your eye with its enticing name, promising to elevate SQL Server’s performance above other processes. However, before you rush to enable this option, it’s critical to understand what it truly does and the potential risks it carries. This setting, buried within SQL Server’s configuration options, adjusts …

Boost SQL Server Priority: Understanding Risks and Best Practices for Performance Tuning Read more »

Understanding SQL Server Error Severity Levels 19 through 25: A Comprehensive Guide SQL Server employs error severity levels to categorize and communicate the seriousness of issues encountered during database operations. These severity levels span from 0 to 25, encompassing a wide range of problems, from minor informational messages to devastating system failures. In this detailed blog post, we will dive deep into severity levels 19 through 25, which represent the most critical and urgent errors in SQL Server. Understanding these …

SQL Server Error Severity Levels 19-25: Critical Issues Explained Read more »

Understanding and Resolving SQL Server Error 18456 If you’ve been working with SQL Server for a while, chances are you’ve encountered the dreaded “Login failed for user” error, known as Error 18456. This error is one of the most common authentication issues in SQL Server, and it can be frustrating because it doesn’t always give a clear explanation of the root cause. In this blog post, I’ll dive into what SQL Server Error 18456 is, why it occurs, and how …

How to Fix SQL Server Error 18456: Causes and Solutions Read more »

What Are SQL Agent Jobs and Why Do They Matter? If you’ve been working in a SQL Server environment for any length of time, you’ve likely encountered SQL Server Agent Jobs. But what exactly are these jobs, and why are they considered a cornerstone of efficient database management? Whether you’re a seasoned database administrator (DBA) or just starting out, understanding SQL Agent Jobs is crucial for maintaining a healthy and optimized SQL Server. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive …

Understanding SQL Server Agent Jobs: A Guide to Automation and Efficiency Read more »

February: The Month of Performance at Stedman Solutions! February is here, and at Stedman Solutions, LLC, we’re declaring it Performance Month! As a seasoned expert in SQL Server since 1990, I’m excited to share exclusive opportunities this month to turbocharge your SQL Server’s performance. Here are three pivotal ways you can participate in Performance Month with Stedman Solutions: 1. Free Email Course on Performance Tuning Kick off Performance Month with our free email course on SQL Server performance tuning. This …

February: The Month of Performance at Stedman Solutions! Read more »

Database Health Monitor is designed to surface a large amount of information quickly, often across many servers and databases. Knowing how to navigate efficiently can save time and make reviews feel far more natural, especially when moving between instance-level views and database-specific reports. Understanding the Server Tree on the Left The left-hand server tree is the primary navigation hub within Database Health Monitor. Everything begins here, and once the structure is familiar, moving through the application becomes intuitive. Server Level …

Navigating Database Health Monitor: Tips to Work Faster Read more »

What is an Inner Select in SQL? SQL is a powerful tool for managing and manipulating data within relational databases. Among its many features, one concept that often puzzles beginners and even seasoned developers is the idea of an “inner select.” Also known as a subquery or nested query, an inner select is a query embedded within another query, allowing for more complex and dynamic data retrieval. Understanding how inner selects work is crucial for writing efficient and effective SQL …

What is an Inner Select in SQL Read more »