My Articles

by Feodor Georgiev, 09 January 2013
2 comments

In this article Feodor clears up a few myths about storage, explains the difference in how HDDs and SSDs work and looks into the considerations every DBA should have in mind when choosing / working with SSDs. Read more…

How come the Hourglass? Why database applications slow down.

by Feodor Georgiev, 28 November 2012

It is frustrating when you hit ‘submit’ and you get the hourglass big-time. Is it the database to blame? It could be, but there are other suspects that should be considered. Feodor describes where, in the long route, to and fro’, that a data request makes before returning, that things can get snarled up. Read more…

Handling Backups for Rapid Resilience

by Feodor Georgiev, 20 November 2012
6 comments

The backup and restore system in SQL Server hasn’t changed a great deal over the years despite a huge growth in the typical size of databases. When disaster strikes, and an important service is taken offline while a restore is performed, there is often time to reflect on whether it might be possible to design databases for a more rapid recovery of the most critical parts of a database application. Read more…

Designing Databases for Rapid Resilience

by Feodor Georgiev, 15 October 2012

As the volume of data increases, DBAs need to plan more actively for rapid restores in the event of failure. For this, the intelligent use of filegroups is important, particularly when the Enterprise Edition of SQL Server offers the hope of online restores. How,… Read more…

Exploring SSIS Architecture and Execution History Through Scripting

by Feodor Georgiev | 16 February 2012 |

When you are using SSIS, there soon comes a time when you are confronted with having to do a tricky task such as searching for particular connection strings in all your SSIS packages, or checking the execution history of scheduled SSIS jobs. You can do this type of… Read more…

Administrating SQL Server Integration Services – Planning, Documenting and Troubleshooting

by Feodor Georgiev | 12 December 2011 |

3 comments |

SQL Server Integration Services is an essential component of SQL Server, and designed to perform a variety of routine and occasional tasks. It majors on ETL tasks and for administrative jobs across servers. The DBA needs also to be aware of their role in optimising… Read more…

Administrating SQL Server Reporting Services – Planning, Documenting and Troubleshooting

by Feodor Georgiev | 22 November 2011 |

11 comments |

DBAs are usually charged with the administration of Reporting Services, but are often short on guidance on how to go about such tasks as planning, documenting and troubleshooting those aspects that are specific to the SSRS service. Feodor gives some tips, custom… Read more…

Database Documentation – Lands of Trolls: Why and How?

by Feodor Georgiev | 07 April 2011 |

4 comments |

When database documentation is mentioned in an IT Department, everybody nods wisely, yet everyone does their best to avoid doing it. Attention to the database documentation can be the best invertment in time a development group can make. It is essential, and no… Read more…

The default trace in SQL Server – the power of performance and security auditing

by Feodor Georgiev | 14 March 2011 |

21 comments |

Since the introduction of SQL Server 2005, there is a simple lightweight trace that is left running by default on every SQL Server. This provides some very valuable information for the DBA about the running server, but it isn’t well-documented. Feodor reveals many… Read more…

Collecting Performance Data into a SQL Server Table

by Feodor Georgiev | 20 January 2011 |

16 comments |

Occasionally, when tracking down a performance problem, you have to have information over time on the values of particular sets of performance counters. To track down the more insidious or sporadic problem, it is best to have the data in a SQL Server table, so you… Read more…