There are some urban legends around the Windows stripe size that you should set for SQL Server. I have seen recommendations of 64k for both data and log internally at Microsoft by some heavy hitting data Dudes, so that is good enough for me ;-) Generally...

There is a great article that you should read before configuring a disk subsystem for SQL Server. Predeployment I/O Best Practices . As mentioned, one of the common pitfalls is not ensuring that the offset of the first block is "64k" or a multiple...

Thanks to everyone who attended the SQL Ireland Users group. We discussed some of the main new features in SQL 2008: compression encryption business continuity Resource Governor Entity Data Model Synchronisation Framework DWH Improvements Change Data...

A lot of customers have been asking me if they need to use Enterprise Edition. the basic answer is that EE is sold mainly on the enhanced features which can be compared at: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/features/compare-features.mspx You will...

I've been a bit off radar: up to my neck in a large  sql server / dot.net project and some time off for Christmas. Believe it or not I managed to get my thumb trapped in a Transformer on Christmas day and an ensuing infection - so if you see a consultant...