OK I'm on a roll here blogging as my brain is full up on the MCA course. Here's a good tip on how to calculate the MAX_SERVER_MEMORY a) calculate worker threads (assuming set correctly, as default max 255 may be too low for huge beasts) select max_workers_count...

I have a little picture below to show how memory is broken up in the SQL Server Working set. Some key Myths to dispel: a) The Max Memory Setting only sets the target memory for the buffer pool not for the whole of SQL Server working set. So do not set...

Exam #3 at the SQL Ranger course is tomorrow and a few of the candidates and Instructors have spoken about the huge pressure on Candidates. Most people come from a community where they ARE the SQL experts and highest authority. Their managers, co-workers...

I have been doing a great course with Paul Randal on disaster recovery for SQL Server. He has a great blog on just about everything to do with DBCC and disk structures and recovery. See http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/paul/default.aspx Here is a little...

I've just survived week 3 of the SQL Ranger Rotation 04 here in Redmond. Whats its been like: a break neck sprint through level 300-500 content on SQL nearly every aspect of SQL. Man I thought I was good on SQL Server until Paul Randal started explaining...

There is a new white paper available on managing SQL Server for MOSS environments. http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=111531&clcid=0x409 Great tips on Index defragging and use of DBCC. One thing that I'm not sure I entirely agree with is the adding...

I'll be off to the states for the four week MCA:Database training. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/database/default.mspx Speaking to people who have been on the course before this is really exciting. We get to spend four weeks in training...

Sorry I've been off the radar a while. I've been working as a Solution Architect on a large telco solution. I'm very happy with the results, We managed to make good use of lots of SQL Server programmability features such as XML, service broker, SQL CLR...