There are many different types of index that exist in SQL Server. In this guide, I look at what a table and index are, before exploring how SQL Server 2005 and 2008 indexes work, including those that are filtered, special and compressed. Read more…
Author Archives: Brad
Policy-Based Management
If SQL Servers are treated as ‘islands’, each with their own subtly different configurations, managing multiple instances of them can be a frustrating experience for the DBA. SQL Server 2008’s policy-based management aims to help us enforce policies for SQL Server instances throughout an organization. In this article, I look at what policy-based management is, how to implement it, and how to check it is running. Read more…
Management Studio Improvements in SQL Server 2008
SQL Server Management Studio in SQL Server 2005 has faced some tough criticism from DBAs over the years. Microsoft has tried hard to make up for the troubles of the past, bringing a multitude of improvements in SSMS 2008 that I go through in this article. Read more…
DBAs Continue to Make More than Other IT Professionals
According to a study by PayScale, and published in the July/August 2009 issue of Inc. Magazine, Database Administrators make more than Web Developers, IT Managers, Programmer Analysts, and Software Developers (in this order of ranking).
In addition, the study shows that the more experience the DBA has, the more he or she makes. For example, a DBA with 10 years experience makes about 72% more than a DBA with 1 years experience.
Welcome to the New Home of the SQL Aloha Blog
This is the new home for my new blog, SQL Aloha. Instead of posting blog entries at www.SQLServerCentral.com and www.Simple-Talk.com as I have done in the past, I will be posting all of my blog entries here, and then syndicating the blogs back to those websites. This new website will allow me to keep all of my SQL Server-related content in a single location. I will also use it for my presentations, travel schedule, and much more. As you can see, the blog is in beta right now, and won’t be officially go live until September 2009. If you have any feedback in this early beta stage, please let me know.
How to Become an Exceptional DBA, 2nd Edition, Now Available Free
About a year ago, the first edition of my book, How to Become an Exceptional DBA, was published. It was short, about 85 pages, and was written for people who were interested in becoming DBAs, and for current DBAs who wanted to become better DBAs. The focus of the book was on career guidance.
Through out this past year I have gotten a lot of feedback. Here are some short excerpts:
“Your Exceptional DBA book is excellent in terms of guidance and inspiration. Thanks a lot for coming up with such a useful information.”
“At the moment, I am reading your book How to Become an Exceptional DBA. I just can’t thank you enough for this book. This is something I was looking for and I am glad I have found it now.”
“I just finished reading his book a few days ago and am planning on reading it back through, page by page, over again. This book is SO AMAZING and I just don’t want to miss or overlook any details in it. I have been waiting, what seems a lifetime, for someone who is willing to share this much information. Today, many people are not so willing to share their experiences like Brad; so refreshing!”
“Thanks for your well written document about being an Exceptional DBA. I myself have about 15 years of experience, 10 of which as consultant, and I recognize just about all the points you mention. Your eBook was a pleasure to read.”
“I’m just 25 years old and starting to enjoy the possibilities of this field. Everyday I’m becoming more interested in the science of information administration. Your book is inspiring, priceless, and has helped me redefine my professional inner vision.”
Because of the positive reception of the first edition of the book, I have written an updated, second edition. I have updated it to include feedback I have received from the first edition, and I added a lot of new content, including two new chapters. The new edition is now 172 pages long (part of that is because the book was reformatted using slightly larger type), but there is a lot of new content that has been added to all the chapters.
If you would like a free PDF copy of this book, you can visit this link and download it. You will need to click on the red button named “Download Your Free DBA Resources Now”.
Within the next 60 days, the book will be available for purchase, as a paperback, at Amazon.com. I hope you find this book worth reading, and please e-mail if you have any feedback.
Brad M McGehee 