Sep 09, 2020
SQL Server 2016 - Row Level Security (RLS)
Hello again friends, I'm glad you could join me for another foray into the exciting world of SQL Server 2016. I'd like to have a brief chat with you today [...]
Sep 01, 2020
SQL Server 2016 - Always Encrypted
Hello again everyone, both of you. Seriously, I have no idea what my audience is, this could end up being just a therapeutic exercise for my own peace of mind. In any [...]
May 16, 2021
What to expect from SQL Server 2016
After a long awaited time, Microsoft has announced that their next version of SQL server, SQL Server 2016, will launch on 1st June, 2016. In addition to the many [...]
May 03, 2021
SQL Server 2016 “Everything Built-in” arrives on 1st of June
Today Microsoft proudly announced that the latest version of their data strategy, Microsoft SQL Server 2016, will be released on 1 June 2016. Described as "Everything [...]
Jul 21, 2020
Visual creation of a Microsoft Azure SQL Database.
Hi Kids, welcome back for another thrilling, and hopefully edifying, blog post. You may recall that I wrote a blog a little while ago about creating a database using [...]
Jun 16, 2020
What? Cosmic rays?
Okay, so the title. What's that about? I mean, good gravy, how are cosmic rays in anyway relevant to a blog about SQL Server? Srsly? Have you ever heard of DBCC? [...]
May 07, 2021
Have you ever...?
Have you ever...? These three words at the beginning of a sentence usually mean that the person asking has done something in the past that they're not quite sure [...]
Apr 16, 2021
Odds are you are going to want to know something about this.
Have you ever watched the NRL Grand Final or perhaps the finale of The Block? How about the great race, Bathurst? Some amazing results with such matches and shows. Well, [...]
Feb 13, 2021
Two DBAs walk into a NoSQL bar
Two DBAs walk into a NoSQL bar and leave rather hurriedly when they can't find a table. Insert geek laugh here. Weak, isn't it? Well at least it gives me an opening [...]
Dec 01, 2020
'CONNECT ANY DATABASE' in SQL Server 2014
Today, I'd like to have a look at a new permission added to SQL Server 2014 that gives us a couple of interesting possibilities. So, hang in there while we have a quick [...]
Nov 03, 2020
SQL Server in Microsoft Azure virtual machines
You know that virtual machine you’re using that’s hosted on Windows Server 2012 R2 or System Center 2012 R2? Well, that same virtualisation technology is now available [...]
Oct 16, 2020
Get into the cloud with Visual Studio Online
Did you know there's such a thing called Microsoft Visual Studio Online now? You didn't?! Let's have a quick look, shall we? Alright, so you know the whole world is [...]
Sep 09, 2020
Cloud computing with Microsoft Azure
In my previous blog post (The basics of cloud computing), I explained the concept of cloud computing, cloud services, types of cloud and the Microsoft cloud technologies [...]
Aug 19, 2020
The basics of cloud computing
The term "cloud computing" covers a wide range of concepts, technologies, and techniques for creating scalable, flexible, and manageable IT infrastructure solutions. [...]
Aug 15, 2020
An epiphany about the cloud
I’m going to take you on a short journey, back a couple of years where we’ll find a younger version of myself, bright-eyed, enthusiastic…nah, really not a lot different. [...]
Jul 31, 2020
Become an ace in Microsoft Azure SQL Database
In my last post, Crash course in Microsoft Azure SQL Database, I discussed the Azure SQL Database platform, its role and key features. So now that we're across this, [...]
Jul 24, 2020
Crash course in Microsoft Azure SQL Database
Microsoft Azure SQL Database (formerly known as SQL Azure) is an easy to provision and manage cloud-based database management solution based on SQL Server [...]
Jun 26, 2020
Data Quality in SQL Server 2014 for dummies (Part 2)
In my last blog post, we had a mini crash course on data quality and the three elements essential to data quality - knowledge base, domain, and Reference Data Service [...]
Jun 20, 2020
Data Quality in SQL Server 2014 for dummies (Part 1)
Data quality is a major concern for anyone building a data warehousing solution. As organisations consume more data from more data sources, the need for data quality [...]
May 30, 2021
Implementing security in SQL Server 2014
Today, I want to discuss some of the security enhancements in SQL Server 2014, but before I do, have you ever considered how SQL Server compares to other database [...]
May 16, 2021
Implementing Big Data Solutions in SQL Server 2014
Hadoop. Hadoop. Hadoop. Big Data. Big Data. Big Data. How many times have you heard the above terms in the last six months? How many times do you think one or the [...]
Apr 22, 2021
PowerShell is for infrastructure types...right.
In today's post, I would like to have a little discussion about PowerShell. Now I can already hear a number of you saying "What are you doing talking about PowerShell? [...]
Apr 08, 2021
Scripting in SQL Server 2014
Today, I'm going to go into a little more detail with a topic I've previously covered, that is, scripting. There have been a few blog posts about PowerShell and I very [...]
Apr 01, 2021
SQL Server 2014: Now how do I get certified?
Dear Uncle Adam, How are you? Well, I hope. So, here's my problem. Microsoft has released SQL Server 2014 and they've signaled that there are going to be some [...]
Mar 20, 2021
SQL Server 2014: In-Memory Database Capabilities
Do you remember my blog about 'Hekaton'? You don't? Well, you can click here to have a look. What I want to do now, though, is update you on that. 'Hekaton' was a [...]
Mar 13, 2021
What's new in SQL Server 2014 Database Development
Are you excited yet? SQL Server 2014 is just around the corner. The actual release date is vague, but it's generally believed to be in the first half of this year, and [...]
Feb 18, 2021
PowerPivot and Analysis Services Tabular Data Models
Have you tried using Excel's PowerPivot? For those of you who have, it's awesome, isn't it? If you haven't, have a crack, you'll find the experience rewarding. What I [...]
Jan 21, 2021
Owning the runway with BI Semantic Model
I believe there's some confusion about the BI Semantic Model (BISM), multidimensional models, and tabular models. Further to this is the question of "when can I use MDX [...]
Jan 09, 2021
Power View just got better!
Okay, so have you done our 10778 course? The SQL Server 2012 Data Models and Reports course? Oh, you haven't. I see. Well... you should, it's REALLY good! Anyway, [...]
Dec 12, 2020
The Pros and Cons of SSAS Tabular Models in SQL Server 2012
I’m a BIG fan of the new SSAS Tabular Models, which is a new data model that Microsoft has introduced in SQL Server 2012. In many ways, it’s a technology competing with [...]
Nov 26, 2020
The dirty little secret of Transparent Data Encryption (SQL Server 2012)
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a very cool feature of SQL Server that has been with us since SQL Server 2008 but has been underused. "It sounds great, but what is [...]
Oct 16, 2020
Hello, my name is Hekaton - it's nice to meet you!
Alrighty then, so, you've had a bit of a look at SQL Server 2012, you may even have taken one or two of their superb MOC courses, and you’re probably asking yourself, [...]