Author: Steve Stedman

This is just one of the many checks that our Daily Checkup and Quickscan Report from Stedman Solutions will report on. Security Risks of SQL Server Agent Jobs at Startup Configuring SQL Server Agent jobs to execute automatically at startup introduces a range of security vulnerabilities and operational challenges that can compromise the integrity, availability, and performance of a SQL Server environment. While certain scenarios—such as replication setups or critical system maintenance tasks—may justify the use of startup jobs, it’s …

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SchemaDrift from Stedman Solutions is a specialized tool designed to track and monitor changes in your SQL Server database schemas over time. Whether it’s a table being altered, a stored procedure being modified, or an index being added or removed—SchemaDrift captures those changes and provides a clear, chronological log of what changed, when it changed, and who changed it (if available). This is critical for maintaining database integrity, auditing, troubleshooting, and ensuring your development, test, and production environments stay in …

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The Critical Importance of Good BACKUPs in SQL Server In the ever-evolving landscape of database management, the significance of maintaining robust, reliable, and well-tested backups cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a seasoned database administrator, a software developer, or a business owner overseeing critical systems, understanding and implementing a comprehensive backup strategy for your SQL Server environment is not merely a recommended best practice—it’s an absolute necessity. Backups serve as the cornerstone of data protection, ensuring your organization can weather unexpected …

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Emergency Table-Level Restore: How Stedman Solutions’ Managed Services Can Save Your SQL Server This post was inspired by a text message from one of our managed services clients at 5am this morning. 26 minutes later we had their table fully restored, most of that time was running the actual restore. Just part of the support we provide to our managed services customers. Imagine it’s a busy day at the office, and suddenly, you’re notified that an essential table in your …

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Are you ready to supercharge your SQL Server’s Performance? If so, you’re in luck! We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive limited-time offer on our comprehensive SQL Server Performance Tuning course, designed to equip database professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize SQL Server Performance effectively. 11% OFF – Enroll Now at 11% off With Coupon Code PERF11 Enroll Now Why Performance Tuning Matters In the fast-paced, data-driven landscape of modern business, performance tuning has evolved from a mere …

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Understanding Merge Replication in SQL Server In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, businesses rely on data that’s both current and accessible, no matter where their teams or systems are located. Whether it’s a sales rep updating customer records in the field, a branch office managing local inventory, or a global enterprise syncing data across continents, keeping databases aligned is a critical challenge. SQL Server’s merge replication rises to this challenge, offering a robust and flexible solution for synchronizing data across distributed …

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The Importance of Comparing Database Schemas in SQL Server and How SchemaDrift Helps In the world of SQL Server management, keeping your databases in sync is a bit like herding cats—tricky, but essential. One of the most critical yet often overlooked tasks is comparing database schemas across environments like development, testing, and production. Schema drift—when these schemas diverge unexpectedly—can lead to application failures, deployment headaches, and data inconsistencies. Enter SchemaDrift from Stedman Solutions LLC, a free tool designed to make …

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Identifying TempDB Bottlenecks with Database Health Monitor Reports SQL Server relies heavily on its TempDB system database, a shared resource that manages temporary storage for the entire instance. This includes user-created objects like temporary tables and table variables, as well as internal needs such as sorting, hashing, and row versioning for features like snapshot isolation. While TempDB is essential, it can become a performance bottleneck in high-transaction environments if it’s not properly managed or resourced. Overloaded TempDB can slow down …

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