Grant Fritchey

13Apr 2020 by Grant Fritchey 10 Comments

Develop Resiliency

We are all going through some tough times. It's tougher for some more than others. Now is the time when you have to work on being resilient, and it ain't easy. However, there are things you can do to develop resilience. Like most things, it's actually a skill that can be learned. Let's start with a little disclaimer up front. I'm no expert on this topic. However, I do have a few bonafides and I'll share them so you know where I'm coming from. If you don't care, skip to the next section. My Training and Experience In Resiliency Without going into personal details, like everyone, one of my teachers has simply been life. At 57, I've done a few things and been a few places. I've gone through tough,…

06Apr 2020 by Grant Fritchey 6 Comments

What Prevents You From Securing Your Servers?

Database Fundamentals

Reading about how hackers are using SQL Server instances that are exposed on the internet AND have weak passwords to work into systems, I'm sitting here wondering why. I get it. A pretty hefty majority of these were simply set up by people who didn't know any better. Computers and databases are now so wonderfully easy, almost anyone can slap together a database server, and do. Simple ignorance leads them to misconfigure the systems and leave them exposed. So, while it's hard to forgive this ignorance, it's easy to understand. I sincerely doubt we'll ever be able to do much about it. I suppose if systems were designed to be secure from the moment of installation, that would help. Stuff like ElasticSearch having it's development servers have zero security out…

31Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Unit Testing & Intelligent Query Processing

Uncategorized

Actually, these two topics don't have anything to do with one another. I just ran out of days to promote everyone individually who was taking part in putting on Redgate Streamed. Steve Jones Steve is one of the better people I know when it comes to the wisdom and need for testing. Speaking only for myself, I kind of hate setting up tests. Yes, I know how vital they are. Yes, I know they make an enormous positive impact on our ability to generate better code, faster. Yes, I know they're a fundamental aspect of DevOps. Yet, they're a pain the bottom. However, Steve has a way with them. He really does make them look easy. If you're like me and not a huge fan, then his session "The Basics…

30Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Extended Events: Queries and Waits

SQL Server, You Can't Do That In Profiler

Wouldn't it be great to be able to put together queries and waits at the same time? You all capture query metrics using some method. Most of us query sys.dm_os_wait_stats or sys.dm_db_wait_stats. Combining them is hard. You could query the wait stats. Store the results in a table variable. Run the query in question. Then query the wait stats again into a different table variable. Join the two table variables together to find the differences. Ta-da, you have query waits. Well. Probably. If you're the only one running queries on the system. Also, you're not seeing system waits or other noise caused by activity on the system. Or, we could put Extended Events to work. Queries and Waits Just like Profiler/Trace, you can capture stored procedures, batches, and individual statements…

27Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Figuring Out How To Hide Production Data

Redgate Software

There's a really simple conundrum that we go through all the time. The best data for development is productionYou can't have production data for development You have to split the difference here in a pretty fine way. Get the developers the best tools possible while protecting the production information. It's not easy, but I think I can help. Chris Unwin Of my many amazing co-workers, I sometimes think I'm the most jealous of Chris Unwin. It's not because he's smart and capable, most of them are. It's because he's young, filled with ideas, AND smart and capable. He'll be running things long after we're all gone. If you haven't heard Chris speak, I'd recommend you start with DBAle, the beer flavored podcast that he runs covering all things data. However,…

26Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Time To Learn Git

Redgate Software

I love this quote from Kevin Hill (and not because he mentions me): 3 things I can no longer justify ignoring: #dbatools Git and #Docker for my dev SQL work@cl@sqldbawithbeard@Kendra_Little and @unclebiguns@GFritchey, I blame you 🤪😂 Thereâ€™s more but those are top 3â€” SQL Cyclist (@Kevin3NF) November 9, 2019 The reason being, he's right. I'm spending time rewriting some of my own sample code to use DBATools. I'll try to post some of it here when I get it together. I've been screaming about the importance of containers in general and Docker in particular for quite a while now. Finally, I use Git. So should you. However, getting started with Git, especially in a database, isn't that easy. Kendra Little You might notice Kendra's name in the tweet above. She's one of the smarter, more capable people…

25Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

DB Automation with Azure DevOps

Redgate Software

I sincerely believe the key to your future as a DBA is your ability to automate everything you do. However, the single hardest thing that you have to do is keep up with the changing business and IT environment, which means, deployments. Lots of deployments. How are you going to get that done? Cathrine Wilhelmsen I have to admit, publicly, when I first met Cathrine, I was not the nicest person. I just couldn't believe that this person who sounded like they were from Ohio was actually Norwegian. I asked for her drivers license. Thankfully, Cathrine forgave me my rudeness and I'm very grateful for that. The reason I'm grateful is, she's seriously on top of her game when it comes to automation. At the upcoming Redgate Streamed event, April…

24Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Being an Efficient DBA

Redgate Software

Or database developer, report writer, whatever. SQL Server, SQL Server Management Studio, and all the tools provide a bunch of ways to get things done. However, some ways are more efficient than others. Wouldn't it be nice to have all the cool little tips and tricks that can make you more efficient while working with SQL Server? I can help. Please, go check out the agenda for Redgate Streamed, taking place April 1-3. Andy Mallon OK. I can't help, but I know who can, Andy Mallon. I saw this presentation a while back and I was blown away. First up, there is stuff in there to learn for just about everyone. Cool tips that are really useful and will make you more efficient when working with SQL Server. Next, Andy…

23Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey No Comments

Extended Events: Live Data Explorer, Grouping

SQL Server, You Can't Do That In Profiler

Of all the things that Extended Events does, I've found the ability to quickly and easily gather a little bit of data and then use the Data Explorer window Live Data grouping to aggregate it to be one of the greatest. Sure, if we're talking about using Extended Events on a busy production server, this method probably isn't going to work well. There, you are going to be better off querying the XML (I know, I know, but I have ways to help there too). But in development, when doing testing and query tuning, the Live Data window is a gift of the gods on par with fire or beer (it's not as good as whiskey). Live Data Grouping Let's imagine a scenario like this. You're working on some query…

20Mar 2020 by Grant Fritchey 2 Comments

Containers and DevOps

Redgate Software

Over the last couple of years, one of these single most exciting technologies to come out around the Data Platform has been containers. You may not see them change your production setup. However, I guarantee, you're very likely to see them radically change your development process. After all, in a matter of moments, you can have an instance of SQL Server to start development and testing against. Rob Richardson I'm blessed by being surrounded by smart people. One of them that I've been able to interact with a bunch of times is Rob Richardson. I saw him present a session on containers about three years ago. I have to say, at the time, all I could say was: Neat! It took me another year, with several more presentations from other…