Article Library, Page 4
Every Red9 article in one place, most recently updated first. Written by the senior DBAs who do the work.
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Guide · SQL Server Health CheckSQL Server Page Verification CHECKSUMPAGE_VERIFY CHECKSUM lets SQL Server catch disk corruption before it spreads. See why the default matters, how to check it, and how to switch it on.
Guide · SQL Server TipsMain Differences Between MS SQL Server Native Backups and 3rd Party ToolsWhat are the main differences between Microsoft SQL Server native backup and 3rd party backup? Turns out there are quite a few...
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckOptimal Windows OS Page File Settings for SQL ServerSet the Windows page file correctly for SQL Server: the right size relative to RAM, why the defaults hurt, and the settings that keep memory pressure low.
Guide · SQL Server TipsMicrosoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): Download & InstallDownload the latest SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), online or offline installer, with a step-by-step Windows setup and system requirements.
Guide · SQL Server TipsKeep SQL Server Backups Safe: Best PracticesSQL Server backup best practices start with a restore plan. Check schedules, storage, backup verification and test restores before you need them.
Guide · SQL Server Migrations & Upgrades[Complete Guide] Amazon RDS Managed InstanceMove SQL Server to a managed database? Start with these Amazon RDS for SQL Server guides on migration, storage, licensing, security and availability.
Guide · SQL Server SecurityAzure SQL and Security Best PracticesIn Azure SQL Security - where do you begin? While Azure helps secure your assets, a great deal of responsibility is on the customer to do their part.
Client Result · SQL Server SecurityWhy SQL Server Backups Fail When You Need Them Most: A 3-Month Bank Outage Case StudyYour SQL Server Backups Are Probably Worthless: The Banking Horror Story That Proves Why (3 Months, No Money, Complete Chaos).
Client Result · SQL Server Performance TuningHow We Made T-SQL Queries Run 34,785 Times FasterDiscover a simple optimization trick that slashed SQL query execution time from 3,200 sec to less than 1 sec. Click to read the step-by-step guide!
Guide · SQL Server TipsSQL Server Monitoring Software ToolsChoosing SQL Server monitoring tools? Read Red9's take on alert noise, useful diagnostics and why default settings may leave DBAs short of answers.
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckSQL Server Max Memory ParameterSet SQL Server max server memory with room left for Windows. Find the SSMS setting, check your workload and spot the signs of memory pressure.
Guide · SQL Server Migrations & UpgradesMicrosoft SQL Server Migration Strategies to AWSMigrate SQL Server to AWS. Compare EC2 with Amazon RDS on licensing, backups, compatibility and availability before choosing your migration path.
Guide · SQL Server Tips[3-Step Process] How to Check for Updates in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)Check your SSMS version and update to the latest release in a few clicks. Where to find the version number, and the offline installer option.
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckRemoving Offline Databases and Orphaned Data Files From Your SQL ServerIdentify and remove offline databases and orphaned data files in SQL Server to free up storage. Includes scripts and tips for safe removal.
Guide · SQL Server SecurityHow to Prevent SQL InjectionsWe provide important tips on prevention and detection of SQL injection vulnerabilities, as well as tools for scanning and testing your code.
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckSQL Server Agent Job History RetentionSQL Server keeps only 1,000 Agent job history rows by default, too low for production. Calculate the right limits and apply them via SSMS or T-SQL.
Guide · SQL Server TipsAzure Stack On-Premises & How It’ll Blow Your MindNotes from an Azure Stack presentation: running Azure services on premises, disconnected deployments and use cases where data must stay local.
Client Result · SQL Server Migrations & UpgradesHow Real Workload Testing Cut Azure SQL Hyperscale Costs by 46% and Saved $86,000 a YearUsing DEA and production replays, we benchmarked six Azure SQL configs, avoided a serverless misstep, and delivered 46% cost savings with better performance.
Guide · SQL Server Performance TuningPage Life Expectancy & Why Should You Care?Page Life Expectancy shows how long data stays in memory. What counts as a healthy PLE, why the old 300 rule is wrong, and what a low number really means.
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckThe Proper Way to Set Up SQL Server AlertsSet up SQL Server monitoring alerts for serious errors and I/O warnings. Create an operator, choose the events and notify the right person.
Guide · SQL Server Performance TuningWhy Your SQL Server Column Design Could Be Costing You 20% of Your CPU PowerA single SQL Server column mistake cost 15–20% CPU. Learn how right-sizing NVARCHAR(max) + adding indexes quickly delivered big performance gains.
Guide · SQL Server TipsOracle Database (19c 23ai): A C-Level Overview for 2025What changed from Oracle 19c to 23c that a CTO should care about: support timelines, AI features, and whether an upgrade is worth the disruption.
Guide · SQL Server Migrations & UpgradesThe CTO How-to Guide to SQL Server Migration: A Decision FrameworkA practical guide for CTOs on how to migrate SQL Server. Covers risk management, compliance, hardware aging, hidden costs, and upgrade strategy.
Guide · SQL Server Migrations & UpgradesThe Complete SQL Server Migration Strategy GuideComplete SQL Server migration strategy guide for CTOs and IT Directors. Learn decision frameworks, implementation phases, testing strategies & case studies.
Guide · SQL Server TipsWhy Shrinking SQL Server Databases Is Almost Always a Terrible IdeaShrinking a SQL Server database fragments your indexes and tanks performance, then it grows right back. What to do instead when you actually need space.
Guide · SQL Server SecurityHow to Identify and Fix Orphaned Users in SQL Server (and Why It Matters)Restored a database and users can’t log in? You’ve got orphaned users. Find and fix them fast with one T-SQL script - no guesswork, no drama.
Guide · SQL Server TipsWhy Setting Up Right SQL Job Owner Matters?The wrong Agent job owner causes silent failures. Set jobs to sa or a dedicated account to fix permissions, tighten security, and stop random breakage.
Guide · SQL Server Health CheckSQL Server Database AssessmentsBring your data to Red9 and ensure that your SQL Server infrastructure on-premise or on cloud is deployed in a way that is optimal for your needs.
Case Study · SQL Server Performance TuningHow We Made T-SQL Queries 6 Times FasterDiscover a simple optimization trick that slashed SQL query execution time from 1,881 to just 295 ms. Read the full step-by-step guide!
Case Study · SQL Server Performance TuningHow We Made SQL Server Run 9 Times FasterLearn how a simple trick made several slow SQL queries run way faster. Check out our step-by-step guide and boost your database performance.
Case Study · SQL Server Performance TuningHow We Made T-SQL Queries 3 Times FasterLearn how a simple trick made a slow SQL query run in less than a second. Check out our step-by-step guide and boost your database performance.
Case Study · SQL Server Performance TuningHow We Boosted SQL Server Performance to Run 51 Times FasterLearn how a simple trick made 3 slow SQL queries run way faster. Check out our step-by-step guide and boost your database performance today.