SQL Server Cast

Tune into SQL Server Troubleshooting and Tools

Changing Gears …

After 4 years working in Microsoft Support, I have decided to change gears and move into the PFE...

Author: Date: 05/19/2011

Database Transaction Log Cannot be Shrunk Because it is Marked as “REPLICATION” (and Replication has not been Configured)

This week I got involved in a case where a Microsoft Dynamics AX database log could not be reduced...

Author: Date: 03/09/2011

Synchronize two tables using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)-Part II of II

Please, refer to this link for the first part of this post. In this part we will start with the same...

Author: Date: 12/08/2010

Synchronize two tables using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)–Part I of II

There are situations where a SQL Server DBA needs to keep two different tables in sync. Usually, the...

Author: Date: 12/07/2010

Kerberos Error Configuring SQL Server Linked Server for Delegation

Today I want to post about my findings on a case involving a linked server between two SQL Server...

Author: Date: 11/30/2010

“Cannot open the datafile <path_to_file>” Error Accessing a Flat File in SSIS Using a Proxy Account

I did find this error on a Windows Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 installation but as you will see...

Author: Date: 11/28/2010

What are Sparse Files and Why Should I Care as SQL Server DBA?

Last week I worked with one of my co-workers from the Windows Platform Support group in a...

Author: Date: 11/25/2010

“The IP Address 'x.x.x.x' is already in use. To continue, specify a different IP address” SQL Server 2008 cluster setup error

Today I want to talk about my experience with one of the most strange setup errors installing SQL...

Author: Date: 11/21/2010

“OnlineThread: SQL Cluster shared data upgrade failed” error (ID 19019) installing Cumulative Update in SQL Server cluster

Last week I was working with a customer on this obscure SQL Server error right after installing...

Author: Date: 10/14/2010

Unexpected Behavior Setting Up Firewall Rules with Clustered SQL Server Instances

If you have ever try to setup firewall rules in your network to manage access to SQL Server you have...

Author: Date: 10/05/2010

Running a Maintenance Plan Using dtexec.exe Command Prompt Utility Does Not Perform Any Action

SQL Server Maintenance Plans bring an easy way to DBAs to quickly setup routine maintenance...

Author: Date: 02/04/2010

“The domain group cannot be validated for the service SQL Server” SQL Server 2005 cluster SP3 setup error

Here again I am trying to shed some light on another SQL Server 2005 setup error that you may...

Author: Date: 11/19/2009

“Failed to find a cluster group that owned shared disk” SQL Server 2005 setup error

I think it could be interesting to share this SQL Server 2005 setup error since the message written...

Author: Date: 11/12/2009

Lesson Learnt while Configuring Security on a Job Running through Linked Server

This case taught me a very useful lesson about how impersonation works when executing a SQL Server...

Author: Date: 10/19/2009

SQL Server 2005 Service Pack does not Update all the Installed Components

Some weeks ago I received a call from one of our customers concerning the SP3 installation on SQL...

Author: Date: 09/07/2009

Open Windows Firewall Ports for SQL Server the Easy Way

After installing a new SQL Server 2008 instance on my Windows 7 laptop I find myself unable to logon...

Author: Date: 08/25/2009

Do Not Use Cluster Server Recovery Utility on 64-bits Windows Server

You probably have heard about Cluster Server Recovery Utility before, a nice Windows utility that...

Author: Date: 07/13/2009

“SQLBrowser start request failed” Error Installing SQL Server 2008

I worked last day on an very tricky SQL Server 2008 setup problem and think it is worth the time...

Author: Date: 05/28/2009

How to Quickly Review your SQL Server Cluster Configuration on Windows Server 2003

Working at Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS), we are frequently asked by our customers to...

Author: Date: 01/21/2009

Import Export Wizard is not Copy Database Wizard

During a recent work with one of our customers I did notice that it is not always clear what tools...

Author: Date: 01/19/2009

"Unable to create computer account on DC" error installing SQL Server 2005 cluster on Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 introduces significant changes to the Windows Cluster Service. The new Windows...

Author: Date: 10/01/2008

Using Windows Cluster log to troubleshoot SQL Server cluster errors

There are times where all the SQL Server knowledge in the world won't help us to find a solution to...

Author: Date: 07/27/2008

Enabling Certificate for SSL on a SQL Server 2005 Clustered Installation

This week I has been working on a case about the installation of a certificate on a SQL Server...

Author: Date: 02/19/2008

SSIS error DTS_E_CANNOTACQUIRECONNECTIONFROMCONNECTIONMANAGER when connecting to Oracle data source

This time I want to discuss a support case that took me some days to get fixed. This case may be of...

Author: Date: 02/12/2008

Conocer el valor de la Edición Enterprise a través de sencillos ejemplos

This is the Spanish version of this other post. Esta vez sólo deseo anunciar que mi...

Author: Date: 01/11/2008

Understanding the value of the Enterprise Edition with simple examples

This time I just wanted to announce that my colleague Ignacio Alonso Portillo (aka "Nacho") and...

Author: Date: 01/01/2008

CA eTrust Antivirus reports infection by JS/Snz.A on sqlcast blog!

Update (1st. January): CA has released a new eTrust definitions update that corrects the error...

Author: Date: 12/31/2007

SQL Server Configuration Manager behavior in Clustered installation

According to Books Online reference "SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool to manage the...

Author: Date: 12/27/2007

Reducing tempdb size in a SQL Server Cluster (after ALTER DATABASE execution)

Some weeks ago a colleague from another company called me for help in fixing a database performance...

Author: Date: 12/16/2007

How to check Fragmentation on SQL Server 2005

I have been asked this question several times: Is there a tool in SQL Server where I can easily...

Author: Date: 12/09/2007