Andrew Kelly

sp_spaceused Alternative

2013-05-17T20:35:00Z

I don’t know why but for some reason I have never liked using sp_spaceused. It probably started a long time ago when the results were often inaccurate due to the meta data being out of date. I am pretty sure that was fixed somewhere along the line but the system stored procedure had some other limitations that usually prevented me from seeing the data that I really wanted in most cases. So at some point I created my own stored procedure to view the data I was most interested in almost on a daily...(read more)

Speaking at University of Virginia

2012-11-05T17:37:00Z

The University of Virginia is having a fall conference that is free and open to the public on Tuesday November 13th. My good friend Andy Leonard and I will be speaking on various SQL Server related topics so if you are in the area and available that day you are most welcome to stop by. You can find more information and register for the conference here . Andrew J. Kelly...(read more)

Backup File Naming Convention

2012-10-05T19:41:00Z

I have been asked this many times before and again just recently so I figured why not blog about it. None of this information outlined here is rocket science or even new but it is an area that I don’t think people put enough thought into before implementing. Sure everyone choses some format but it often doesn’t go far enough in my opinion to get the most bang for the buck. This is the format I prefer to use: ServerName_InstanceName_BackupType_DBName_DateTimeStamp_nn.xxx ServerName_InstanceName =...(read more)

Speaking at SQL Saturday #146

2012-09-25T14:49:06Z

For any of you up in the New England area that are looking for some good and free SQL Server training you may want to check out the SQL Saturday this fall in southern NH. More specifically the event will be held in Nashua NH on October 20th 2012. There is a wonderful cast of speakers including myself (shameless plug ) with a wide range of topics of which I am sure everyone can find a few topics they are interested in. I hope to see some familiar faces from my old stomping ground and...(read more)

Speaking in Raleigh NC 9-20-2011

2011-09-15T13:54:05Z

If you are in the area I will be speaking at the Triangle SQL Server Users Group meeting on Tuesday the 20th of September 2011. The session is on TempDB Best Practices and all of the details for the topic, directions etc. can be found here . Be sure to register so they have enough food. Thanks and hope to see you all there, Andy...(read more)

Speaking at the Charlotte Users Group

2011-08-27T00:33:55Z

I will be giving a presentation in between Earthquakes and Hurricanes in Charlotte NC. this Wednesday the 31st of August on Understanding Indexes in SQL Server 2008 . If you are in the area please drop by and say hello. You can find out more information and register for the event here . Andy...(read more)

Finding IP Addresses With CMS

2011-07-25T20:14:29Z

I was just tasked with putting together a list of all the IP Addresses of the SQL Servers that one of my clients deals with on a daily basis. In this case there was over 30 of them and while I could ping each one individually I found an easier way that you might find useful as well if you are in the same circumstance. I figured there must be a column in one of the DMV’s that shows the IP Address and sure enough the first DMV I looked at had just what I was after. The local_net_address column...(read more)

Speaking in Richmond VA

2011-07-14T12:59:37Z

I meant to blog about this many days ago but such is life right . In a few hours I will jump into my truck (wish it was the Harley) and drive up to Richmond Va. to see my good friend Andy Leonard and the other folks at the Richmond SQL Server Users Group . I will be speaking on the topic of Understanding Indexes In SQL Server 2008 and hope to see a bunch of you there. Directions and more details are listed on the web site. Andy SolidQ Home: http://www.solidq.com/gl-en ...(read more)

The latest edition of the SolidQ Journal is now available

2011-07-11T23:57:44Z

The SolidQ Journal is published monthly by SolidQ and packed with lots of good information related to SQL Server and related topics. If you haven’t already signed up to get these each month then have a look here . It’s a free resource that only cost’s you the time to read it . Andy...(read more)

Speaking in Columbia SC

2011-06-13T17:34:22Z

I just wanted to let anyone in the area that I will be presenting a session at the Midlands PASS Chapter in Columbia SC. on Tuesday night the 14th of June 2011. The title is “Understanding Indexes in SQL Server 2008” and you can find more details here . Hope to see you all there. Make sure you RSVP so there is enough food . Andy...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 R2 Analysis Services Operations Guide

2011-06-01T22:03:00Z

Some members of the SQL CAT Team just released an Operations Guide for SQL 2008 R2 Analysis Services that can be found here . While I am not a SSAS person by any means this looks pretty cool and worth while for anyone who does work with it so have a look. Andrew J. Kelly...(read more)

New Book on the Query Optimizer

2011-04-09T22:30:04Z

A friend of mine Benjamin Nevarez has written a book on the inner workings of the Query Optimizer and it was just released. I read a preview and was definitely impressed so I expect the full version to be just as good. More details can be found here and it is available at Amazon here as well. I hope you enjoy it. Andy...(read more)

Practical Performance Monitoring and Tuning

2011-04-09T20:54:33Z

My next performance class will be in San Francisco, CA on May 9th thru the 11th. I haven’t been to San Francisco in about 10 years and I am looking forward to getting back there. The material is a bit refined over the first class and I added a few more real world examples so it should be a fun and educational 3 days. If you want to spend a few days with me in San Fran have a look here for more details: Practical Performance Monitoring and Tuning ...(read more)

System Center Advisor Collection Details

2011-04-07T03:39:26Z

The System Center Advisor team (formally Project Atlanta) now lists some pre-release documentation on exactly what information they collect and how you can view it before it gets uploaded. So if you are wondering what they collect you can have a look at the downloadable spreadsheet and see for yourself. Obviously this may change as it is pre-release stage and I expect more items to be collected as time goes on but this is a great start. Have a look http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/advisor/gg608184.aspx...(read more)

Speaking at SQL Saturday #71

2011-03-30T22:54:48Z

I am getting prepped to head up to Boston on Friday the 1st for the SQL Saturday #71 . I am really looking forward to seeing the New England folks as it has been a few years since I left. I just hope this crazy Noreaster storm doesn’t mess up my flights. The north east is supposed to get between 6 to 12” of snow with high winds. Not a good combination for flying . I hope to see you all there. Andy...(read more)