As of today, The SQL Server and .NET Blog is The SQL Server and .NET Hub! Why this change? Because this not just a blog anymore! It’s being transformed into a hub with high-quality online courses, articles, how-to series, webcasts, and much more! All the above have to do with different technical areas of SQL … Read more…
If you are working with .NET applications, at some time you might get the below (or similar) error message: Timeout expired. The timeout period elapsed prior to obtaining a connection from the pool. This may have occurred because all pooled connections were in use and max pool size was reached. Why you get the connection … Read more…
A few days ago, Microsoft released Service Pack 1 (SP1) for SQL Server 2016. This release however, is not at all similar to older releases of SQL Server service packs, in a very pleasant manner. Breakthrough Changes in SQL Server 2016 SP1 In addition to cumulative patches, bug fixes, improvements, etc., SQL Server SP1 … Read more…
SQL Server Express Editions are a handy solution for small businesses with small databases with no special requirements about performance, high availability, encryption, etc. This article discusses about the main limitations of SQL Server Express Editions. What are the Main Limitations of SQL Server Express Editions? The Express Editions of SQL Server, even free, … Read more…
In this article, we will be discussing about orphaned users in SQL Server. What is an Orphaned User in SQL Server? An orphaned user in SQL Server, is a user that exists in a database (Database-Security-Users) but for any reason, does not have a corresponding login in the instance’s security (master database). Why … Read more…
The “Public” Database Role in SQL Server is a special database role that is given by default to all logins. You cannot remove a login’s membership to this role because this behavior is built into SQL Server. What does the “Public” database role does in SQL Server? Should we make use of it or at … Read more…
In 2013, we founded the “SQLArtBits” community initiative. In 2016, SQLArtBits became SQLNetHub. Under the SQLNetHub initiative we develop simple yet powerful data tools for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. The majority of our tools mainly interact with SQL Server, thus providing a richer user experience and enabling the user to get the most out … Read more…
This article, discusses about the necessity of securing your SQL Server instances and databases. Introduction Database Management Systems (DBMSs) store data. They sure have added functionality and a huge set of significant features but again, in the end of the day, they store data. Your data. This makes your DBMSs one of the most valuable … Read more…
Today is big day. Today, DBA Security Advisor is finally released! It has been a long journey. Two years of research, development, testing, QA, and the list goes on! I work with SQL Server for more than 11 years and I have seen hundreds of SQL Server installations and setups. I have seen best practices … Read more…
[Update: SQLArtBits is Now SQLNetHub] You can find the latest version of DBA Security Advisor here. After almost two years of heavy development and extensive testing, in three days, on June 28 2016, I will be releasing my brand new software tool for SQL Server. The name of the tool is ‘DBA Security Advisor‘ and as … Read more…
SQL Server is the world’s most powerful data platform and it is constantly evolving. From release to release significant new features are added. Besides the features and functionality, one of the typical question DBAs have is which are the Operating System requirements for each version and edition of SQL Server. In this post you can … Read more…
In this article, we will be discussing about the following error message: SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack Installation Fails – Element not found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070490). About the Above Exception/Error Message In case you are trying to install a SQL Server 2008 R2 service pack in a clustered SQL Server environment, under … Read more…
A few days ago we had our second user group meeting for 2016 at Cyprus .NET User Group and it was all about data access. I was the speaker at the event and I presented Entity Framework and more specifically the “Code First” development approach. What is Entity Framework? Entity Framework is an Object/Relational … Read more…
Dynamic Data Masking in SQL Server or later, is another data protection feature originally shipped with SQL Server 2016. It limits sensitive data exposure by masking it to non-privileged users. The masking rules are applied in the query results and you designate how much of the sensitive data to reveal and to who. SQL … Read more…
Just got the magic email from Microsoft saying: Dear Artemakis Artemiou, Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2016 Microsoft® MVP Award! This award is given to exceptional technical community leaders who actively share their high quality, real world expertise with others. We appreciate your outstanding contributions in Data Platform technical communities during … Read more…