Tag: SQL Server Configuration

  • How to Right-Size SQL Server Database Files

    Auto-growth is not the problem. Unplanned, reactive growth is. When database files are undersized, SQL Server is forced to extend them repeatedly under load. Each growth event introduces a pause. If those pauses occur during peak workload, they can cause noticeable latency, increased I/O pressure, and in some cases application timeouts. Right-sizing database files is…

  • SQL Server: ALTER DATABASE SET ENABLE_BROKER Taking a Long Time (Fix)

    After a recent Availability Group failover, Database Mail stopped sending emails. On investigation, the underlying cause was Service Broker not being enabled on the system database required by Database Mail. To confirm the status, I ran: The is_broker_enabled column was returning 0, indicating that Service Broker was disabled for that database. I then attempted to…

  • SQL Server: Ad hoc Update to System Catalogs is Not Supported (Fix)

    While enabling show advanced options using sp_configure, I encountered an unexpected failure when executing RECONFIGURE: The change would not apply, and any further configuration attempts failed in the same way. This issue typically appears on systems where older configuration settings have been modified and never reset. In most cases, the root cause is the legacy…

  • Enabling TCP Connections in SQL Server

    TCP/IP must be enabled in SQL Server for remote connections to work. If it’s disabled, applications can’t connect; even if authentication, ports, and firewall rules are all correct. This post shows two reliable ways to enable TCP connections in SQL Server: Both approaches require a service restart before changes take effect. When You Need to…

  • Script: Get SQL Server Services Information

    This script returns details about the SQL Server and SQL Server Agent services running on an instance. It shows the service name, process ID, startup type, current status, service account, and whether instant file initialisation is enabled. This is a useful check when validating new builds, reviewing service accounts, or troubleshooting startup and permission-related issues.…

  • Script: Get Instance Configuration Snapshot

    This script returns a focused snapshot of instance-level configuration settings that DBAs commonly review when validating a server, inheriting an environment, or troubleshooting unexpected behaviour. It intentionally surfaces settings that have operational, security, or performance impact when misconfigured or left unchecked. The Script Example Output The result set shows the current values for key instance…

  • Script: Check MAXDOP Configuration

    This script shows the current MAXDOP setting and helps you quickly validate whether it’s likely to be sensible for the server you’re connected to. It includes the configured MAXDOP value and core visibility information so you can make an informed call without digging through multiple places. The Script Example Output The first result set shows…

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