Author: stevestedman

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How Stedman Solutions Provides Premier SQL Server Consulting Services. At Stedman Solutions, we pride ourselves on being experts in SQL Server Consulting, helping businesses unlock the full potential of their database environments. With over three decades of experience in SQL Server, Our Team offers tailored solutions for performance, scalability, and security. We understand that each client’s needs are unique, and our SQL Server consulting services are designed to provide targeted strategies for optimal database management. Comprehensive SQL Server Consulting Services …

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Understanding and Resolving SQL Server Collation Conflicts Collation conflicts in SQL Server can be one of the more frustrating errors to encounter, especially if you’re not familiar with how SQL Server handles string data. If you’ve run into the error message: Cannot resolve the collation conflict between [collation1] and [collation2] in the equal to operation. You’re likely dealing with mismatched collation settings between database objects. This blog post will break down what this error means, why it happens, and how …

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Best Practices for Shrinking SQL Server Files Shrinking files in SQL Server is a task that should be approached with caution. While it may seem like a quick fix to reclaim disk space, shrinking can introduce fragmentation and negatively impact performance if not handled properly. Here’s a simple guide to the best practices for shrinking SQL Server files and when it’s appropriate to do so. 1. Avoid Frequent Shrinking Shrinking is not a maintenance task you should do regularly. It …

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If you find your self asking what a VLF in SQL Server is, then this is the article for you. In SQL Server, a Virtual Log File (VLF) is a smaller segment within the transaction log file that allows SQL Server to manage its log space more efficiently. Understanding VLFs and their impact on database performance is essential for database administrators, as an excessive number of VLFs can lead to degraded performance during database recovery, backups, or general operations. With …

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Why My SQL Server Is Slow If you’re wondering, “Why my SQL Server is slow?”, you’re not alone. SQL Server performance issues can disrupt critical business operations, delay projects, and frustrate users. A slow SQL Server often points to underlying issues that can be diagnosed and resolved with the right approach. In this blog post, we’ll dive into common reasons why your SQL Server is slow, provide an in-depth look at each cause, and share practical steps to identify and …

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Query to Check Compatibility Level in SQL Server Upgrading SQL Server to a newer version, such as SQL Server 2019 or 2022, requires verifying and updating the compatibility levels of your databases. Compatibility levels control database behaviors and enable certain SQL Server features, making them a crucial part of your upgrade process. In this guide, we’ll explore how to check compatibility levels, update them, and automate the process for multiple databases. We’ll also cover the compatibility level for SQL Server …

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If you’ve ever encountered the “SQL Server Recovering” message for a database, you may have wondered what it means and whether it signals a problem. This message is part of SQL Server’s built-in safety mechanisms to ensure data integrity. While it’s not always a cause for alarm, understanding why it happens and how to handle it can save you significant time and effort. In this blog, we’ll delve into what “SQL Server Recovering” means, why it occurs, and the best …

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Understanding and Resolving SQL Server Error 18456: Login Failed for User SQL Server Error 18456 is a common login error that can cause headaches for database administrators and developers alike. The error message typically appears as: “Login failed for user ‘<user_name>’. Reason: <reason>. Error: 18456.” This error occurs when a user attempts to connect to SQL Server and the authentication process fails. In this post, we’ll explore the common causes of this error, how to troubleshoot it, and best practices …

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How and When to Shrink SQL Server Log Files: Best Practices Explained Managing SQL Server log files is a common challenge for database administrators and developers. While shrinking transaction log files might seem like a quick fix for reclaiming disk space, there are key factors to consider before hitting that shrink button. What’s Covered in This Article: The Purpose of SQL Server Log Files Transaction log files are essential for maintaining data integrity and supporting recovery operations. They track every …

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Celebrate Small Business Saturday with 50% Off Our SQL Server Replication Course! Small Business Saturday is here, and to celebrate, we’re offering 50% off our SQL Server Replication course—but only for one day! Whether you’re managing databases in a small business or a larger enterprise, SQL Server replication is a crucial skill that can help ensure data availability, improve performance, and enhance disaster recovery. What Is SQL Server Replication? SQL Server Replication is a powerful method for distributing data across …

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