That went quick and without much fuss.
Mainstream support has now ended for SQL Server 2012.
In an unusual turn of events Microsoft has advised that the final SP4 is expected to be released in September.
Currently, any new installs of SQL Server should be 2016 to which allows non-Enterprise editions to take advantage of some Enterprise features which were introduced in SP1. Software Assurance is also a growing ‘must have’ to allow for DR, use of ever increasing new SQL releases etc.
SQL Server 2017 is due for release, but unless you want the pain of bugs for several months, it will likely not be worth considering until later next year when it should be more stable.
SQL Server 2017 Reporting Services (RC) now available
The download can be found here.
SQL Server 2017 RC1 now available
Details on this release can be found here.
Free Microsoft eBook giveaway
Microsoft is giving away a variety of eBooks here.
It’s definitely worth a look as the books include SQL Server, Azure, Power BI, PowerShell, Windows Server …
June 2017 SQL newsletter
Fany Carolina Vargas sure does a great roundup newsletter and Junes can be found here.
Things to do today
Wake upWin America’s CupTake the day off
#JobDoneTeamNZRocks
SQL Server Diagnostics intro
The newly released SQL Server Diagnostics (Preview) can be found here.
Below are the install screenshots
Once installed it is accessible via SSMS
Dumps are usually located in your …MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log folder.
Here I also selected to send an email just to see what it’ll look like.
The email received was
The other Diagnostics options were
Looks a bit of a cover all at the moment
Takes you to the below site (which no longer exists)
Default Trace Deprecated
It’ll be sad to see the default trace go. It’s help me out numerous times during onsite consults when monitoring has not been in place. It really is one of the good features introduced in SQL Server 2005.
The deprecated features list is a bit of an unknown as there is no fixed version/date set by Microsoft, so when it’ll finally goes is anyone’s guess. Hopefully by that stage extended events will be more palatable.
#GoTeamNZ
We’re a bit sports crazy here at AKAWN. There is nothing quite like the roller coaster of emotions that it delivers.
#BringTheCupHomeBoys
SSMS Include Client Statistics
Troubleshooting performance issues can be challenging and more so when 1 user has issues and another doesn’t for the same application and they both sit in the same room.
This is where SSMS Include Client Statistics may come in handy.
Enable the option and run the query causing issues on both users machines.
Possibly you the results will help point you in the correct direction i.e. network path issues etc..
Remember to unselect the option when finished as it adds extra overhead when used.