12 things to know about MSDB

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MSDB is one the System Databases in SQL Server. You might be aware that System Databases are important for the normal functioning of SQL Server. Here is a list of 12 areas in which  MSDB is used in a SQL Server deployment. 

  • SQL Server Agent
  • Backup and Restores
  • Maintenance Plans
  • Performance Data Collector
  • Log Shipping
  • Utility Center Point
  • Database Mail 
  • Database Mirroring
  • Replication
  • Policy Based Management
  • SQL Browser
  • DTS and SSIS Package Store

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–Bru Medishetty

Best Practices for applying SQL Server Service Packs

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This blog will make a list of best practices to follow while applying Service Packs or Cumulative Updates on your SQL Server Instance(s).

  1. Before applying Service Packs, read the list of bugs that have been addressed in the Service Pack (usually documentation is provided on the download page itself).
  2. Always apply Service Packs and Updates on Test / Development Instances. Once the Instance with the new Service Pack is up and running without any issues for a week or two, plan the same steps on your Production.
  3. List out all SQL Server Instance(s) on the box (if you have multiple instances) and make sure you are going to apply Service pack for the required instance(s) only.
  4. Broadcast an email to all the users who would be affected by Database Instance, about the system downtime. 
  5. Make a plan for a quick rollback, in case of unforeseen issues.
  6. Send out an email that the maintenance is beginning.
  7. Ensure that no SQL Agent jobs are running, it might be a good plan to disable the SQL Agent in order to avid any jobs starting / running while applying the Service Pack.
  8. Take the full backup for all databases, both User databases and System databases.
  9. Apply the Service Pack, only to that instance that you have planned to (in case of multiple instances on same machine)
  10. Restart the SQL Instance.
  11. Check for all entries in SQL Server Error Log about the Service Pack update and ensure there are no errors written.
  12. Check for the Service Pack level of the SQL Instance.
  13. Send an email that the Service Pack was applied and SQL Server is running smoothly.

Now is the time you monitor your applications and any custom scripts that you wrote, are working properly. As mentioned earlier, after a week or two follow the steps from points # 3 on your target Prod Instance…..

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— Bru Medishetty

Happy New Year and looking forward to 2012

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I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012. I hope everyone had a great New Year celebrations. As with every new year, let us hope this year shall bring more happiness and prosperity to all.

I am going to list some of my goals to achieve in the year 2012 both professional and personal.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I start writing my goals is my blog post that I wrote on Jan 1st 2012 (about goals in 2010). If I look at those goals mentioned in that blog, I have to say, I did not achieve many of those goals, so this question comes to mind, Is it good to list my goals and fall short once again? I am sure it is easy to aim low and achieve it but if you aim low, you will not look higher. So I decided I shall aim for a bit higher, get motivated and achieve as much as I can.. 

Here is the list (first professional and finally personal)

  1. Write more content on my blog (at least 150 blog posts).
  2. Continue writing SQL Server Tidbits throughout the year.
  3. Finish at least 6 chapters in Learn SQL Server for Beginners Sections.
  4. Improve the content in Interview Questions and Answers Section.
  5. Participate in SQL Server Forums (at least 365 forum posts).
  6. Put every effort to make this happen, Pass Chapter in/around Harrisburg, PA.
  7. Attend PASS Summit in Seattle in November 2012.
  8. Record SQL Server Videos and publish them.
  9. Take at least 1 certification exam.
  10. Tweet more often.
  11. Do more charity.
  12. Be an improved Tennis Player.

At the end of the year 2012, I shall review how many of these goals were achieved and how well I fared on a scale of 10 for each of these goals. 

— Bru Medishetty