"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed" - Darth Vader, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
A couple of years ago, I was leaving my former employer. I could see the writing on the wall that the Oracle work I was doing was going to be diminishing and SQL Server was the way of the future. I didn't want to work with SQL Server, so I went and found another job with my current employer.
One of the first things they told me was that I was going to be looking after a SQL Server for a new customer. Argh! Note to self: next time ask more questions about responsibilities and duties, I suppose :)
Almost 4 years down the road, I've learned quite a bit about this database - but I still have a lot to learn.
One of the things I still need to learn a lot about is best configuration options for SQL Server and the Windows box that it sits on. One great guide that's collected a lot of the information I'd picked up in bits and pieces around the place is collected neatly in two posts on the site of Brent Ozar PLF.
These fine people have put together two blog posts discussing setup of a new SQL Server. Rather than steal their work, I'll just link directly to their pages. (This post falls squarely in the area of "Posts I make mainly as a personal reference for my own benefit").
Since I'm singing the praises of the information on this site, there's one more thing I just have to list. In addition to having to set up new servers, sometimes you just inherit them. Brent has a one hour blitz script to have a look at the setup of a database server you've just inherited.
It's sitting right here.
I learned a lot from watching that presentation and crunching through the script. Definitely worth the price of admission ...
