SQL Server Tools
Below is a select of tools which either I have used or just ones which I have stumbled across and intend to test out at some point in the future.
Quest SQL LiteSpeed
www.quest.com/litespeed-for-sql-server
As our infrastructure grew, I needed to solve two problems – Backup size and duration. The main problem was our ASP hosted environment. We had grown from 8 databases totalling 22GB to 32 databases totalling 700GB. Our backup drive was fast approaching 1TB and our backups were starting to run into the business day. I had used LiteSpeed previously and downloaded a demo copy straight away. I was confident we’d resolve both problems extremely quickly. We set up some tests on our largest client database and the results were impressive. A 70GB backup was reduced from 1 hours and 27 minutes down to 12 minutes in addition from a 60GB backup file down to 12GB. I then tested on our largest central database of 200GB and the results were excellent. Time dropped from 4 hours down to 38 minutes and size dropped down to 26GB.
SQL Ping
www.sqlsecurity.com/Tools/FreeTools/tabid/65/Default.aspx
Currently on version 3.0, I find this tool invaluble to collecting information regarding SQL Server instances, builds, blank logins and so on across our network. Extremely easy to use and a great report detailing potential security risks.
SQL Locator
www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Servers/Database-Utils/SQL-Locator.shtml
This tool was provided as feedback to the Daily Checks post. I’ve not used it as yet, but I’ll certainly download this tool and post some information about it.