Voice of the DBA

Category: Blog

  • Be Careful in Business

    I like most of the SQL Server people I meet. Most of you are polite, cheerful, friendly, and it’s nice to share a few minutes of my life with you, chatting about anything. Whether that’s technical issues with SQL Server, running, books, or anything else, I often find my life richer for the time spent with others.

    However I wouldn’t go into business with most of you. In fact, the number of people I’d make a business partner can probably be counted on one hand.

    I wish it weren’t so, but I would choose my business partners very carefully, as carefully as choosing a mate. Getting into business is really like growing your family and all of your shareholders and partners are closely tied into your life. Since it’s not easy to get out of those types of relationships, you shouldn’t go into them too quickly.

    I was reminded of this when I read How to Screw a Friend out of an $800 million idea. Like The Accidental Billionaires/The Social Network, it’s a look at friendships and business, and how success caused problems. I don’t know if there is liability here, or a moral failing, but it does remind me that I should be careful in business.

    Just so you know, there are lots of you I’d work with. Easily thousands.

    That’s way less than the number of people I’d work for, which is likely a couple dozen. There are some good business people I’ve met who I think would be a good boss and who I would approach if I needed a job.

    Partners? I could name three off the top of my head and maybe three more I’d consider and want to get to know better.

  • I have a dream

    It seems fitting with the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech that I would write about discrimination this week in my piece “Stunned”. There’s a long discussion over at SQLServerCentral, and along with a phone call with a friend, I thought a bit about what I wrote.

    I wasn’t present for the quote. I don’t know if there was nuance, or intent to joke, intent to annoy the listener, or something else. The written word doesn’t convey everything, and I decided not to dig deeper, identify the speaker, or take any actions as it’s all hearsay to me.

    However, I do think something along the lines of what you read, was said. I think there are still people that think this way, just as there are people that think various minorities are not competent, trustworthy, or something else.

    I have a dream that we will get beyond this as anything other than a rare occurrence. I don’t believe we will ever eliminate racism, or sexism, or really any type of discrimination. But perhaps we can reduce it to a very, very tiny level, get more people to think about there inherent prejudices and work to overcome them.

    I’m prejudiced in some ways. I recognize that and try to not let it affect my actions. I try to treat people fairly, and professionally. I try to treat them as I’d expect they will treat me. I want to accept them as they are, work with them with their strengths and weaknesses, and try to ensure I make an effort to increase diversity in my life.

    My intent today was to raise awareness. I wanted people to think about the actions, to talk about issues, and recognize that there are still problems in the world, including our tiny SQL Server, data professional world, that we should deal with.

    My hope is that we work to ensure this type of attitude is not tolerated. I hope for a frank discussion at user groups that note discrimination is not a part of the group. I hope that both minority groups (females, races, etc) and event/group leaders make efforts to include more disparate people. I hope more women and others make an effort to join in the community and share their knowledge. I hope more leaders choose to include more diverse speakers. If you have two people that are qualified, make the choice for diversity some of the time, rather than perhaps the more well known or safe choice.

    I hope we grow closer, not further apart, as a community.

  • Backup Your Certificate for TDE

    If you’ve enabled TDE, you need to be sure you have a copy of the certificate that protects the Database Encryption Key (DEK). If you follow my instructions, then you have one.

    If you didn’t make a backup, or you have just discovered a TDE database, make one now, and secure the password you use with your DR materials (off site).

    How do you make a backup? That’s easy. Use the BACKUP CERTIFICATE command. Here’s the command I use in demos:

    USE master
;
go
BACKUP CERTIFICATE TDEPRimer_CertSecurity
 TO FILE = 'tdeprimer_cert'
  WITH PRIVATE KEY (
               FILE = 'tdeprimer_cert.pvk',
               ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'AStr0ngB@ckUpP@ssw0rd4TDEcERT%')
;
go

    

    

    

     
    

    The certificate for TDE is in master, so you must make sure you’re in master for the backup. The TO FILE option lets you choose the file path. By default, this will be in the DATA folder for your instance, but you can choose other locations. You can give an extension if you like. This file is the certificate (public).
    

    There is a private key portion of the certificate, which is backed up with the “WITH PRIVATE KEY” portion of the command. This is where you specify the password and provide the protection for your certificate.
    

    You will need this password on restore, so keep track of it.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
			
    Decisions, Decisions. Fall Events
    
			
    I was looking over my travel calendar this fall, and I’m somewhat amazed at the variety of events that are being held for SQL Server professionals. There are a number of SQL Saturdays, and if you can attend those, I’d highly urge you to do so. Most are free, or perhaps cost you a lunch fee, but they are great chances to see SQL Server presentations, network with colleagues, and get inspired with new ways to work with SQL Server. They take a day out of your life (they’re usually on Saturday) and there’s no break from work, but they price is right.
    

    However if you want something a little more exotic, or with a few more frills, you’ve got some great choices out there. I’m listing a few that I’m attending, and I hope to see some of you at one of these events.
    

    

    SQL in the City
    

    I list this one first because these events are sponsored by Red Gate Software, my employer, and they’re a lot of fun. They are also the right price: free.
    

    Like some of the paid conferences, Red Gate does a great job with amenities and food. The locations are nice, and even though it’s a one day event, it’s a lot to absorb in one day. This fall we have 3 large events, and 2 (possibly 4) smaller, seminar events taking place in the US. We’d love to have you attend SQL in the City if you can. The locations we’ve picked this year are:
    

      

    • San Diego – A seminar event, with the DBA Team, on Friday Sept 20, 2013.
      • 

    • Denver – A seminar event on development, on Friday, Sept 27, 2013.
      • 

    • Pasadena – A large event, on Wednesday, Oct 9, 2013.
      • 

    • Atlanta – A large event, on Friday, Oct 11, 2013.
      • 

    • Charlotte – A large event, on Monday, Oct 14, 2013.
      • 

    

    We’ll talk about some real world issues you face, and give you possible solutions. We do show Red Gate tools, but that’s because they’re the quickest way to show you a solution to a problem.
    

    Register today if there’s a SQL in the City event you can come to.
    

    DevConnections
    

    devconnectionsI have spoken at and enjoyed the DevConnections events for a few years. This fall the event returns to the MGM in Las Vegas from Sept 30 – Oct 4, 2013. There’s a great lineup of SQL Server speakers, of which I am one. There’s a lot to do, a lot to learn, and a lot of fun to be had in Las Vegas. With the schedule, this is a perfect event to attend and add in a weekend vacation with family.
    

    One of the great things about this event is that there are 5 conferences taking place together, and with your registration, you can attend any session in any one of them. This is a great event for those of you that don’t just work with SQL Server.
    

    If you’ve never been, consider coming to DevConnections this fall.
    

    SQL Intersection
    

    sql-int-centerSQL Intersection is a new event, managed by SQLskills. I spoke at the event this part spring, and I enjoyed it. Like DevConnections, the event takes place in Las Vegas, located in the MGM Grand from Oct 27-30. The speakers are selected and invited, and there are some very popular and talented speakers in this group. I’m honored to be a part of the event. I think you’ll get a ton of SQL Server knowledge here that you can apply back at work.
    

    There are 5 events taking place at the same time, so if you are interested in learning more about development, cloud computing , Sharepoint, or Azure, this might be a good choice for you. It’s also a fantastic time to take an extra day or two in Las Vegas. Halloween is truly a spectacle in that city.
    

    Take this letter to your boss, then register, and I hope to shake your hand when you come. If you use “Jones” as a registration code, you’ll get $100 off, and I get some credit Winking smile
    

    The PASS Summit
    

    passsummit2013This year the PASS Summit returns to the East Coast, to Charlotte, NC from October 14-18, 2013. The first day of pre-cons overlap with our SQL in the City event. This is the most popular, and largest, SQL Server only event in the world. There is a ton of networking that takes place, and it’s a great time to get to know other people in the community.
    

    There are a ton of sessions, too many in fact. Buy the DVD of the sessions since you’ll miss more than you attend. You can register today, and if you’re there early, look for me on Tuesday. I won’t be speaking at the Summit this year, but there are lots of other great speakers that you’ll enjoy.
    

    The Conference Argument
    

    I’ve got a busy fall. In addition to the events above, I have a few SQL Saturdays to attend and skiing to get in. I won’t be at SQL Live 360, but that’s another event you might consider attending. I’d love to speak there, but I need a break. Perhaps in 2014.
    

    I love attending these events, and I’d recommend them over a specific training class. Here’s why.
    

    If you aren’t self-motivated, you’ll waste a lot of time and not get much out of a conference. It’s easy to go to some sessions, or sit by the pool all day. However I’d argue that most of the people who aren’t looking to drive their career won’t get a lot our of week long class either.
    

    If you are motivated, you can learn the JIT skills from a book, by yourself, or with a relatively inexpensive class like the ones Pluralsight offers. However, at a conference, you’re the person that will network with others, talk about your problems, and get some inspiration or potential solutions from those conversations. You’ll also get new ideas and inspirations from many of the sessions. You’ll recharge better than you do from a class, and most people seem to come back to work more excited about SQL Server than when they left.
    

    If you’re a person that wants to move forward and are motivated enough to do so, consider attending one of these events this fall.