SQL Server Resource Kit Utilities

The Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit includes a variety of utilities that you may find useful. Some of the key ones include:

·         Administrative Stored Procedures: This is a series of stored procedures you can run to help identify non-standard SQL Server settings. For example:

o    To check server configuration settings for potential improvements

o    To check database configuration settings for potential improvements

o    To check for blocking and blocked processes

o    To identify specific table settings, such as the use of pinned tables

What may be the most interesting aspect about these stored procedures is to dive into the Transact-SQL behind the stored procedures to see how they run. The can tell you a lot about what makes SQL Server tick.

·         Analysis Services Thin Web Client: If you use Analysis Services, you may find the code behind this client interesting. You can view cube information directly from IE.

·         BII: This tool is like BCP, but instead of importing or exporting text, BII is designed to import bulk image data directly into image columns. While I don't normally recommend storing images in SQL Server because of performance, this is an interesting tool.

·         Database Generator: Used to create test data for a test database.

·         Database Hammer: This VB-based tool can be used to generate loads against your server for stress testing.

·         Database Management: This includes tools and samples (good learning tool) to use web pages or a customized MMC console to view and manage SQL Server.

·         Digital Dashboard: If you want to learn how to write your own custom administrative tool to monitor SQL Server using Microsoft's Digital Dashboard technology, then you may find this interesting.

·         Simple Log Shipper: A tool that helps you set up log shipping for SQL Server 2000, including both SQL Server 2000 Standard and Enterprise. This freebie is not as robust as the version includes with SQL Server 2000 Enterprise, but at least it is free. Personally, I still prefer to write my own log shipping code.

[2000] Added 1-2-2003