SQL Server Migration Workaround for Version Compatibility Issues

Heads Up! SQL 2025 has an issue if you have a lot of databases on a single instance. I first saw the report on Reddit -- talking about creating 3,000 databases on Express Edition -- and it's been corroborated on Standard and Enterprise Edition. More than ~ 500 databases can cause extreme performance issues. Bob Ward confirmed in the thread that they are investigating. For now, if you've got a SQL environment with a lot of databases, hold off on SQL 2025 upgrades. https://lnkd.in/gJqpuxdi

Update: There's a workaround for this issue which requires a startup trace flag. I am glad Microsoft seems to be transparent in explaining what the issue is for this, but I'm kind of amazed at the reason for the problem: SQL 2025 assumes by default -- using unchangeable config options -- that you're in an Availability Group with a readable secondary replica, and you need a worker thread to handle persisted statistics.

Reasons why SELECT * is bad for SQL performance: https://lnkd.in/gTMATJ9 An old blog (with Oracle-specific examples) with a whole range of reasons why. It's not only about network traffic and SQL plan execution, but client side processing and memory usage as well.

Old but gold article: Every time I have checked database performance from AWR report, I have seen 'select *' with 'order by' statement causes bad for SQL performance. The application owner should avoid this.

March 2026 Patch Tuesday, @ SQL Server admins, give this a look! 2 Zero Day's Patched, one impacting SQL server escalation: https://lnkd.in/gy9FrfFY Full Patch Tuesday Breakdown: https://lnkd.in/g65VFPZ9

💡 Day 4 of 365 – Understanding SQL Server System Databases Every SQL Server instance comes with system databases, which are crucial for the server’s operation. As a DBA, you must know their purpose: 🔹 master – Stores instance-level metadata like logins, system configuration, and database information. 🔹 model – Template for creating new user databases. Any changes here affect new databases. 🔹 msdb – Used by SQL Server Agent for jobs, alerts, and backup/restore history. 🔹 tempdb – Temporary storage for queries, sorting, and intermediate results. Resets on server restart. 🔹 resource – Read-only database containing system objects for SQL Server (hidden from daily use). 💡 Tip: Never modify system databases directly unless you know the impact—it can break your SQL Server instance. What’s your favorite DMV or script for monitoring system databases? #SQLServer #SQLDBA #DatabaseAdministrator #AzureSQL #DBATips #DataEngineering

💡 Day 4 of 365 – Understanding SQL Server System Databases Every SQL Server instance comes with system databases, which are crucial for the server’s operation. As a DBA, you must know their purpose: 🔹 master – Stores instance-level metadata like logins, system configuration, and database information. 🔹 model – Template for creating new user databases. Any changes here affect new databases. 🔹 msdb – Used by SQL Server Agent for jobs, alerts, and backup/restore history. 🔹 tempdb – Temporary storage for queries, sorting, and intermediate results. Resets on server restart. 🔹 resource – Read-only database containing system objects for SQL Server (hidden from daily use). 💡 Tip: Never modify system databases directly unless you know the impact—it can break your SQL Server instance. What’s your favorite DMV or script for monitoring system databases? #SQLServer #SQLDBA #DatabaseAdministrator #AzureSQL #DBATips #DataEngineering

SQL Server problems rarely announce themselves. When performance feels uncertain, teams lose time, confidence, and control. Our SQL Server experts identify what is holding performance back and create a clear, actionable path forward so your database supports the business instead of slowing it down. If you need clarity and control in your SQL Server environment, we can help: https://bit.ly/4tc1Vn1 #MicrosoftSQLServer #SQLServer #SQLServerExperts

I built SQLVault Pro as a free tool for the SQL Server DBA community — because keeping track of dozens (or hundreds) of instances shouldn't require a spreadsheet. SQLVault Pro lets you maintain a clean, searchable inventory of your SQL Server instances. Track which application each instance powers, what environment it belongs to (dev/test/prod), and what Always On / HA configuration it's part of. Search by database name, username, table, or index — and get to the right instance fast without digging through notes or tickets. Export functions are already in — database lists, user lists, and instance lists, ready for auditing. I'm currently working on an import function to make adding new instances fast and bulk-friendly. My goal is to make this the go-to inventory tool for SQL Server DBAs. Free. Always. Try it with a simple Docker pull: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dV7BHiVy Feedback and pull requests are very welcome. #SQLServer #DBA #DatabaseManagement #OpenSource #SQLVaultPro #DatabaseInventory #DevOps

Successful 4-Node Rolling Upgrade – SQL Server 2022 to SQL Server 2025 Pleased to share the successful completion of a rolling upgrade of a 4-node SQL Server cluster from SQL Server 2022 to SQL Server 2025 for a prestigious government-backed enterprise platform. The environment supports mission-critical workloads and required: * Zero unplanned downtime * Strict change governance * Controlled node-by-node upgrade execution * Full validation at each stage * Rollback preparedness The upgrade was executed using a carefully structured rolling approach, ensuring continuous availability throughout the process. Each node was upgraded, validated, and reintegrated without disrupting end-user operations. Projects like this reinforce a key principle: Major version upgrades are not technical tasks — they are architectural exercises in risk control, sequencing, and operational discipline. Grateful for the collaboration with the infrastructure and engineering teams involved. On to the next challenge. — Hemantgiri Goswami SQL Server Citation | https://lnkd.in/dTYA9Ym3 #sqlserver #dba #sqlservercitation