SQL Triage: When the Proverbial Excrement Hits the Rotating Oscillator
CBusDATA - Central Ohio Microsoft Data Platform User Group
Details
SQL Triage: Where to Start When the Proverbial Excrement Hits the Rotating Oscillator
When SQL Server melts down—users are shouting, dashboards are glowing red, your phone won’t stop buzzing, and someone well up the management chain just joined the call—where do you even begin? This session is a practical survival guide for those high-pressure moments when performance tanks, queries grind to a halt, or the system simply refuses to cooperate.
Aimed at junior to mid-level DBAs working with SQL Server in any environment (on-prem, cloud, or hybrid), we’ll step through a clear triage process that helps you cut through the noise and zero in on what matters most. You’ll learn:
· How to assess the situation quickly and separate symptoms from root causes
· Which DMVs, logs, and tools deliver the fastest insights
· How to approach issues focusing on impact, not just errors
· Practical scripts and techniques for common failure scenarios
· When to escalate, when to keep digging, and when to just take a breath
From blocking to memory pressure to those mysterious disconnects, you’ll walk away with a repeatable framework you can rely on when the pressure is on. Bring your curiosity (and maybe some caffeine)—this session will prepare you for the messy, challenging, and oddly rewarding world of SQL Server triage.
Bio
Peter is a seasoned IT professional with over 30 years of experience. He is a frequent speaker at SQL Saturday, User Groups, PASS Data Community Summit, and other conferences. He took the DBA plunge in 2013 quickly embracing the Microsoft Data Platform and associated community. Peter is comfortable working with physical, virtual, and Azure implementations of SQL Server focusing on improving performance and reliability. He is also adept at bridging the gap between technical and business language to bring technology solutions to business needs.
Additionally, Peter is the president of CBusData in Columbus, Ohio and co-organizer of Data Saturday Columbus.
