Amine Haloui

SQL Server 2025 – ZSTD – A new compression algorithm for backups

Introduction SQL Server 2025 introduces a new algorithm for backup compression: ZSTD. As a result, SQL Server 2025 now offers three solutions for backup compression: MS_XPRESS QAT ZSTD In this blog, we will compare MS_XPRESS and ZSTD. Environment To perform(…)

SQL Server 2025 – Standard Developer edition

Introduction The arrival of SQL Server 2025 introduces the Standard Developer edition, allowing companies to deploy across all development, quality and testing environments using an edition equivalent to the Standard Edition without having to pay the associated licensing fees. Here(…)

SQLDay 2025 – Wrocław – Sessions

After a packed workshop day, the SQLDay conference officially kicked off on Tuesday with a series of sessions covering cloud, DevOps, Microsoft Fabric, AI, and more. Here is a short overview of the sessions I attended on the first day(…)

SQLDay 2025 – Wrocław – Workshops

I had the chance to attend SQLDay 2025 in Wrocław, one of the largest Microsoft Data Platform conferences in Central Europe. The event gathers a wide range of professionals, from database administrators to data engineers and Power BI developers. The(…)

An introduction to Azure Database watcher

Azure Database watcher is a managed monitoring service designed to provide insights and diagnostics for Azure databases and Azure Managed Instance. It helps database administrators and developers track performance, detect anomalies and troubleshoot issues efficiently. By collecting telemetry data, logs(…)

Customer case study – SQL Server table partitioning

A client submitted the following issues : Their database hosts multiple tables, including one table of approximately 1 TB, consisting of several billion rows. This table is continuously fed by various data sources. Additionally, it is also used to generate(…)

Future Data Driven 2024 – introduction to vector databases

I had the opportunity to participate in the Future Data Driven 2024 event (https://datadrivencommunity.com/FutureDataDriven2024.html) with my colleague Stéphane Haby. Many speakers were present, and I was able to attend several sessions covering the following topics: Azure, AI, CosmosDB,(…)

Power BI – Scheduled refresh stuck

Introduction When creating reports, there are several modes through which we can import data. In our case, reports had been created using the “import mode.” In this mode, the data is imported or copied into our reports to be included.

SQL Server: Basic AG – One listener, multiple databases

Introduction When it is not possible to have SQL Server Enterprise and there is a need to set up an AlwaysOn cluster, it is possible to use SQL Server Standard and implement basic availability groups. However, the Standard edition of(…)

Build SQL Server audit reports with Powershell

Introduction When you are tasked with conducting an audit at a client’s site or on the environment you manage, you might find it necessary to automate the audit process in order to save time. However, it can be challenging to(…)