Understanding SQL Server Backup and Restore

Everyone knows that it's critical to have backups but it's amazing how few people make sure those backups can be restored properly! Too many times to count, Tim has been brought in by organizations to help recover failed systems where administrators simply didn’t know how to properly restore SQL Server backups when they have to. In this session, Tim will explain the various types of backups that can be taken and demonstrate how to restore each of them. Apart from covering the common full, differential and log backups, Tim will also cover partial, filegroup, and COPY_ONLY backups, backing up to and restoring from a URL, backup encryption, and how to perform a hack attach for the ultimate tail log restore. There's something here for everyone to learn!

Common SQL Server Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Making mistakes is natural, but learning from them and avoiding them in future takes effort. There's no substitute for experience or the shared wisdom of others to help you learn what mistakes to avoid. In this session, Tim will share with you a ton of what he's learned over the years from working and consulting at multiple Fortune-level companies. You'll hear about real-world environments he has worked on where there was a high impact from administrators making mistakes in how SQL Server was configured and administered. You'll learn many proven and accepted best practices for installing, configuring and supporting SQL Server to help your environment run as smoothly as possible and you'll leave with a checklist of items to take home to make sure your SQL Server environment is configured properly.

Azure Data Security

When moving your data assets to the Microsoft Azure platform, you have numerous tools available to you to help secure and protect your data. Many of these tools are also available with SQL Server 2016 and onwards. This session will discuss how you can leverage Transparent Data Encryption, Always Encrypted, Row Level Security, and Dynamic Data Masking which are built into the database engine. In addition to native SQL features, there are additional built-in tools that you can leverage for Azure SQL Database ad Managed Instance. These include Advanced Threat Protection, Vulnerability Assessment, and Data Classification and Discovery. This session will explore the various tools and offerings so that you will have the knowledge to secure your data assets.

Selecting the Right Size Azure VM

When considering a migration of your SQL Server workloads to the cloud. It is critical to consider the performance characteristics of your existing workloads and understand any current pain points that you may have. This is important regardless of if it’s a migration to Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, or Azure SQL Virtual Machines.
In this session, Tim Radney will cover various performance metrics to collect and show how to use those metrics to determine what size Azure Virtual Machine that you’ll need to support that workload. In addition to the size of the virtual machine, we’ll dive into storage and discuss the various disk configuration options that are available.
At the end of this session, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of Azure Virtual Machine sizing, Azure disk configurations, and ultimately how to monitor disk throughput.

Understanding Azure SQL

Get a deeper understanding of the differences between Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure SQL Virtual Machines for solving your SQL Server workload needs in the cloud. This session will cover key differences between each platform and help you determine which solution would work best for your SQL Server workload.

So, You Want to Be a SQL Server DBA

If you are new to technology and curious about SQL Server and database administration, maybe you are interested in becoming a DBA and you are already in another IT role, or you may be an experienced DBA and are looking for a fresh perspective - if any of these scenarios sounds like where you are at - Join us for a fun and engaging session!

Join us to master the art and science of being a SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA). This session is designed for aspiring DBAs and IT professionals, where we will unveil the most critical responsibilities and skills needed to excel in managing SQL Server databases in this hybrid world.

From ensuring data availability through robust backup and recovery strategies to the basics of optimizing performance with indexing and query tuning, you'll learn the key areas that demand your attention.

Discover how to secure databases against threats, automate repetitive tasks for efficiency, and leverage tools like SQL Server Agent and PowerShell. Beyond technical expertise, explore essential soft skills -communication, and continuous learning - that set great DBAs apart.

This session is packed with practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips, this talk will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to thrive as a SQL Server DBA.

Join us to uncover what it takes to safeguard and optimize one of an organization’s most valuable assets: its data.

So, You Want to Be a Database Manager

Are you a DBA or IT professional considering taking the leap into a management role? Or, maybe you’re just curious about what it takes to lead a database team?
Whether you’re ready to get into a management position or you are simply exploring your options, join us for an engaging and insightful session where we will have a real world and honest discussion of the world of database management in terms of being responsible for an IT technical environment as well as the people resources that are looking to you to shape their IT future.

In this session, we’ll dive into the responsibilities of the role, bridging the gap between technical expertise and leadership.

You’ll discover how to:
-Align database strategies with business goals.
-Mentor your team to achieve excellence.
-Optimize resources for performance and scalability.
-Communicate effectively to meet organizational needs.
-Manage budgets, projects, and vendors confidently.

Beyond the technical, we’ll explore the essential skills that define a successful database manager: strategic thinking, decision-making, conflict resolution, and fostering a culture of innovation.

Through real-world examples and practical insights, you’ll learn how to transition from hands-on technical work to a role that blends leadership and vision.
We’ll tackle common concerns and misconceptions about moving into management, empowering you with the clarity and confidence to pursue this rewarding career path.

Packed with actionable strategies and real-world perspectives, this session will equip you to make an impact as a database manager and drive your organization’s data initiatives to new heights.

Database management isn’t for everyone - it’s about more than tech; it’s leading people and meeting objectives.
Think of it like a cook versus a chef, or a musician versus a conductor: it’s about vision, not just execution.

It is important to understand your own personal reasons for going into leadership and what it means to lead a team.

Join us to unlock the secrets of leading database teams and transforming data into a strategic asset.

Are you a DBA or IT professional considering taking the leap into a management role? Or, maybe you’re just curious about what it takes to lead a database team?
Whether you’re ready to get into a management position or you are simply exploring your options, join us for an engaging and insightful session where we will have a real world and honest discussion of the world of database management in terms of being responsible for an IT technical environment as well as the people resources that are looking to you to shape their IT future.

In this session, we’ll dive into the responsibilities of the role, bridging the gap between technical expertise and leadership.

You’ll discover how to:
-Align database strategies with business goals.
-Mentor your team to achieve excellence.
-Optimize resources for performance and scalability.
-Communicate effectively to meet organizational needs.
-Manage budgets, projects, and vendors confidently.