Alan Cranfield

Versatile SQL SERVER DBA with over 10 years’ experience managing critical production systems in large distributed enterprise environments. Specialise in SQL Server database administration and configuration on a large scale and the design of robust strategies for the maintenance and management of Very Large Databases primarily within the financial services industry. Have undertaken DBA work in 4 continents in the Banking, Gaming and Insurance sectors as well as 3 years with NYSE in London where I was the Lead SQL Server DBA for NYSE LIFFE™, the global derivatives business of the NYSE Euronext group. Currently living in Shanghai where I was recently asked by Microsoft to assist with the transition of an eCommerce operations team from US to China.

Articles: 9

Encryption

Locking Down PII Data in SQL Server (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1, we looked out how to identify PII data in your databases. In this tip we look at how to lock down PII data using SQL Server security. Protecting your data is very important and the recent publicity over the theft of Sony PSN data underscores

Alan Cranfield
June 24, 2011

Encryption

Identifying PII Data to Lock Down in SQL Server (Part 1 of 2)

We're pretty confident that we have locked down and encrypted our financial data, but a lot of our customer's PII (Personally Identifiable Information) data is still held in unencrypted form. This data is able to be selected directly by read only business

Alan Cranfield
June 23, 2011

Career Planning

Leaving a SQL Server DBA Job Gracefully

You’re leaving your current employer for a new opportunity and want to make the move as smooth as possible. You don’t want to burn your bridges and want to make sure that everything you’ve left behind can be managed by the people you’ve left behind or the

Alan Cranfield
March 11, 2010

Partitioning

SQL Server Database Partitioning Myths and Truths

Partitioning, introduced with SQL Server 2005 is a godsend for working with very large tables. In this tip I will cover some data partitioning myths and truths you should know about.

Alan Cranfield
January 4, 2010

Error Logs

Read the end of a large SQL Server Error Log

Viewing the final portion of the SQL Server error log is important during a critical issue to troubleshoot the problem. In this tip we will show SQL Server DBAs how to use the tail command in a cmd window to review the final portion of the error log. Th

Alan Cranfield
October 26, 2009

Database Mirroring

Monitoring SQL Server Database Mirroring with Email Alerts

The number of Database Mirror pairs in our enterprise is increasing at an alarming rate. With the ease of setup, resilience and ability to seamlessly failover and failback, database mirroring has taken over from log shipping as the DR solution of choice.

Alan Cranfield
October 15, 2009

Profiler and Trace

Auto Generate an Hourly SQL Server Profiler Trace File

While investigating performance issues as a DBA I am often asked to profile a SQL system and provide the trace files to the requestor ASAP. The requestor could be a developer, tester or 3rd party vendor or the information could be useful to the DBA. I nee

Alan Cranfield
September 21, 2009

Database Administration

Ways to Reclaim Disk Space from SQL Server Files

It happens to all DBAs - your C drive has filled up and your database is about to crash or has stopped processing. Perhaps your SQL error log is spamming and has filled up the entire C drive before you have had the chance to address the underlying issue.