Category Archives: SQL Server 2008 R2

Different ways to monitor Log Shipping for SQL Server databases

Problem
Log shipping has been an option for creating a fail over server for SQL Server for quite some time. In this tip, we look at different ways that you can monitor the status of your log shipped databases.

Solution
http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2553/different-ways-to-monitor-log-shipping-for-sql-server-databases/

Steps to Attach a SQL Server database without transaction log file

Problem: There could be situation where you missed the database transaction log file(.LDF) and you have only data file (.MDF). You can attach the database using below solution.

Solution: In the below script I have created the database,dropped its log file and created the database with the .mdf file.

--created database with .mdf and .ldf file
CREATE DATABASE [singleFileDemo] ON  PRIMARY 
( NAME = N'singleFileDemo', FILENAME = N'L:\singleFileDemo.mdf' , SIZE = 2048KB , FILEGROWTH = 10240KB )
 LOG ON 
( NAME = N'singleFileDemo_log', FILENAME = N'F:\singleFileDemo_log.ldf' , SIZE = 1024KB , FILEGROWTH = 5120KB )
GO

--inserting data into database
use singleFileDemo
create table tb1 (name varchar(10))

--inserting records
insert into tb1 values('Jugal')
go 10;

--deleting the log file
--detaching the database file
USE [master]
GO
EXEC master.dbo.sp_detach_db @dbname = N'singleFileDemo'
GO

-- now next step is delete the file manually or you can do it from command prompt
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'del F:\singleFileDemo_log.ldf'

-- script to attach the database 
USE [master]
GO
CREATE DATABASE [singleFileDemo] ON 
( FILENAME = N'L:\singleFileDemo.mdf' )
FOR ATTACH
GO 

When you will execute the CREATE DATABASE FOR Attach script you will get the below warning message.

File activation failure. The physical file name "F:\singleFileDemo_log.ldf" may be incorrect.
New log file 'F:\singleFileDemo_log.LDF' was created.

Once the database is ready execute the DBCC CHECKDB for any error.

Script to Enable/Disable Database for Replication

You can enable the database for replication using below script.

use master
exec sp_replicationdboption @dbname = 'sqldbpool',
@optname = 'publish',
@value = 'true'
go

If you have restore the database on test environment and you are getting the error that “Database is part of Replication”, you can clear/disable it by executing below query.

use master
exec sp_replicationdboption @dbname = 'sqldbpool',
@optname = 'publish',
@value = 'false'
go

Steps to change the server name for a SQL Server machine

ProblemIn this tip we look at the steps within SQL Server you need to follow if you change the physical server name for a standalone SQL Server.

Solution
http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2525/steps-to-change-the-server-name-for-a-sql-server-machine/