SQL Server Database Mail allows you to send email from SQL Server. This incredibly useful feature is a great improvement over its predecessor, SQLMail.

What is Service Broker exactly and how can it help you? Here is an overview of SQL Server's asynchronous messaging service with some practical examples of how you can use it to solve difficult problems.

Cloud Computing is replacing Virtualization as the IT buzzword of the moment. In this issue we take a look at the details of Azure, Microsoft's entry into the field.

The most important elements of a backup plan are the decisions you make, not the tools you use.

Everybody tells you to write set based code in SQL, but no one tells you what that really means.

This month we explain a few things you need to know about clustering, log-shipping and mirroring.

You might save a lot of money if you understand the details of Microsoft's new licensing model.

Troubleshooting a deadlock problem used to be one of the more difficult tasks that a DBA faced. It is still tricky but Deadlock Graph, makes it easier than it used to be.

XML is a useful tool in any database environment, but it has its limits. Pushing it past its limits can result in serious performance issues.

Virtualizaion is the buzzword of the moment but there are other server consolidation methods that might work better and cost less.