I like free stuff, who does not right? To add, what if those free stuff are really good and can help you make your job managing SQL Servers easy? Tell me more and I will sign wherever I need to right now.

I wish I had come across these resources early in my career as these would have made me a rock star junior DBA. Or at the very least avoided a trillion Google searches with different keywords “Why is my SQL Server slow all of a sudden?“

SP_WhoIsActive – Adam Machanic
My favorite. A comprehensive stored procedure that gives you good information.
I still use system-stored procedures like sp_who, sp_who2, and DMVs/DMFs to quickly check users, processes, current sessions, etc. in a SQL instance.
Although these system SPs and objects give me enough but not enough useful information that I can digest easily. Written by Microsoft MVP Adam Machanic, SP_WhoIsActive collects data from various DMVs and renders data in an easy-to-understand format.

Download SP_WhoIsActive

First Responder Kit – Brent Ozar
Brent Ozar (A rare Microsoft-certified master) packs in a bunch of awesome scripts under his first responder kit. Make sure you read the manuals for those scripts and thank me later.
My favorite scripts from Brent’s first aid are:

  • sp_Blitz – Health check for your SQL Servers with links for help
  • sp_BlitzCache – Find queries that are not performing well
  • sp_BlitzFirst – Troubleshoot slow SQL Servers. Provides details like query wait stats, CPU usage, etc.
  • sp_BlitzIndex – Runs thorough diagnostics on indexes and provides links for more help.
  • sp_BlitxQueryStore – Query analysis over time

Download First Responder Kit

SQL Server Troubleshooting Scripts: Eric Darling
Eric Darling not only provides the best training on the internet but also helps you troubleshoot problems with SQL Server.

  • sp_PressureDetector – Identify issues with Queries. Provides memory utilization, and server CPU thread.
  • sp_HumanEvents – Troubleshoot blocking, wait stats, queries, etc.

Download DarlingData

Opserver: Stack Exchange
Built by the team at Stack Exchange, it is a free tool for monitoring SQL Servers and more.

Download Opserver

Dbatools – Chrissy LeMaire (Creator)
Almost like a command-line version of SSMS. Extremely helpful for instance migration, implementing best practices, and automation for your SQL Servers.

Download Dbatools

SQL Server Maintenance Solution – Ola Hallengren
For a database administrator, this is a must-have. This solution helps for

  • Running database backups
  • Database integrity check and
  • Index & statistics maintenance

Download SQL Server Maintenance Solution