Lee Brownhill: The Data Community - Episode 373

Oct 27, 2025

Lee Brownhill, a Principal Cloud DBA with rich experience in SQL Server, shares insights from his IT journey. He highlights common SQL anti-patterns, including the notorious 'row by agonizing row' approach. Lee discusses his triage method for addressing performance issues using a thorough checklist, alongside the importance of normalization for optimal database design. He also explores Azure SQL options and cost management strategies, asserting that adopting best practices in database management can lead to significant improvements.

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ANECDOTE

First SQL Server Hook

Lee discovered SQL Server while supporting a Dynamics NAV upgrade and became obsessed with that single server.
He migrated scattered reports into SSRS, which cemented his desire to become a DBA.

ADVICE

Favor Set-Based Operations

Avoid row-by-row processing in SQL and prefer set-based operations for performance.
Replace loops and cursors with set-based queries to reduce unnecessary I/O and locking.

ADVICE

Categorize Problems First

Start incident work by categorizing severity: server down, imminent failure, or slow report.
Use the category to set stakeholder expectations and choose appropriate actions.

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Lee Brownhill is a Principal Cloud DBA at Cloud Rede with deep expertise in SQL Server performance tuning and automation. With years of experience across Azure and AWS, Lee helps clients optimize their cloud data platforms.

His journey began in IT support, quickly evolving into a passion for SQL Server that led him through roles as a Production and Developer DBA. Now, he's a trusted consultant, known for making systems run faster and smarter.

Lee is a Redgate Community Ambassador, a regular at SQLBits and Data Relay, and once spent a transformative week learning from T-SQL legend Itzik Ben-Gan. Whether on-prem or in the cloud, Lee's mission is simple: make SQL Server shine.

Topics of Discussion:

[2:33] Lee shares his career journey, starting in general IT support and transitioning to a role involving Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which introduced him to SQL Server.

[5:48] Jeffrey discusses the challenges faced by young programmers who work with databases but lack deep experience.

[7:05] Lee highlights common anti-patterns in SQL Server.

[8:04] The concept of "row by agonizing row."

[8:46] Lee shares his thought process when addressing performance problems in SQL Server.

[9:12] Categorizing issues based on their severity and urgency using a tried-and-true checklist.

[10:36] Taking a step back to look at the issue holistically before diving into specific details.

[16:04] An optimal database structure and segmentation in 2025, and the importance of normalization to avoid redundant data and ensure data integrity.

[20:00] The different ways to host SQL Server in Azure and the benefits of each.

[23:02] Metrics for determining if an Azure SQL instance is over- or under-provisioned.

[25:02] The value of Azure's costing tools in helping to optimize resource usage and reduce costs.

[26:07] The work of site reliability engineers who use KQL to analyze logs and identify issues.

[30:09] Lee's blog is a repository of technical topics, including SQL Server, performance tuning, and unit testing.

[32:10] SQL Server 2025 features and the importance of learning and understanding new technologies.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Clear Measure Way

Architect Forum

Software Engineer Forum

Lee Brownhill's Blog

Lee Brownhill LinkedIn

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