I have a couple of blogs extoling the greatness of the latest virtual labs that Microsoft has created for you and me…it might help some folks to actually review some of the features of SQL Server 2012 first before going and doing a lab. This eBook has some information that may help introduce the newest features of SQL Server, including the first chapter (or second?) entitled High Availability and Disaster Recovery Enchancements, which includes the AlwaysOn feature, destined to be very popular as another method at our disposal for keeping SQL Server available. Check it out here and look for the final edition. Happy eBooking! Lee -------------------- I thought that this was the release for something equivalent to RAC in SQL Server. I guess not. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/01/31/free-ebook-introducing-microsoft-sql-server-2012-second-draft-preview.aspx
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Here’s a cool tip/reminder from a blog that I saw the other day – the startup parameters for SQL Server now has its own tab. Before you had to scroll to the end of the startup parameters and add a semicolon to the configuration, which was a pain. You never really could see all of them at once, and editing them was a little tricky. Go to the SQL Server Configuration Manager from Start >> All Programs: Here’s the before and after: SQL Server 2008 SQL Server 2012…booyaaaah! Check out their blog post for further info. Thanks, Lee ----------------------- http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2012/01/25/the-sql-guy-post-13-changes-to-location-of-startup-options-in-sql-server-2012.aspx
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I always like little tips and tricks when I see one from someone who picked it up out in the trenches, at a client location, rather than one in the lab. Here’s one from the MSDN folks; check this out and keep this in your toolbox in case someone gets a database put into single-user mode, and the activity on the server doesn’t allow the ALTER DATABASE command to be run to get it to multi user. Thanks for the tip! Lee Everest -------------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dfurman/archive/2012/01/20/getting-out-of-single-user-mode.aspx
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Just perusing the MSDN and TechNet blogs today and came across a cool blog on Securing SQL Server Integration Services in the enterprise with respect to the SSIS Engine, SSIS packages, and the SQL Engine. I’m battling dealing with security problems where I work, mostly related to what was done in the past before I joined, trying to unravel security and permissions that used to be opened up but now closed. This post looks like some good info to start, and I hope to add my own best practices to his list as well. Lee ------------------ http://blogs.technet.com/b/fort_sql/archive/2011/11/08/securing-sql-server-integration-services-ssis.aspx
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I dig the blog posted two days ago by the Microsoft SQL Server Development Customer Advisory Team on writing hash functions using HASHBYTES; this is actually pretty cool and fairly promising for replacing the old CHECKSUM and BINARY_CHECKSUM that many of us have had problems with in the past. If you haven’t used these oldies but goodies, they are not precise, and can cause problems if you’re using them to test for changing rows. I remember back with SQL Server 7 when we tried to use them, but Microsoft didn’t put the slightly-important caveat that they didn’t work 100% of the time. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m needing pretty much 100% and spot-on all of the time at my workplace. Word? :) In their blog, they are using the hash to potentially use it as a mechanism to represent potential random locations for data – shards maybe? – using a fairly nice algorithm (MD5) and spread it evenly across buckets. You’ll notice that the experiment shows that the CHECKSUM stuff is imprecise in that it repeats the buckets while theirs, using Hashbyte, does a nice job of moving the data to all potential buckets based on their integer min and max. Pretty good dude! Go try it out – I’m going to do a few things now that I think about their little experiment, and see what I can come up with. Thanks for reading, Lee --------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/ http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlcat/archive/2011/11/28/writing-new-hash-functions-for-sql-server.aspx
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Ok kids it’s time for another version, and time for another 45,243 posts (at least) announcing that a release candidate is upon us. Actually this link is a pretty good one, and he lists a thorough set of resources for getting up to speed on all of the new features. Check it out and let me know what you think of the new version. I’m going to download it and throw it on a .vhd this weekend and see what’s up! Lee ----------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/blogdoezequiel/archive/2011/11/19/sql-server-2012-rc0-released.aspx
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Check out the schedule for Denali webcasts at http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdndevs/archive/2011/11/07/sql-server-roadmap-to-denali-webcast-series.aspx and see if you don’t find something of interest. Mostly BI stuff, the Canadian Developer Connection bunch has put together five webcasts that will be starting up tomorrow; I may check one out, although they are after the lunch hour. I’d like to learn about the BI Semantic model as well as the mission critical stuff for sure. As an added bonus, attendees that enroll in all five webcasts will receive a bevy of fabulous gifts and prizes, and I’m all about freebies and giveaways! Lee ------------------------- They’re from Canada…sure hope everyone can understand them, eh? http://blogs.msdn.com/b/cdndevs/archive/2011/11/07/sql-server-roadmap-to-denali-webcast-series.aspx
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I always dig the free events – see old friends, miss work, drink coffee all day, and get pens, paper, and giveaways. Oh yeah, and maybe learn a thing or two I guess. Microsoft is holding A Day with Microsoft Virtualization at a campus in your areas soon. Here’s the one that I'd like to go to, but check out the other locations and see if one is close to you. These are fee, but you need to sign up. A Day with Microsoft Virtualization: Hyper-V, SCVMM 2012 and SCOM 2012 Does your company use VMware? Are you sure it's the best choice? The industry is buzzing about the cloud in all its forms, including public, private and hybrid deployment models. If you're eager to explore the cloud and alternative ways of building next-generation data centers, please join us for an exciting day of learning with your Microsoft TechNet IT Pro Evangelists. We'll take a technical look at the next set of Microsoft virtualization technologies and how they can help you harness the cloud – on your own terms. These events are a great opportunity to advance your career and become the cloud expert in your organization. So grab a cup of coffee and get set for a fast-paced, demo-heavy day of learning. The morning session will take a look at Microsoft virtualization technologies and all the products you need to take your data center to the next level. We will do direct comparisons, and discuss the myths surrounding how Microsoft Virtualization compares to VMware; proving that Microsoft is the best choice in terms of performance, management, and dramatically lower TCO. In the afternoon, provided you've brought a sufficiently powered laptop, you'll have a chance to get hands-on and explore these new technologies on your own terms. Ask questions, compare notes with your peers and get the answers you need. The day will wind down with a bonus session presented by your local IT Pro Evangelist to highlight additional topics, certification roadmaps, and more. Register now and save your seat for these FREE, full-day events in your local area. For more information or to register, visit > www.technetevents.com OR CALL 1-877-MSEVENT Location Date Overland Park, KS Oct. 10 Creve Coeur, MO Oct. 12 Houston, TX Nov. 2 Austin, TX Nov. 3 Irving, TX Nov. 7 Southfield, MO Nov. 15 Mason, OH Nov. 29 Dublin, OH Nov. 30 Brookfield, WI Dec. 8 Downers Grove, IL Dec. 13 Bloomington, MN Dec. 13 Chicago, IL Dec. 15 Events run from 9:00am - 5:00pm Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited, so register today. Thanks for reading, Lee -------------------- https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032494499&Culture=en-US
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I’ve got to get started back geeking with Azure. You see, I joined an insurance company, and the chances of their doing SQL Azure are slim to none…about the same chance as my dear grandmother walking through the door wondering when I’m going to get off of the computer on a Saturday morning. (She passed away many years ago). But, that won’t keep me from dorking with it, because it’s cool, and I’m down with cool stuff, regardless whether the place that signs my check is into it or not. Don’t care. Azure is slick, and the cloud is slick. Is Microsoft’s version ready for prime-time? That’s the question that still lingers. Check out this blog by David Riddell McGhee, who is a Windows Azure Technical Specialist for Microsoft Australia. He’s done a good job with his blog posts and has kept very active on what’s going on with this technology. His latest effort here in his weekly newsletter is a compilation of some really great stuff. Hopefully I can kill some time this weekend and watch a few of these vids. Lee Everest ----------------------- Wait, this may be her now http://blogs.msdn.com/b/davidmcg/archive/2011/09/20/azure-action-weekly-newsletter-19th-november-2011.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage
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I saw where the SQL Team Blog posted the CTP3 product guide today, chock full of goodies for Denali. This is cool, because when I want to go exploring I never can find the good stuff…now they give you a tick sheet let you know. I’m going to geek with Denali this weekend and see what cool stuff I can find. I’m pretty excited about the newest release, and I think the CTP3 is 90% code complete, according to what I’ve heard. Good stuff! Lee ------------------------ http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27069 http://blogs.technet.com/b/dataplatforminsider/archive/2011/08/10/sql-server-code-name-denali-ctp3-product-guide-is-here.aspx
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Check out this blog for passing parameters for the Execute Package Task - they’ve made it a bit simpler to pass parameters from parent to child packages in SQL Server Denali CTP3. I actually never thought it was that difficult to do it with SQL Server 2008, but this does make it about a two-click step now. Take a look at this posting on the SSIS Team Blog and see what you think. Good stuff to know when we get the new version. Lee ---------------- Oh hellz yes! New Beavis and Butthead episodes coming this fall to MTV. Booyaaaaaaaaah! http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mattm/archive/2011/07/18/changes-to-the-execute-package-task.aspx
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Here’s a blog to check out – how to slipstream SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) that came out yesterday. Follow these steps and you will have a SQL Server 2008 R2 folder already upgraded to service pack one, with no need to do a separate install. Speaking of, I wonder why they just don’t offer this as a download on MSDN for SQL Server? Someone surely wouldn’t want to run SQL 2005 out of the box, given that we’ve had, what, half a dozen service packs for that version? You know that you can get some downloads, such as Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 with service pack 1 already included: Anyway, this is a good post. Think I’ll give it a shot now. Lee ------------------------ http://blogs.msdn.com/b/petersad/archive/2011/07/13/how-to-slipstream-sql-server-2008-r2-and-a-sql-server-2008-r2-service-pack-1-sp1.aspx
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I’m still having fun geeking with SQL Azure although we are not using it at work. Looks like the UK ISV Developer Evangelism Team has put together a step-by-step for getting started in SQL Azure. Check out the link and see if some of this doesn’t help you get going. All of the exercises and labs are supported by projects on Codeplex.com; I’m messing around with the brand new Azure migration wizard. Pretty cool! Lee -------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukisvdev/archive/2011/07/04/15-episode-sql-azure-learning-series.aspx
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I usually peruse the MSDN blogs and grab the best articles, and happened across a new blog by Bryan Smith that you should check out. Bryan works for Microsoft at the MTC in Las Colinas (Irving, TX) and is a super-sharp SQL Server expert who specializes in a wide variety of topics within the product, including SSAS. I think he’s written a book or two…hmm yep I have one sitting right here on MDX. Anyway, check out his blog for some cool stuff. I think he just spoke at our local PASS chapter recently on Building Secure Database Applications with Microsoft SQL Server, and blogged about it recently as well. Here is a paragraph from that site on Bryan: Bryan Smith is a Database Technology Specialist with Microsoft in Dallas, TX. Prior to his current role, Bryan served as a consultant and trainer with Hitachi Consulting, assisting a variety of customers in designing, implementing, and supporting database and Business Intelligence solutions. I don’t see much going on at the MTC blog anymore, so maybe Bryan is branching out with his new blog. Looking forward to some neat posts in the future. -Lee http://blogs.msdn.com/b/data_otaku/archive/2011/06.aspx http://blogs.msdn.com/b/data_otaku/archive/2011/06/21/build-secure-database-applications-with-microsoft-sql-server.aspx http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mtc/
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A blog this week from the SQL Server Performance Team tells about a new SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) component available for BIDS in SQL Server 2008 and SQL 2008 R2 on Windows Server 2008/R2: There is a new transform component available for SQL Server Integration Services. It’s called the Balanced Data Distributor (BDD) and the download is available here. The BDD provides an easy way to amp up your usage of multi-processor and multi-core servers by introducing parallelism in the data flow of an SSIS package. More info: Microsoft® SSIS Balanced Data Distributor (BDD) is a new SSIS transform. This transform takes a single input and distributes the incoming rows to one or more outputs uniformly via multithreading. The transform takes one pipeline buffer worth of rows at a time and moves it to the next output in a round robin fashion. It’s balanced and synchronous so if one of the downstream transforms or destinations is slower than the others, the rest of the pipeline will stall so this transform works best if all of the outputs have identical transforms and destinations. The intention of BDD is to improve performance via multi-threading. Several characteristics of the scenarios BDD applies to: 1) the destinations would be uniform, or at least be of the same type. 2) the input is faster than the output, for example, reading from flat file to OleDB. In case you haven’t geeked with a lot of hardware lately, the influx of multi-core processing has exploded; even the manufacturers are adding HyperThreading technology back into servers and laptops. These CPUs are capable of multi-threading while some of the processes that use them – namely SSIS – have a hard time keeping up with the capability of parallelism. It looks like this demand has prompted this mid-release of a component to help us since components in the current and latest version of SSIS doesn’t support this type of parallel processing. You can read about it here download it here. Links are below to check out. I’ll have to fire up a couple of examples and see what’s up. Oh, about the download…you download a Word document from the download page, enable editing if necessary, and then click on a button at the bottom, which opens links for x32 and x64. Thanks for reading, Lee --------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlperf/archive/2011/05/25/the-balanced-data-distributor-for-ssis.aspx http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=ea0a1544-5ee4-4ad4-9d76-296d0632f162 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?FamilyID=ea0a1544-5ee4-4ad4-9d76-296d0632f162
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Get a real job! Just saw a post by the most great Sunil Agarwal that the SQL Server team is hiring top-notch pros. Go to the SQL Server Jobs page and click through and see all of the SQL Server jobs. I never even knew that the page existed. Very cool! Check it out, and if you get an interview, tell ‘em I sent you lol. Lee ------------------- Peter Gibbons: Well see, they wrote all this bank software, and, uh, to save space, they used two digits for the date instead of four. So, like, 98 instead of 1998? Uh, so I go through these thousands of lines of code and, uh... it doesn't really matter. I uh, I don't like my job, and, uh, I don't think I'm gonna go anymore. Joanna: You're just not gonna go? Peter Gibbons: Yeah. http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2011/05/17/sql-server-team-is-hiring.aspx http://www.microsoft-careers.com/go/SQL-Server-Jobs/194689/?&title=&location=&date=&sortby=7&sortdir=desc
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Check out this blog that discusses the SQL Iterators, and suggests a further look at the CLR versions out on Codeplex. I’ve always liked these; I have used however, and the results that I got were not as expected. It’s a good idea, I think, to take a look at what’s happening in SQL Profiler as a check. I think once I tried to update statistics but it wasn’t working underneath. Probably something that I did wrong :) Lee Everest ---------------------- http://blogs.msdn.com/b/bobtaylor/archive/2011/05/02/sql-iterators-making-the-life-of-a-sql-server-dba-that-much-easier.aspx
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