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Free Disaster Recovery Toolkit for the SQL DBA
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Breakthrough Solution for SQL Server Consolidation
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SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need
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SQL Server MVPs Say It's a Must-Have Tool
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April 7, 2005
1. Perspectives
2. SQL Server 2005 Watch
3. News & Views
4. Events and Resources
5. Peer to Peer
6. Announcements
7. New & Improved
Sponsor: Free Disaster Recovery Toolkit for the SQL DBA
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1. Perspectives
by Brian Moran, [email protected]
When you're trying to decide how to prepare for SQL Server 2005 and all its new features and architectural options, remember the words of wisdom of sayings such as, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" and "Rome wasn't built in a day." I'm well aware that you probably have little time in your day to devote to learning about a product that you won't be using in production for at least 6 months. But, as I have said before, SQL Server 2005 isn't going to be a product upgrade that you can cram for inside a weekend. But don't worry; I have a suggestion. If you don't have weeks to devote to learning about the new product or you're overwhelmed by the amount of information you're seeing about SQL Server 2005, breaking the information into bite-sized pieces might be the way to go.
Microsoft is publishing a massive amount of information about SQL Server 2005 in its latest Webcast series, and the content is already broken into easily digestible pieces. When you register for the SQL Server 2005 Webcast series at http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712F:7B3DB , you can learn more about Microsoft .NET Framework integration, T-SQL and managed code, Web services, native XML support, data access using ADO.NET 2.0, and much more. You'll find 25 developer-related topics offered in April alone--not counting the many Webcasts Microsoft has released over the past few months that are available for viewing. The "Find Events and Webcasts" page at http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7131:7B3DB shows 110 SQL Server-related Webcasts released in the last 90 days. Those 110 Webcasts aren't only about SQL Server 2005, but not surprisingly, most of the recent content does cover the upcoming release. And if you're lucky, you'll win a Windows Portable Media Center pre-loaded with the best SQL Server 2005 Webcasts.
I know that for many overworked folks out there, just looking at the Webcast list might be intimidating. But set aside an hour, pick the course that looks most interesting to you, then cross it off the list when you're done. A few dozen Webcasts later, you'll have accumulated a good working knowledge that will make it easier for you to implement SQL Server 2005 or at least create a more specific plan of study. Of course, there's no substitute for actually playing with the product, but you need to start somewhere. Get yourself some popcorn and a soda, put your feet up, and start learning about SQL Server 2005. A chance to eat a lot of popcorn? Sounds like a good plan to me!
With ARMTech for SQL Server workload management technology from Aurema, you can improve system utilization and performance, lower TCO and say goodbye forever to the days of "one app, one server." The only workload management solution specifically designed to enable SQL Server consolidation, ARMTech delivers increased reliability, improved performance, and higher system utilization in Windows server environments. Download your free evaluation copy of ARMTech for SQL Server and start saving today!
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2. SQL Server 2005 Watch
In a Nutshell: SQL Server 2005 Roadshows
In this week's blog "SQL Server 2005 Roadshows Are on the Move," Kevin Kline talks about the SQL Server 2005 Roadshow being brought to you by SQL Server Magazine, Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), Microsoft, and industry experts. These one-day events are the best quick-start opportunity available for SQL Server users to get a jumpstart on migrating to SQL Server 2005. By providing users with the very best education and outstanding local networking outlets, the roadshows help strengthen the SQL Server community and facilitate the information sharing that helps SQL Server professionals do their jobs better. Kevin provides the roadshow's schedule of cities. Let Kevin know if you plan to attend and if you think the content is going to be valuable to you today at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712E:7B3DB
Yukon Beta General Discussion Forum: Database Mirroring
Jcsnow20 is having problems mirroring a database. Jcsnow20 follows the steps outlined in the Help file, and it appears that the mirroring works, but when Jcsnow20 tested the failover by unplugging the network connection to the main server, the failover failed. The error message says that the database isn't synchronized with its partner and can't access the database. The same message appears when Jcsnow20 plugs back in to the main server. Offer your advice and see what others have said in SQL Server Magazine's General Discussion (Yukon) forum today at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7124:7B3DB
Yukon Beta DTS Forum: Seeing DTS Packages on SQL Server 2000 Server
Bekir wants to see the DTS packages on a SQL Server 2000 server that has a SQL Server 2005 client install. Bekir doesn't want to migrate at this time but would like to see and make changes to the DTS packages. Offer your advice and see what others have said in SQL Server Magazine's DTS (Yukon) forum today at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7123:7B3DB
SQL Server Magazine Gives DBAs and Developers What They Need
With SQL Server 2005 right around the corner, it's important to note that SQL Server Magazine is on target to deliver comprehensive coverage of all betas of the new product and the final release. If you aren't already a subscriber, now is the time to subscribe to the No. #1 SQL Server resource to get all the answers you need. Subscribe now and SAVE 30% off the cover price!
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3. News & Views
Results of Previous Instant Poll: Database Experience
"What databases besides SQL Server do you have experience with?" Here are the results from the 204 votes:
New Instant Poll: Learning SQL Server 2005
"Have you started learning how to use SQL Server 2005?" Go to the SQL Server Magazine home page ( http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=713E:7B3DB ) and submit your vote for
4. Events and Resources
Sign up now for this free Web seminar and get a quick start in mapping Oracle database-management skills, knowledge, and experience to SQL Server database management. Learn about the varying similarities and differences between Oracle and SQL Server and get a preview of real-world tips and techniques for managing these associated technologies. Register now!
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7122:7B3DB
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7121:7B3DB
Get the facts about migrating to SQL Server 2005. SQL Server experts will present real-world information about administration, development, and business intelligence to help you implement a best-practices migration to SQL Server 2005 and improve your database-computing environment. Receive a 1-year membership to PASS and 1-year subscription to SQL Server Magazine. Register now!
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712D:7B3DB
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5. Peer to Peer
Trace flag 2861 causes SQL Server to cache query plans for trivial queries that have a cost of zero or close to zero. SQL Server typically won't cache plans for these trivial queries because the cost of caching the plan is higher than the cost of generating a new plan for such a simple query. However, some people like to use the fn_get_sql() function to see what queries are running on a server, but fn_get_sql() can't see queries associated with the zero-cost plans unless you enable trace flag 2861.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712B:7B3DB
The first amendment to the United States Constitution requires (among other things) that two powerful entities, religion and government, stay out of each other's business. It's called the "separation of church and state," and it's a good idea. Along similar lines, there are good reasons to keep database vendors out of the application space. In his April editorial "Freedom to Choose," Michael Otey explains why even though integration between applications is typically a good thing, the integration of the database and application vendor doesn't benefit the customer. Read this article today at
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712C:7B3DB
Hot Threads: Check out the following hot threads, and see other discussions in our 30 SQL Server forums.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7132:7B3DB
General Discussion: Publishing Tables for Transaction Replication Without Primary Keys
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7127:7B3DB
Performance: Benefits of Splitting or Not Splitting Tables
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7125:7B3DB
T-SQL: UPDATE Statement Taking Forever to Run
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=712A:7B3DB
Development: Question About Nested Stored Procedure
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7129:7B3DB
Administration: Migrating from Microsoft Access to SQL Server
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7128:7B3DB
Database Design: What is xref Used For?
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7126:7B3DB
SQL Server MVPs Say sqlSentry Is a Must-Have Tool
"You'll never know how you lived without it" -- "It's a must-have in the DBAs arsenal" -- "This is a product that every DBA should use" -- "Comprehensive and productive" -- "This is the answer to the busy DBA's prayers" -- Read more...
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6. Announcements
Hundreds of free tips and articles on SQL Server performance tuning and clustering. And get quick, accurate answers to your performance- and cluster-related question in our forum. All from the SQL Server performance authority: SQL-Server-Performance.Com.
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7138:7B3DB
The newest version of the SQL Server Magazine Master CD is here. Sign up today and you'll get fingertip access to the full SQL Server Magazine article database--6 years of content on CD-ROM! Bonus: exclusive SQL Server 2005 content. Sign up now.
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7. New & Improved
by Dawn Cyr, [email protected]
Have you used a product that saved you time or made your job easier? Tell us about it! If we print your story in the Hands On department, we'll send you a SQL Server Magazine t-shirt. Send your product success story to [email protected].
Tableau Software announced Tableau, a visual analysis and reporting solution that lets people explore and analyze databases by using simple drag-and-drop operations. The software uses the new query language VizQL to call live, visual information out of databases. The new language works with any Microsoft database program, including all SQL Server versions, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Excel. DBAs and developers are freed from the need to support users' requirements for multiple views of data because the software gives users a tool they can use to effectively work with data on their own, creating multiple interactive views and analyses with a simple mouse click. The ease with which users can manipulate data lets you leverage the investment your company has in its database; users can discover meaningful business information and solve crucial problems by looking at data in multiple views and drilling down to see important details in clear, graphical formats. The software uses native SQL Server authentication to maintain secure user access. Tableau Standard Edition connects to data in Excel, Access, and text files and costs $999. Tableau Professional Edition connects to data in SQL Server, Analysis Services, Excel, Access, IBM DB2 OLAP Server, Hyperion Essbase, MySQL, and text files and costs $1799. For more information, contact Tableau Software at 206-633-3400 or [email protected].
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=713C:7B3DB
Boost SQL Server Free-Text Retrieval
Imceda Software announced Speed SQL Turbo, full-text search optimization software for SQL Server. Many organizations use free-text search capabilities for server and Web-based applications, but as databases grow, the free-text search capability slows dramatically. SQL Turbo solves this performance problem so that users can continue using the sophisticated data-management capabilities of their relational database as it grows. The software integrates seamlessly with SQL Server and is accessed through stored procedures, so it's easy to implement. The highly scalable software significantly extends SQL Servers ability to perform free-text retrieval for large enterprise databases. SQL Turbo includes advanced search features such as approximate search, fuzzy search, phonetic search, and stemming. In addition, the software provides near realtime index updating; lets you index documents and Web pages and point to them through a path or URL in the database; and provides custom pre-processing of data before indexing. The software runs in a separate process from SQL Server, so it doesn't affect your SQL Server's stability. SQL Turbo can run on a dedicated computer to avoid competing with SQL Server for server resources, and you can run several SQL Turbo Servers in a server group to provide load balancing and failover. SQL Turbo, which supports SQL Server 2000 and 7.0, is in testing for SQL Server 2005 support. Pricing starts at $2495 per CPU. For more information, contact Imceda Software at 781-229-6300, 888-763-7685, or [email protected].
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=713F:7B3DB
Get Expanded Support of EDI Standards
Altova announced the latest release of its software line, Altova Software 2005 release 3, which includes significant enhancements to Altova MapForce 2005, software that provides an interface for mapping any combination of XML files, database files, flat files, and EDI data. The software converts data on the fly and auto-generates data-conversion code in XSLT 2.0 and 1.0, XQuery, Java, C++, and C# for use in custom data-integration applications. The latest release of MapForce includes EDI output, which enables the use of EDI files in the ANSI/ASC X12 and UN/EDIFACT standards as output targets for complex data mappings. Also, the software now allows you unlimited use of function input parameters, supports mixed-content mapping, and accommodates null values. Pricing for Altova MapForce 2005 single-user licenses starts at $249 for the Professional edition and $599 for the Enterprise edition. For more information, contact Altova at 978-816-1600 or [email protected].
http://lists.sqlmag.com/t?ctl=7140:7B3DB
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