SQL Server Magazine UPDATE, February 1, 2007--Easing Performance-Tuning with Quad-Core Technology

In This Issue:
No doubt there will always be a need for trained performance-tuning professionals, but quad-core technology simplifies at least one aspect of the quest for better performance.

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February 1, 2007

1. Perspectives

Easing Performance-Tuning with Quad-Core Technology

2. SQL Server Watch

Learn About Reporting Services Integration with MOM
Product Watch: AquaFold and Sonasoft

3. Hot Articles

Tip: Fn_virtualfilestats() Function Reports Reads and Writes
Feature: Native XML Web Services in SQL Server 2005
Puzzled by T-SQL: Palindromes Puzzle Solutions
In a Nutshell: Spatial Indexing
Hot Threads: SQL Server 2005 Management Tools Administration

4. Events and Resources

Data Protection and Disaster Recovery Tips
SQL Server Magazine Connections
Jump Start Your SQL Server Skills

5. Featured White Paper

Clean Up Your Email Act

6. Announcements

Make Your Mark on the IT Community!
Ring in the New Year with SQL Server Magazine

7. Web Community

http://www.sqlmag.com

Sponsor: XOsoft
SQL Server Clustering for High Availability
Achieve your database high availability goals. Learn how Microsoft’s Clustering Services can be used to improve SQL Server availability, and get guidelines for how clusters can assist with your disaster recovery strategy. Also learn to upgrade and manage your existing clusters. Register today for this free Web seminar! On-Demand Web Seminar.

1. Perspectives

Easing Performance-Tuning with Quad-Core Technology
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

I don’t pretend to be a hardware expert who keeps up with the absolutely latest news, but I know Dell has been shipping 2-socket quad-core servers powered by Intel processors for a few months now. It’s not exactly brand-new news, but it’s still pretty interesting. I have two young children, and I can imagine them, 30 or 40 years in the future, chatting with their kids about database capacity planning. The conversation might go something like this:

“Oh yeah? Well when I was your age, we didn’t have these new-fangled, infinity-core, bio-engineered processors. We had to tune databases the old-fashioned way. It was hard work! And we had to walk back and forth to work, uphill both ways, in the snow...” (Some things parents say will never change.)

Ok, I’m not exactly sure those infinity-core servers will ever make the skills of a trained tuning professional obsolete, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be retired before it happens, so I’m not too worried. But it sure is interesting to see the leaps and bounds in processing power that have been happening in the recent year. Gotta love Moore.

Read the full article at: http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/95062/sql_server_95062.html

Sponsor: Sybase
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2. SQL Server Watch

Learn About Reporting Services Integration with MOM
Database professionals who are challenged with delivering system-monitoring information will want to read up on the native integration among Microsoft Office Visio 2007, Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 (MOM), Microsoft Exchange, and SQL Server Reporting Services. The Microsoft article “Integrating Visio 2007 and MOM, Exchange, and Reporting Services” explains the interactivity of these products and describes some additional ways that you can integrate the programs by using Visio Automation. You can read the full article at: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb264455.aspx

Product Watch
by Blake Eno, [email protected]

View, Modify, Visualize, and Maintain Storage Resources
AquaFold announced upgrades to its database query and administration tool, Aqua Data Studio 6.0, which supports key database platforms such as SQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2, and MySQL. This release features new database-administration tools for SQL Server that let you view, modify, visualize, and maintain storage resources while you manage users, roles, profiles, and database sessions. A new set of difference tools provides a quick look into the differences between two complete database schemas. You can view the differences between individual schema objects, files, directory structures, or SQL statements. Pricing for Aqua Data Studio starts at $399 for 1 to 20 licenses. For more information, contact AquaFold.

Ensure That Your Data is Safe—Even When Your System Fails
Sonasoft announced a new version of SonaSafe for SQL Servers, a software solution that protects your data from hardware and software failures and human errors. SonaSafe maintains the redundant, standby server by continually updating it with data retrieved from the primary system. And in case of a primary system failure, SonaSafe ensures that the standby system can take over instantly. The new release can trigger script execution before and after a backup task, which lets you create plans and tasks that will automatically perform any management task before or directly after running a particular backup operation. For more information, contact Sonasoft at 408-927-6200.

3. Hot Articles

Fn_virtualfilestats() Function Reports Reads and Writes
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

Find out what the number of reads and writes reported by the fn_virtualfilestats() system function mean. Read this tip today at http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/44846/sql_server_44846.html

Feature: Native XML Web Services in SQL Server 2005
The Native XML Web Services feature in SQL Server 2005 removes dependency on IIS to help you create robust, feature-rich enterprise database solutions. Here’s how the feature works, how to implement it, and how to code client applications. Read this article today and post your comments at http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94536/sql_server_94536.html

Puzzled by T-SQL: Palindromes Puzzle Solutions
Itzik Ben-Gan describes the solutions to the palindromes puzzle posted last week. Read the blog and put up your own post today at: http://www.sqlmag.com/article/articleid/95008/sql_server_blog_95008.html

In a Nutshell: Spatial Indexing
New research in spatial indexing may be added to a future release of SQL Server. The paper that Kevin Kline links to was co-written by the noted researcher Jim Gray, who is missing this week. Read Kevin Kline’s comments and post your own today at http://www.sqlmag.com/article/articleid/95006/sql_server_blog_95006.html

Hot Threads:

4. Events and Resources

Data Protection and Disaster Recovery Tips
Discover a wealth of information about how to protect and secure your data in the event of a disaster. You might not be able to predict disasters, but you can be prepared with a solid response when one strikes. Disaster can strike anywhere, so make sure you're ready when it does. Download your free copy of this eBook today!

SQL Server Magazine Connections
March 25-28, 2007, Orlando World Center Marriott. Dive into the latest releases, and train with Microsoft architects and world-renowned developers and DBAs. Choose from more than 150 in-depth, no-hype sessions. Register early to save $100 and attend sessions of the concurrently run Visual Studio Connections and Microsoft ASP.NET Connections for FREE. For more details, call 800-438-6720 or 203-268-3204 or visit http://www.sqlconnections.com.

Jump Start Your SQL Server Skills
Got information? Good! Now, can you use it? Get up to speed on database design and hierarchy, including using columns and data types, creating databases, and using the Query Editor. Download your free copy today!

See the complete Windows IT Pro Network guide to Web and live events.

5. Featured White Paper

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Hot Spot: Double-Take Software
Enhancing SQL Protection: A Case for Asynchronous Replication
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6. Announcements

Make Your Mark on the IT Community!
Nominate yourself or a peer to become "IT Pro of the Month." This is your chance to get the recognition you deserve! Winners will receive over $600 in IT resources and be featured in Windows IT Pro. It's easy to enter—we're accepting February nominations now, but only for a limited time! Submit your nomination today: http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/itpromonth

Ring in the New Year with SQL Server Magazine
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7. Web Community

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