Greg Larsen's Blog

April 2008 - Posts

• SQL Server Patch Management Methodology

  As most of you probably already know Cummulative Update #7 for SQL Server 2005 was released on April 17th. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949095).  Also Microsoft has now said they will be providing a Service Pack 3 sometime after SQL Server 2008 has been release to manafacture (http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2008/04/15/sql-server-2005-sp3-coming-soon.aspx). So one way or another you should consider how you plan to patch your SQL Server 2005 machines.   As I see it there are three different patch management strategies you can take.  The first option is every 8 weeks when a new Cummulative Update comes out from Microsoft install it.  This will keep you up to date with all the fixes close to when they come out.  The second option is to only apply  the specific hotfixes that you need to resolve what ever problems you encounter.  And now with Server Pack 3 coming out in the future you have a third option, and that is wait until SP3 comes out and apply it. Now in our shop we have decided to do use a combination of option  2 and 3.  We have decided this because of this language in the Cummulative Updates: A supported cumulative update package is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problems that are described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing these specific problems. This cumulative update package may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by any of these problems, we recommend that you wait for the next SQL Server 2005 service pack that contains the hotfixes in this cumulative update package.   We feel that if all fixes in a Cummulative Update have not be thoroughly tested then we don’t want to apply the Cummulative Update.   Although if we have a problem that is fixed with a particular hotfix then we will apply that hotfix patch. Lastly we have decided that when applying a hotfix we will setup a test environment to verify the hotfix does in fact fix a problem we have identified.  If we can’t verify it fixes a problem, and/or causes additional problems it will not be rolled into our production environment.  When we apply Service Packs we also apply it in a test environment  first.  But we also will perform some additional application testing to verify nothing breaks due to rolling out a Service Pack.  So how are you applying Cummulative Updates, and what is your Patch Management Methodology?   Posted Apr 24 2008, 06:51 AM by Greg Larsen with 2 comment(s) Filed under: SQL Server 2005, Patches, Cummulative Updates

• GIS Data Types in SQL Server 2008

  SQL Server 2005 has some new GIS data types.  How many of you are GIS savvy?  Well I’ll by the first one to admit that I don’t work with GIS data.  But I am starting to look at SQL Server 2008 and trying to encourage our GIS guy to look at the new GIS data types within SQL Server.   Today the Redmond Magazine has an article where John Baleja, senior product manager at mapping software provider ESRI says “…will be easier integration with other applications, more security and possibly better performance.”  Now as I already said I know very little about GIS data, but this statement by an ESRI management type would lead me to believe that have GIS data types in SQL Server 2008 might be a big deal, a good thing, and something worth looking at.   When I told our GIS guy about this article, the GIS data types, and suggested he might want to look at how SQL Server 2008 might support storing his layers of GIS data he said something like “I must not have enough to do if I’m thinking how SQL Server 2008 will support GIS”.  I see these new data GIS data types as an opportunity to determine if we can leverage SQL Server 2088 to better support our existing environment.  I’m interested in hearing your comments about the new Spatial Data types in SQL Server 2008.  Will these new data type really make your environment more security, and provide a boost in performance for your GIS data stores?  For you GIS types out there do you see value in migrating your GIS data into SQL Server 2008?   Posted Apr 15 2008, 08:19 PM by Greg Larsen with 2 comment(s)

• Three New Visual Studio 2008 MCTS Exams Announced

  Three Visual Studio 2008  MCTS came out today (see below).  Passing one of these exams along with the Exam 70-536 TS: .NET Framework, Application Development Foundation are need to get ceritfied.   Exam 70-502 TS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Presentation Foundation Application Development http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-502.mspx   Exam 70-503 TS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Application Development http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-503.mspx Exam 70-504 TS: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation Application Development http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-504.mspx More testing opportunities, Greg, MCITPhttp://sqlservexamples.com Posted Apr 14 2008, 10:25 PM by Greg Larsen with no comments

• SQL Server Networking

  Did you think this post had something to do with the routers, switches and wires connecting SQL Server machines to the World Wide Web?  If so you are wrong.  This post has to do with my experience working one of the vendor booths at the “Heroes Happen Here” launch last week.   For those of you that don’t know what the “Heroes Happen Here” launch is all about let me give you the scoop.  These are events held all over the world , and this is where Microsoft is communicating to the IT community all the great things that about the new Visual Studio, Window Server and SQL Server 2008 versions have to offer.    If you need more information about these events and want to find a launch near you check out this website: http://www.microsoft.com/heroeshappenhere/register/default.mspx This blog entry has nothing do with the new 2008 products, but has more to do with communicating my experience working the PASS booth at the Seattle “Heroes Happen Here” launch.  For those of you that don’t know about PASS, it stands for Professional Association for SQL Server.  It is a worldwide community dedicated to Microsoft SQL Server professionals.   PASS holds a summit in Europe and the United States once a year.   Each of these summit events brings together thousands of SQL Server professionals to discuss SQL Server issues, topics, and events.  These summit events are held over a number of days and provide some of the best training opportunities, from SQL Server gurus and normal SQL Server DBA/developer types like you.    The next summit will be held in Seattle on November 17-22 2008.  If you are interested in knowing more about PASS or signing up for the summit at a limited time reduced rate check out the PASS website here:  http://sqlpass.org Not only does PASS have two annual summits on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean but the PASS community also consists of over 80 local PASS user group chapters.  These local user groups are scattered all over the globe.  Each local user group is run a little different but they all have one thing in common, they hold routine local user group meetings to discuss SQL Server related topics.  These meetings typical have one or two SQL Server related presentations per meeting.  These local PASS chapter meetings are a great place to learn more about SQL Server and/or share your experience with other SQL Server types in your region of the world.  Ok, now back to may PASS booth experience at the Seattle launch.  While at the PASS booth hundreds of people stopped by asking what PASS was all about. This was not really surprising in itself because many people that use Visual Studio and/or Windows Server don’t all have SQL Server in their environment.    But what surprised me the most was the number of SQL Server individuals that never knew there was a PASS organization, much less that there were local PASS user group chapters right in their own backyard.   I’m a local PASS chapter leader in Olympia, Washington so working the PASS both allowed me a great opportunity tospread the word about my PASS local chapter, the PASS organization, as well as time to talk with developers and other DBAs about their SQL Server Experience.    If you are reading this post you probably have a vested interest in SQL Server and learning more about it.  Do you know the location of the closest PASS chapter user group is in your area?  These local PASS chapter groups are a great opportunity to network with other SQL Server geeks, and get some great training at the same time.  Did I mention that most of these user group opportunities are free.  So if you don’t already know where the nearest PASS chapter is in your part of the World then you should check out the “Chapters” link on the PASS website above.     If you’d like to know more about local PASS chapters, and can’t find out everything you need to know about it on the PASS website, drop me a note at gregalarsen@sqlpass.org .  I’ll do my best to answer your questions, and if I can’t answer them I’ll find someone that can.  Are you a member of PASS?  Do you belong to a local PASS chapter?  If not what is stopping you?  Join the PASS family now and start receiving great SQL Server training and information.   Happy PASS Networking, Greg Larsen, MCITP http://sqlserverexamples.com    Posted Apr 12 2008, 01:31 PM by Greg Larsen with no comments Filed under: SQL Server 2008, Heres Happen Here

• Performance Audit

  How many of you do a Performance Audit of your SQL Server instances? I’ll have to admit I have never done a formal performance audit of our SQL Server instances. But to give myself some credit, back in 2007 I identified a number of DBA goals for 2008, and one of those was to developing a criteria and method of doing a performance audit. I’m going to venture to guess that most of you also have never done a performance audit as well.  Today Brad McGehee, the Directory of DBA Education from Red-Gate software came to the Olympia Area SQL Server User group, which I chair, and talked about performance auditing.   His presentation was very well done and received by members of my user group.   Brad talked about all the different things that should be audited, and the tools you should use to perform an audit.   What I took away from Brads presentation is that a DBA needs to be proactive when it comes to SQL Server performance, they need to determine which performance measures are important for their environment, they need to develop a method to gather the actual value for each measurement, and lastly they need to periodically run their performance audit to determine if performance is decreasing, staying the same or getting better. Most of the information Brad talked about regarding a performance audit can be found in his articles that are published on this site.  You can also click HERE for the slide deck Brad used for his presentation. What do you see as the benefits to doing a performance audit? Know of any drawbacks?   What kinds of guidance do you have for performance auditing newbie’s?    Please share your performance auditing experiences however big or small with the SQL Server Performance community by placing a comment on this blog? May your performance audits be worthwhile, Greg Larsen, MCITP http://sqlserverexamples.com   Posted Apr 08 2008, 10:57 PM by Greg Larsen with no comments

• SQL Server 2008 Certifications

  Last week there was a forum post about getting certified for SQL Server.  The poster was asking about resources and how one should prepare for the MCDBA certification.  The MCDBA certification is a SQL Server 2000 certification.  At one point a number of years back it was the certification to have if you where a DBA, but now with SQL Server 2000 soon to be two versions back you probably should focus on one of SQL Server 2005 certifications, or wait for SQL Server 2008 certification to come out.  Certifications are a great way to get your foot in the door and show potential employers that you know something about the technology for whatever job you might be applying for.    Even having an old certification is better than having no certification at all.  So what should one do now if they want to get certified in SQL Server? If you really need a certification now to can get a new job, keep your existing job,  or get promoted in your present situation then you will want to go for either the MCITP:  Database Administrator, or the MCITP: Database Developer.  More information about these certifications can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbadmin/default.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbdev/default.mspx    Now if you decide you don’t need a SQL Server certification right now then you might want wait until the SQL Server 2008 certifications come out.  Right now it is my understanding the SQL Server 2008 exams are going through an Alpha review.  Once the Alpha review is completed Microsoft will be looking for beta testers for their SQL Server 2008 certification exams.  Beta tests are free.  Microsoft uses these beta test opportunities to further verify review whether the questions measure the objectives of the certification.  It is my understanding that if you pass the one of these Beta tests then Microsoft will provide you with a certificate.  I would encourage everyone to take the beta SQL Server 20008 exam when then come out.  What do you have to lose, a free test and a certification if you pass the test.  Here is a Livemeeting where you can find our more information about the SQL Server certifications: https://www107.livemeeting.com/cc/lmevents/view?id=msft020608lm&role=attend&pw=ATT10275529 If you want to be one of the first ones to know about the SQL Server 2008 exams will be available then register here:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/sqlvs/offer/default.mspx.  If you have any thoughts or comments about SQL Server certification then feel free to provide comments and feedback on my blog post. Happy Testing, Greg Larsen, MCITP http://sqlserverexamples.com   Posted Apr 07 2008, 10:11 PM by Greg Larsen with 2 comment(s) Filed under: SQL Server 2008, Certifications

• Is T-SQL Dead?

  On Tuesday I went to the SQL Server 2008 launch in Seattle.   Of course the launch was more than just SQL Server 2008, it also included Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008.  So there was a lot of BUZZ about 2008 stuff going on.   I attended one of the presentations on Visual Studio 2008 that was talking about LINQ.  LINQ stands for Language Integrated Query. In this presentation they talked about how programmers can now get SQL Data into a object model using something called “LINQ to SQL”.   So I browsed the web for LINQ to SQL document and here is a blurb from a Microsoft document :    “In LINQ to SQL, the data model of a relational database is mapped to an object model expressed in the programming language of the developer.”   Now by looking at this statement I get the impression that Microsoft thinks developers don’t use T-SQL as a programming language.  So I wonder if LINQ will be the end of T-SQL code.    I don’t think so!  In fact I’m hoping our organization doesn’t start hiring a bunch of developers that don’t know T-SQL.  I think there is value in leveraging new technology, but I think developers better understand what is behind the smoke and mirrors of LINQ.  Meaning I think developers better understand T-SQL and how it is used to support converting SQL Server data into an object model.    I think developers better understand T-SQL. Without this understanding I fear we are going to get a bunch of poor performing database applications using these new SQL Server access methods!  Am I wrong in thinking this?  Please provide your thoughts by commenting on how you think LINQ will affect SQL Server database performance.  If you want to read more in the document I referred to above you can find it here: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb386976.aspx   Greg Larsen, MCITP http://sqlserverexamples.com Posted Apr 03 2008, 11:31 PM by Greg Larsen with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Visual Studio 2008, LINQ