Optimizing Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services: MDX Optimization Techniques: Optimizing the CROSSJOIN() Function

Figure 1: A Sample Set of Databases Displayed within Analysis Manager

4. Expand the FoodMart 2000 database.

5. Expand the Cubes folder.

The sample cubes appear, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: The Sample Cubes in the FoodMart 2000 Database

NOTE: Your local databases / cube tree will differ, depending upon the activities you have performed since the installation of MSAS (and the simultaneous creation of the original set of sample cubes). Should you want or need to restore the cubes to their original state, simply restore the database under consideration. For instructions, see the MSSQL Server 2000 Books Online.

6. Right-click on the Warehouse sample cube.

Again, we are making a copy of the Warehouse cube to isolate it. Our lesson will involve the execution of demanding queries upon the cube we use within the practice example. Our intention is to work with an isolated cube to leave the original fully available to other users.

7. Select Copy from the context menu that appears.
 

8. Right-click on the Cubes folder.
 

9. Select Paste from the context menu that appears.

The Duplicate Name dialog appears.

As noted in previous articles, we cannot have two cubes of the same name in a given MSAS database.

10. Type the following into the Name box of the Duplicate Name dialog:

SSP014_OPT_CROSSJOIN

The Duplicate Name dialog appears, with our modification, as depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3: The Duplicate Name Dialog, with New Name

TIP: As I have mentioned elsewhere in this and other series, the foregoing is also an excellent way of renaming a cube (a “rename” capability is not available here, as it is in many Windows applications). Simply create a duplicate, give it the name to which you wish to rename the old cube, and then delete the old cube, as appropriate. This also works for MSAS databases, dimensions and other objects.

11. Click OK to apply the name change, and create the cube.

The new cube, SSP014_OPT_CROSSJOIN, appears in the cube tree, among those already in place. We now have a copy of the Warehouse cube, within which we can perform the steps of our practice exercise. Let’s process the new cube to “register” it with Analysis Services, and to reach the “processed” state required for querying.