Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit
by Various Authors
Copyright 2001
Microsoft Press

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The SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit is an eclectic collection of in-depth information on SQL Server 2000, and most likely it has something of interest for you. At 1,159 pages, it is not a book you will want to sit down and read for fun. But it contains much valuable information on SQL Server 2000 that you may not be able to find anywhere else.

Unlike most books on SQL Server, the SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit is not designed to be read from beginning to end. It is not a tutorial, and it is not designed to teach you how to be a SQL Server DBA. The best way to describe it is that it is a collection of advanced SQL Server information targeted toward experienced DBAs who are looking for very specific information on very specific topics. Most DBAs will only want to read those sections that are of direct interest. Some of these sections include:

• Introducing the SQL Server 2000 Resource Kit

• New Features in SQL Server 2000

• Choosing an Edition of SQL Server 2000

• Choosing How to License SQL Server

• Migrating Access 2000 Databases to SQL Server 2000

• Migrating Sybase Databases to SQL Server 2000

• Migrating Oracle Databases to SQL Server 2000

• Managing Database Change

• Storage Engine Enhancements

• Implementing Security

• Using BLOBs

• Failover Clustering

• Log Shipping

• Data Center Availability: Facilities, Staffing, and Operations

• High Availability Options

• Five Nines: The Ultimate in High Availability

• Data Warehousing Design Considerations

• Using Partitions in a SQL Server 2000 Data Warehouse

• Data Extraction, Transformation, and Loading Techniques

• RDBMS Performance Tuning Guide for Data Warehousing

• Monitoring the DTS Multiphase Data Pump in Visual Basic

• Cubes in the Real World

• Business Case Solutions Using MDX

• Effective Strategies for Data Mining

• Getting Data to the Client

• Performance Tuning Analysis Services

• Creating an Interactive Digital Dashboard

• A Digital Dashboard Browser for Analysis Services Meta Data

• Common Questions in Replication

• Creating Merge Replication Custom Conflict Resolvers Using Visual Basic

• Exposing SQL Server Data to the Web with XML

• English Query Best Practices

• The Data Tier: An Approach to Database Optimization

• Identifying Common Administrative Issues

• Using Visual Basic to Remotely Manage SQL Server 2000

• Using Views with a View on Performance

• Extending Triggers wit INSTEAD OF

• Scaling Out on SQL Server

This Resource Kit comes with two CDs. One is a 120-day evaluation copy of SQL Server 2000, and the other is a collection of utilities and other files that you might find useful, such as the entire text of the Resource Kit in Help format. Some of the other goodies on the CD include:

• SQL Server 2000 System Table Map

•  Tool to Migrate Access 2000 to SQL Server 2000

• Stored Procedures to SQL Server 2000 Configurations Outside of Recommended Parameters

• Analysis Services Thin Web Client

• BLOB Demonstration

• Catalog Explorer, A Tool to Retrieve Meta Data From OLAP Objects

• Database Hammer, A Tool to Test Databases Under Various Performance Loads

• Data Mining Visual Tool Kit

• Database Generator, Used to Populate Tables with Sample Data

• Tools and Samples for Administrating SQL Server from Web Pages

• Digital Dashboard that Displays Data From a Database

• Federated Tool Kit Samples

• Meta Data Dashboard, Displays Analysis Services Meta Data

• Meta Data Scripter, Scripts Meta Data Objects

• Multiphase Data Pump Monitor

• Desktop SQL Server Configuration Tool, Allows Access 2000 to manage SQL Server

• Sample Northwind Cube

• OLE Database Data Mining Query

• Tool to Process Analysis Services Cubes and Partitions in Parallel

• Partition Manager, Manages Analysis Services Cube Partitions

• Sample Resolver, Demonstrates How an Application Can be Used Against a Specific Event Called by SQL Server

• Schema Rowset Explorer, Used to Retrieve Analysis Services Schema Rowsets and Meta Data

• Set Certificate, Used to Specify Which Security Certificate SQL Server Will Use for Encryption

• Simple Log Shipper, For Use If You Don't Have the Enterprise Version of SQL Server

• SQL DMO Demonstration Objects

• Stored Procedure Builder

• Transact-SQL Quick Reference

• UDF MixCase, Used to Convert Strings to Title Case

• USP Shutdown Database, Used to Terminate All Open User Connections for a Specific Database

I recommend this book for all SQL Server DBAs. While it won't be a book you use every day, it does contain valuable content (and tools) that most every DBA will find useful. If you can't afford to buy it yourself, get your company to pay for it. The cost will be more than made up by the benefits you receive from the book.