The Premiers

Performance Dashboard Reports for SQL Server 2008

ThePremiers — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:25:00 GMT

Recently, I learned from a colleague that it's possible to run the SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard reports on SQL Server 2008, with a couple of slight modifications. There is a great new feature in SQL Server 2008 called Performance Data Collection, which I have blogged about in the past, and this is excellent for tracking SQL Server performance over time across your 2008 estate. There is also the excellent revamped Activity Monitor in SQL 2008. However, if you want to continue to use the Performance Dashboard reports, which many DBA's have found invaluable, they are not supported in SQL Server 2008.

To learn how to configure these reports to run on SQL Server 2008, click here for more information.

Regards,

Rob Carrol, SQL Server PFE, Microsoft UK

SQL Server 2005 Books Online - Make sure you've got the December 2008 version

ThePremiers — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:56:00 GMT

SQL Server 2005 Books Online (December 2008)

https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=be6a2c5d-00df-4220-b133-29c1e0b6585f&displaylang=en

Download an updated version of Books Online for Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Books Online is the primary documentation for SQL Server 2005. The December 2008 update to Books Online contains new material and fixes to documentation problems reported by customers after SQL Server 2005 was released. Refer to "New and Updated Books Online Topics" for a list of topics that are new or updated in this version. Topics with significant updates have a Change History table at the bottom of the topic that summarizes the changes. Beginning with the December 2008 update, SQL Server 2005 Books Online includes documentation updates for the SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (SP3) release.

Books Online includes the following types of information:

Setup and upgrade instructions.
Information about new features and backward compatibility.
Conceptual descriptions of the technologies and features in SQL Server 2005.
Procedural topics describing how to use the various features in SQL Server 2005.
Tutorials that guide you through common tasks.
Reference documentation for the graphical tools, command prompt utilities, programming languages, and application programming interfaces (APIs) that are supported by SQL Server 2005.
Descriptions of the sample databases and applications included with SQL Server 2005.

Itay Braun Senior Premier Field Engineer - SQL Server and BI Microsoft Services - UKE-Mail: itayb@microsoft.com Mobile: +44-796-928-9996 Blog: http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/thepremiers/Veni Vidi Fixit

Microsoft Busniess Intelligence Surface Demo

ThePremiers — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:42:00 GMT

Hi,

6 Minutes and 33 seconds of magnificent BI Application Roadmap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAbtc_PZOjs

SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 is ready for download!!

ThePremiers — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:39:00 GMT

Microsoft SQL Server Service pack 3 (SP3) can be downloaded at :http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ae7387c3-348c-4faa-8ae5-949fdfbe59c4&displaylang=en

List of the bugs that are fixed in SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=955706

SQL Server 2005 SP3 contains the hotfixes that were included in cumulative update packages for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 from cumulative update package 1 to cumulative update package 9. For more information about the cumulative update packages for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

937137 - (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937137/ ) The SQL Server 2005 builds that were released after SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 was released

Note If you are upgrading from SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Update 10 or from SQL Server 2005 SP2 Cumulative Update 11, you must apply a post-SP3 cumulative update after you upgrade to SP3 to obtain all the fixes. For more information about the post-SP3 cumulative update, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

960828 - (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960828/ ) Cumulative update package 1 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005 - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913089/

BTW, SQL Server 2005 BOL has been updated recently for Dec '08 - here :

SQL Server 2005 Books Online (December 2008) - https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=be6a2c5d-00df-4220-b133-29c1e0b6585f&displaylang=en

Cheers,

Scottish Area SQL Server User Group

ThePremiers — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:18:00 GMT

I'm happy to announce that the next Scottish SQL Server User Group will be hosted at Microsoft Edinburgh on the evening of the 13th November. Full details of the agenda and how to register can be found on the UK SQL Server User Group site here:

http://sqlserverfaq.com/events/144/Scottish-Area-SQL-Server-User-Group-Jammin-SQL-Server-2008.aspx

The theme of the meeting is "Jammin' with SQL Server 2008", so I'm looking forward to some freestyle SQL Server 2008 demos and discussions !

Free technical events available for customers & partners in October, November and December

ThePremiers — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:22:00 GMT

Microsoft

21 October 2008, Reading: Understanding Microsoft's Server Product Licensing in a Virtual Environment

22 October 2008, Bristol: Taking Care of Business Every Day with Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008

22 October 2008, Bradford: TechNet: Security Improvements with Windows Server 2008 and Bitlocker

23 October 2008, Exeter: TechNet: SQL Server - Under New Management

29 October 2008, London: Recipient management, policies and permissions in Exchange Server 2007

29 October 2008, London: Taking Care of Business Every day with Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008

7 November 2008, Reading: TechNet Exclusive! Hear from the Guy who Brought you Microsoft Enterprise Computing for Small and Medium Businesses

17 November 2008, London: Microsoft “After hours” – the sequel

18 November, London: Virtual Earth: Use mapping for user experience to delight your customers

Microsoft Online – MCS Presents
29 October 2008, Online: TechNet Presents: MCS Talks Enterprise Architecture Session 7 - Configuration Management

12^th November, Online: TechNet Presents: MCS Talks Enterprise Architecture Session 8 -Operations Management
26^th November, Online: TechNet Presents: MCS Talks Enterprise Architecture Session 9 –Sharepoint as the strategic platform for the enterprise
10^th December, Online: TechNet Presents: MCS Talks Enterprise Architecture Session 10-Application Virtualization

Cumulative update package 9 for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2

ThePremiers — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:33:00 GMT

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 hotfixes are created for specific SQL Server service packs. You must apply a SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 hotfix to an installation of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2. By default, any hotfix that is provided in a SQL Server service pack is included in the next SQL Server service pack.

Cumulative Update 9 contains hotfixes for SQL Server 2005 issues that have been fixed since the release of Service Pack 2.

Note This build of the cumulative update package is also known as build 3282.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953752/en-us

Itay Braun Premier Field Engineer - SQL Server and BI Microsoft Services - UKE-Mail: itayb@microsoft.com Mobile: +44-796-928-9996 Blog: http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/thepremiers/Veni Vidi Fixit

New TechNet Events: Register Now

ThePremiers — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:47:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce a new series of TechNet experts. These are delivered by Microsoft technical professionals and deliver level 200 technical "how to" information for IT professionals. They are free to attend.

Virtualisation and Management Technologies
21 August 2008, Liverpool: Microsoft Virtualisation and Management Technologies
9 September 2008, Reading: Microsoft Virtualisation and Management Technologies

11 September 2008, Edinburgh: Microsoft Management and Virtualisation Technologies

SQL Server 2008
10 September 2008, Reading: SQL Server 2008 Unleashed
7 October 2008. Manchester: TechNet: SQL Server - Under New Management

23 October 2008, Exeter: TechNet: SQL Server - Under New Management

A bit of Fun

10 September 2008, London: Microsoft "After Hours" - The Sequel

Exchange Server 2007

29 October 2008, London: Recipient management, policies and permissions in Exchange Server 2007

Licensing
2 October 2008, Reading: An Introduction and overview of Microsoft Licensing

21 October 2008, Reading: Understanding Microsoft's Server Product Licensing in a Virtual Environment

Windows Powershell

14 October 2008, Birmingham: TechNet: Windows PowerShell: Around the Data Centre in 80 Scripts

Unified Communications
2 September 2008, Reading : TechNet: the Microsoft Vision for Unified Communications

Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008

22 October 2008, Bristol: Taking Care of Business Every day with Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008

29 October 2008, London: Taking Care of Business Every day with Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008

Windows Server 2008

16 October 2008, Edinburgh: Windows Server 2008 - What's New and Exciting

European Event

3-7 November 2008, Barcelona: TechED EMEA IT Professionals

Analysis Services Useful Links

ThePremiers — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:11:00 GMT

In the attached document I listed:· Analysis Services 2005 Tools· Analysis Services 2005 White Paper· List of recommended books· List of some relevant SQL Server 2005 Tools Any comment is much appreciated

Enjoy.

Useful Reporting Services Links (good kickstart with the product)

ThePremiers — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:22:00 GMT

Reporting Services 2005 useful Links

Written By:

Itay Braun Premier Field Engineer - SQL Server and BI Microsoft Services - UKE-Mail: itayb@microsoft.com Mobile: +44-796-928-9996 Blog: http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/thepremiers/

Veni Vidi Fixit

Administration

Administering a Report Server Database

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa972237.aspx

Querying and Reporting on Report Execution Log Data

Reporting Services stores execution data across several tables in the report server database. Because the internal table structure does not present report execution log data in a format that is accessible to users, you should extract the log data and store it in a separate local report execution log database.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms155836.aspx

Reporting Services Log Files

A report server uses a variety of log files to record information about server operations and status.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms157403.aspx

Configuring Reporting Services for Scale-Out Deploymenthttp://sqlcat.com/technicalnotes/archive/2008/06/05/reporting-services-scale-out-architecture.aspx

Webcasts

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 1 of 6) (Level 200)

This six-part series presents a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services for developers. This series is heavy on demos and coding, and light on Microsoft Office PowerPoint. No previous knowledge of Reporting Services is required. In the first webcast, we provide an overview of Reporting Services.

We start by using the wizard to build a simple report. Then we learn about the design tools in the SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio. Additionally, we learn about report delivery options, including URL access, the Web service, and the Report Builder.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032282905&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 2 of 6) (Level 200)

This second webcast looks in depth at techniques for delivering canned reports to end users, including URL access, subscriptions, and the Web service. These provide both a push model of report delivery, where a report is automatically delivered, and a pull model, where a user gets a report on an as-needed basis.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032283016&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 3 of 6) (Level 200)

This third webcast focuses on the Report Builder, a tool for ad hoc reporting. We start by examining the Report Builder Client, the tool that helps end users to create ad hoc reports. Next, we learn about the Report Builder Model Designer, a developer tool that allows creation of the business model that represents the underlying data structure.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032283022&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 4 of 6) (Level 200)

In this fourth webcast, we examine some more advanced ideas surrounding report design. Learn how to create tabular reports, matrix reports, linked reports, charts, and sub-reports. This webcast also includes reports that use cascading parameters and dynamic SQL queries.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032283046&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 5 of 6) (Level 200)This six-part series presents a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services for developers. The fourth webcast in this series delved deeper into advanced reporting designs. This fifth webcast focuses on SQL Server Reporting Services extensibility. We demonstrate a custom data source for SQL Server Reporting Services that reads data that is not accessible through SQL queries. We also demonstrate techniques for including custom code in reports.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032283054&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Part 6 of 6) (Level 200)

This six-part series presents a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services for developers.

http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032283061&EventCategory=5&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US

More webcasts:· MSDN Webcast: End-User Ad Hoc Reporting with SSRS (Level 300)· MSDN Webcast: Integrating Windows SharePoint Services with SQL Server Reporting Services (Level 200)· MSDN Webcast: Intelligent Reporting: Using the Visual Studio 2005 Report Viewer Controls (Level 200)

Virtual Labs:

Last Update 2008-07-02. Check here http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/virtuallabs/aa740409.aspx

for the complete list of labs

· MSDN Virtual Lab: Business Intelligence Reporting Services · MSDN Virtual Lab: Building Integrated Business Intelligence Solutions Leveraging SQL Server 2005 and SharePoint Server 2007 · MSDN Virtual Lab: Business Intelligence- Using Business Scorecard Manager 2005 and ProClarity for Performance Management · MSDN Virtual Lab: Business Intelligence- Report Builder · MSDN Virtual Lab: Business Intelligence- Integration Services · MSDN Virtual Lab: SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services · MSDN Virtual Lab: SQL Server 2005 Report Builder · MSDN Virtual Lab: SQL Server 2005 Report Viewer Controls