Beginning Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administration

This book teaches both novice and experienced database administrators how to leverage all of the features of SQL Server to deliver solid, reliable performance. All features and techniques are illustrated with real-world examples and step-by-step instructions.

After a quick overview of SQL Server management tools and database components, you'll walk through system installation and configuration, configuring and managing network communications, and automating administration tasks. You'll gain insight into business continuity strategies, performance monitoring, and optimization. The authors also cover the complete suite of Business Intelligence tools, including SQL Server Integration Services, Reporting Services, Analysis Services, and Service Broker.

With this book, you'll develop the skills required to successfully administer a SQL Server 2008 database, regardless of your experience level.

What you will learn from this book

• How to install, maintain, and manage a SQL Server 2008 implementation, and automate administrative tasks
• How to monitor performance using various tools and techniques
• Strategies for optimizing your database
• Ways to ensure high availability
• How to begin using SQL Server as a BI platform
• How to configure and use BI components, including SQL Server Reporting Services
• How the Service Broker is used

Who this book is for

This book is for beginning to intermediate SQL Server database administrators who want to learn about managing a SQL Server environment.

About the Authors

Chris Leiter (Auburn, WA) is a Senior Consultant for Hitachi Consulting. His primary focus is Microsoft's Business Intelligence and Performance Management products. Chris has been a Microsoft Certified Professional since 1997 and a Microsoft Certified Trainer since 2001. He currently holds the MCSE: Security, MCITP: Database Administrator, and ITIL: Foundation certifications. Chris is also co]author of Beginning SQL Server 2005 Administration by Dan Wood, Chris Leiter, and Paul Turley from Wrox Press 2006. Chris contributed Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

Dan Wood (Silverdale, WA) is the senior database administrator for Avalara, a sales tax compliance company where he both administers and develops database solutions for several enterprise applications that handle global address validation, tax rate calculation, and sales tax remittance for e]commerce and ERP clients. He has been working with SQL Server as a DBA, consultant, and trainer since 1999. Dan was a co]author on Beginning Transact]SQL with SQL Server 2000 and 2005 by Paul Turley and Dan Wood (2005) and Beginning T]SQL with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008 by Paul Turley and Dan Wood (2008) and the lead author of Beginning SQL Server 2005 Administration, all from WROX press. Dan contributed Chapters 4 and 9.

Albert Boettger (Federal Way, WA) is the Senior Software Engineer and Database Administrator for Sagem Morpho, Inc. Albert has more than 20 years of experience as a solution developer, database architect, and software engineer. Albert contributed Chapters 10 and 11.

Michael Cierkowski (Maple Valley, WA) currently works as an instructor for Netdesk Corporation, with a primary focus on SQL Server Administration. Michael has been a Microsoft Certified Professional and Trainer since 2000. He currently holds his MCSD, MCDBA, MCAD, MCSA, MCPD: (Windows, Web, and Enterprise), and MCITP: (Database Administrator, Database Developer, BI Developer, Server Administrator, and Enterprise Administrator). Michael contributed Chapters 5, 14, and 18.