Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:37:06 EDT
Manage traces in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services with XMLA commands
SQL Profiler is an efficient tool for tuning and troubleshooting Microsoft Analysis Services 2005, that is, unless you're managing numerous instances. In this tip, you'll learn how to use XMLA to automate tracing to monitor MSAS. Here's what you need to know to create, alter and delete traces with ease.

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:27:49 EDT
SQL Server high availability when upgrading to SQL Server 2005
The pursuit of minimal downtime is complex when upgrading an Active/Active cluster to SQL Server 2005/Windows Server 2003. In part three of this series, SQL Server expert Matthew Schroeder outlines the stages for migrating a database to a transition server, and then the new source system. Areas covered in this tip include configuring logins, assigning permissions, transferring SQL Server jobs.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:11:02 EDT
Creating SQL Server tables and columns: Quick tips to know
Performance of a SQL Server table can depend on how you've defined data types, indexes, partitions and other components. Use this best practices guide when creating tables and columns for large databases.

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:47:25 EDT
Secure SQL Server from SQL injection attacks
Did you know that any Web application using dynamic SQL is at risk for a SQL injection attack? It's one of the most common security risks for Internet-facing SQL Server databases. In this tip, you'll learn how SQL injection works and get precise steps to protect against attacks.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:32:30 EDT
Tutorial: Migrating to SANs from local SQL Server disk storage
Making the leap to storage area networks (SANs) will ultimately improve performance in your SQL Server environment. Although SAN admins share responsibility, SQL DBAs must be involved from SAN setup through maintenance. These tips, webcast and podcast equip you with everything you need to know about SANs, from concept to implementation. You'll get expert advice for migrating to and configuring SANs, along with specific advice such as setting up SANs on a cluster and how to use SAN snapshots.

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:41:36 EDT
SQL Server 2008 security and compliance features reduce security risks
How far did Microsoft go to amp up its newest version of SQL Server? IT security specialist Kevin Beaver examines new features – specific and nonspecific to database security – and how they reduce security risks. Learn about schema-based permissions capabilities, data encryption at the file level and the new Declarative Management framework.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:53:19 EDT
How to restore SQL Server database to transition server during upgrade
Part 2 of this series of articles describing a case history of a database upgrade from a Windows Server 2000/SQL Server 2000 Active/Active cluster focuses on using a transitional server. SQL Server expert Matthew Schroeder walks you through the conversion process that points applications at a transition server that will run the applications while the primary cluster is rebuilt to Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:30:12 EDT
Create a computed column in SQL Server using XML data
In a SQL Server database, computed columns are useful when you want to persist data that is otherwise stored in a table as individual values. Instead of calculating the difference between two columns each time you run a query, store the data in a third column, which automatically calculates the difference. In this tip, SQL Server expert Robert Sheldon demonstrates how to create a function that runs the XQuery expression and then use that function within your computed column definition.

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:38:07 EDT
Create DDL table in SQL Server 2005 to audit DDL trigger activity
Each time DDL statements in SQL Server 2005 make changes with commands, such as CREATE TABLE and ALTER, the DDL trigger fires an event. It's possible to log these events with an audit table and custom-made DDL trigger. In this tip, SQL Server expert Robert Sheldon walks you through designing the audit table, defining the DDL trigger and then testing the auditing solution.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:08:36 EDT
SQL Server memory configurations for procedure cache and buffer cache
To determine how much memory your SQL Server database uses for buffer cache and procedure cache, factor in the SQL version you're using, whether it's x86, x64 or Itanium and the amount of memory allocated to the SQL Server instance. SQL Server expert Denny Cherry lays out how the system configures memory and how to allocate the amount of buffer and procedure cache that's available.