SQL Server Manageability Team Blog

Where is SAC tool?

2008-03-01T02:55:00Z

Surface Area Configuration (SAC) tool will be removed in SQL 2008 release. This tool exposed two major functionalities. Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections Surface Area Configuration for Features A. In SQL 2008, starting CTP5 release, the functionality of Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections can now be performed using SQL CM. SQL Configuration Manager (SQL CM) will be the GUI tool to (Video to demo this will be here soon.) Configure Remote access for Database...(read more)

Some nodes in OE do not have "Policies" context menu - But I need them to author policies !

2008-03-01T02:50:00Z

I am assuming most of you must be familiar with jargons Facets, conditions and polices by now, if you are hands-on over policy-based management framework. If you traverse to the facets node under Management->Policy Management in Object explorer you will see bunch of facets listed there. For eg. Let us pick Database Facet. This facet will give you the luxury and the power to author policies against Database entities on the server. However, there are some of the entities on server like ServerRole,...(read more)

Uploaded Demo Scripts for TechNet Webcast - Using the New Policy-Based Management Framework in SQL Server 2008

2008-02-26T03:26:00Z

Thanks for those who have attended this presentation. I have attached the demo policies and the demo script as promised. Note that the policy files only work for SQL Server 2008 CTP6 and above. Cheers, Hongfei...(read more)

The Wizard's Wand to Partitioning! Creating Staging Tables - adroitly simple

2008-02-22T10:43:00Z

Making a superb coffee wending machine is great and we can write volumes on how to use it. Trust me, it wouldnt appeal if you dont quickly write about any feature of the machine that solves a day to day problem for a coffee drinker / Seller. This is exactly what this write up on the wizard is about. Creation of staging table is about dealing with lots of TSQL. The complexity of creating a staging table is linearly , or sometimes exponentially proportional to the complexity of the parent table. This...(read more)

The Wizard's Wand to Partitioning! Series Prelude

2008-02-21T10:14:00Z

Hello Everybody! Its a pleasure to start blogging on this wonderful sunny morning at Seattle when the morning mist says good bye and the sun is happy to shine right above us. Everyone is smiling as the weather just turned from wet to pleasant. This is the exact feeling one will get when they see the partitioning wizard in SQL Server 2008 Management studio. Understanding to partition a table based on certain business requirement has always been a tough thing. Just when the business decision has been...(read more)

Webcast - SQL Server 2008 Policy-Based Management (formerly known as DMF)

2008-02-18T20:31:00Z

What is Policy-Based Management? How does it make SQL Server administration easier? What are the main components? What is the technology behind it? Join my webcast presentation (300 level) to learn this feature inside out with tons of demos. Don’t miss the opportunity of live Q&A with the experts. Attendee Registration URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032360210&Culture=en-US Cheers, Hongfei Hongfei Guo PhD | Program Manager | SQL Server Manageability Team |...(read more)

Multiple Server Query Execution in SQL Server 2008

2008-02-05T01:16:00Z

SQL Server 2008 SSMS introduces a new feature, Multiple Server Query Execution, in Query Editor. This feature intends to increase the productivity of running same query against multiple servers at once. Some of useage include: · Configure group of servers or server farm · Generate report or document from multiple servers · Analyze result from multiple servers · or Run any sql query against multiple servers Pre-requisite To deploy or test Multiple Server Query Execution, you need to setup SSMS in...(read more)

Ken Henderson – We Will Always Remember You

2008-01-29T02:46:00Z

We are mourning the loss of Ken Henderson who passed away this Sunday evening. We don’t know any details at this time, but we will let the community know as we learn more. It was great being around Ken and feeling his passion and learning from him over the years. We will miss him. Bill Ramos and the SQL Manageability Team...(read more)

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (January 2008) -- Now Available!

2008-01-19T00:39:05Z

It's a new year and, with it, we come bearing gifts! We have a pretty significant update to SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer . It contains many new and updated rules for Analysis Services, a few important rules for the Relational Engine, a couple bug fixes for the UI and command line tools. And all of these rules have rich documentation telling you what need to know. Here is the official announcement: http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlcat/archive/2008/01/18/sql-server-2005-best-practices-analyzer-january-2008-now-available.aspx...(read more)

Performance Data Collector for SQL Server 2008 - Revealed

2008-01-18T07:37:00Z

I’ve been getting many requests on what is this new Performance Data Collector tool and how does it work. First off, Performance Data Collector is simply a component as one of the tools in Management Studio (SSMS) involved in performance troubleshooting. These tools include the new Data Collector, System Collection Sets, the Management Data Warehouse, and historical reports for the collection sets. It also includes the ever popular tools like Profiler, DTA, Graphical Showplan, Activity Monitor, Client...(read more)

November CTP News: Workaround fix for query execution issue

2008-01-15T20:03:00Z

SQL Server 2008 November CTP (CTP5) has a known issue that any query execution hangs indefinitely. Fortunately, there is a quick and simple workaround to fix the issue. Cause & Problem: User changes the default setup directory to a custom one during the initial setup. Query Editor hangs indefinitely when user execute any query, even a simple query such as SELECT 1. Workaround Solution: In November CTP, there is a setup issue in SQL Compact Edition (SQLCE) that incorrectly handles the setup directory...(read more)

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer (July 2007) is available

2007-07-04T22:14:00Z

This week we celebrate independence. No, I'm not referring to Independence Day in the United States. I'm announcing the official release of SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer as an independently serviceable tool. What do I mean by independently serviceable? ......(read more)

Reducing Database Size by Using Vardecimal Storage Format

2007-05-29T22:36:00Z

In addition to the improvements to the management tools in Service Pack 2 that I've outlined on this blog, the engine team has introduced the VarDecimal storage format. They have just published a whitepaper on how to reduce your database size. Check it out: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb508963.aspx . Paul A. Mestemaker II Program Manager Microsoft SQL Server Manageability...(read more)

How do you like to learn? or SQL Server Agent Proxy Accounts

2007-04-11T00:29:00Z

One of my favorite parts of my job as a Program Manager is evangelizing our products. I love teaching people how to be more effective by introducing them to new features or tying many existing features together in an end-to-end scenario. I like to learn about technology and I'd imagine that the majority of my readers are also technology enthusiasts by profession. The problem I have now is that I do not have enough time in the day to learn about everything that could be cool and figure out how it could be useful. I recently watched a video by Brian Knight from JumpStart TV on SQL Server Agent Proxy Accounts. I thought it was a great way to quickly learn about one piece of SQL Server Agent without reading lots of documentation. To reach the broadest audience most effectively, I'm considering putting together short videos like the folks at JumpStart TV to give you an overview of how to use our features. My questions to you are......(read more)

SQL Connections 2007 (Orlando, FL) -- Follow-up

2007-03-29T03:24:00Z

After one heck of a trip to Orlando, FL for SQL Connections, I'm back in Redmond. Here is a quick re-cap of my sessions and links to session content......(read more)