Latest SQL Server Weekly Show Posted
Check out SelectViews – the weekly SQL Server program from SSWUG.org. In this week’s show, you’ll find: IT vs. Management and Big Ideas, a SQL Server Challenge. Using Variables with SPs, Upcoming Events, Tips and Tricks and Much More. The show is a bit longer this week because we’re testing two segments. A SQL Server challenge that we’ll be including from time to time (and we’ll have solutions in follow-on shows) and a product watch segment. Don’t forget too – you can use the segment selector to move around the show. Each show also includes a MiniCast – with specific demonstration and how-to information.
> Watch the show here.
Featured Article(s)
How to Choose the Best Connectors for SSIS
With the release of SQL Server 2005, Microsoft has targeted the ETL software segment by introducing SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS). While its roots can be traced back to the SQL Server Data Transformation Services (DTS) utility, SSIS is its own application, offering benefits such as integration with Microsoft’s Visual Studio development environment, enterprise-level ETL functionality, and a greater focus on performance (through support of 64-bit architecture). Despite these benefits, many users have been frustrated in their attempts to execute SSIS packages that connect to relational databases besides SQL Server. This is especially true when attempting to execute SSIS packages in 64-bit mode. SSIS-ready connectors for non-SQL Server relational databases do exist but few know what features to look for when choosing a solution that will guarantee the most SSIS functionality at the best possible performance. Here are some tips to consider when selecting a connector for use with SSIS packages to access relational databases such as Sybase, Oracle, and DB2.
Ongoing Maintenance Feedback
Send in your feedback – what do you do for ongoing maintenance? Do you use the maintenance plans, or roll your own or a combination?
Herb: "I have several scripts scheduled at various times to gather info during the day, which at the end of each day determines (some of the items):
1. connections at 5-minute increments (high point determined at the end of each day)
2. queries ran for each day
3. average wait with the longest wait period
4. highest number of locks
5. number of checkpoints over 2 seconds and when they occurred
6. number of rollbacks
7. disk usage beginning of each day and what it was at the end
8. number of tables and their row counts at the beginning of each day and what they were at the end
9. type of backup taken and the duration
10. overflows – types and counts
Roll-ups are produced at the end of each day, each week, each month and each year. Along the way, monthly comparison reports show how well or not so well things have been going. At year-end, the previous year’s and the current year’s data are compared. The results are the weapons for justifying the number of licenses needed, the need for more storage, increased horsepower, and most importantly the need for our positions within the IT Department (and salary increases).
Holidays provide the time to do full scale DB integrity checks, reconstruction of indexes and tables, table partition maintenance and disaster recovery (if time permits)."
Featured White Paper(s)
Crystal Reports XI End-to-End Overview
Crystal Reports XI End-to-End Overview Looking for more detailed information about Crystal Reports XI? This whitepaper is f… (read more)
Microsoft T-SQL Performance Tuning Part 1: Analyzing and Optimizing T-SQL Query Performance on Microsoft SQL Server using SET and DBCC
This white paper, authored by SQL Server expert Kevin Kline, discusses the basics of indexes, such as density and selectivity… (read more)
Crystal Reports Feature Comparison by Edition
This handy whitepaper lets you compare features of Crystal reports at a glance. Check out the various features and determine… (read more)