Nr: 107
SQLSaturday #107 - Houston 2012
SessionID: 10342
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Benjamin Nevarez
Abstract:
SessionID: 10344
Inside the SQL Server Query Optimizer
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Benjamin Nevarez
Title: Inside the SQL Server Query Optimizer
Abstract:
SessionID: 11449
Strategies for Working with VLDBs
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Robert Davis
Title: Strategies for Working with VLDBs
Abstract:
Very large databases (VLDBs) are just like regular databases, right? There's just more of them to love.
Working with very large databases can be difficult and tricky at times. Everything takes longer and minor issues become major very quickly.
In this session you will learn some strategies for working with VLDBs such as how to speed up backups and restores, how to minimize your maintenance window requirements, and how to efficiently and quickly set up failover partners and replicas.
Demos will include how I set up a log shipping secondary and a replica of a 2 TB database in less than half an hour.
SessionID: 11450
Replication Magic: Initializing From Backups
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Robert Davis
Title: Replication Magic: Initializing From Backups
Abstract:
If you work with very large databases (VLDBs) that must be replicated, you should be using initialization from backup. There are a some misconceptions the have caused DBAs to assume that they could not use initialization from backup. In this session I will explore those misconceptions and prove that they are incorrect.
Demos will include initializing a subscriber from a transaction log backup and performing a partial restore of a database and initializing the subscriber from the partial backup.
SessionID: 11603
SQL Server Internals: It's What's for Dinner!
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Christina Leo
Title: SQL Server Internals: It's What's for Dinner!
Abstract:
Ever wondered what happens under the hood when you query your SQL Server database? Well, it’s somewhat like asking for a special meal for dinner. During this session, I will use a cooking analogy to describe the life cycle of a query and the journey it takes through SQL Server’s working parts. By comparing the concepts of SQL Internals to a familiar idea, you will have a clear understanding of the underlying processes involved in returning data from a SELECT query. Once we’ve established a frame of reference for a simple read operation, we’ll look at an UPDATE statement and consider the additional factors associated with a write operation. By session's end you should have a clear overview of what happens when a query hits your server.
SessionID: 11845
Introduction to Triggers
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Jack Corbett
Title: Introduction to Triggers
Abstract:
SessionID: 12442
Data Warehousing - How to Convince "The Bobs"
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: David Stein
Title: Data Warehousing - How to Convince "The Bobs"
Abstract:
Building your first Data Warehouse is a long, and often difficult process. How can you get your boss to approve a Data Warehouse project? What’s the best way to explain dimensional modeling and the benefits of a Data Warehouse to a business person? What are the best/most cost effective ways of learning it? What kind of materials, hardware, software, etc do you need? What’s the best way to build a proof of concept that will impress your boss, as rapidly as possible?
Come to this presentation, and I’ll answer all of these questions plus the most important question of all.
“Is this good for the company?” Absolutely.
SessionID: 13881
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: Eric Humphrey
Abstract:
PowerShell’s cmdlets can be pretty powerful on their own, but that’s only part of the power of PowerShell. The .NET Framework is the basis of the PowerShell environment. As such, you have a vast library of operations at your disposal. Learn to use its abilities and save the day without needing a monkey with a bucket.
SessionID: 16480
T-SQL Brush-up:The Best Things You Forgot You Knew
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Jennifer McCown
Title: T-SQL Brush-up:The Best Things You Forgot You Knew
Abstract:
You’re a good SQL professional – you attend conferences and webinars, you read articles and books, and you know your way around SQL Server. But sometimes – just SOMEtimes – some piece of T-SQL slips by you unnoticed, or falls out of memory. Most of us are working with at least two or three out of the last five versions of SQL Server, so who can blame us for missing a feature or two? Come and revisit old favorites, and brush up on new T-SQL features and enhancements. In this session you will see SELECT turned inside-out. You’ll get really, really excited about OVER and PARTITION BY. You’ll learn that Common Table Expressions are, in fact, very cool. This session is chock full of code examples, including before-and-after demos and how-tos.
SessionID: 16481
Unraveling Tangled Code – A Spellbinding Tale
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Jennifer McCown
Title: Unraveling Tangled Code – A Spellbinding Tale
Abstract:
SessionID: 17696
Evaluate your daily Checklist with PBM and CMS
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: John Sterrett
Title: Evaluate your daily Checklist with PBM and CMS
Abstract:
This talk will give you an introduction into monitoring SQL Server using Policy Based Management and Central Management System which is provided out of the box with SQL Server 2008. I will then show you how you can combine these features with the Enterprise Policy Management Framework on codeplex to provide monitoring for your whole SQL Server farm. This topic assumes you know nothing about PBM and CMS and will include lots of examples with only a few PowerPoint slides.
SessionID: 18056
Building Your Own SQL Server Virtual Playground
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Kendal Van Dyke
Title: Building Your Own SQL Server Virtual Playground
Abstract:
As the number of SQL Server versions and features grow over time so does the the difficulty in maintaining a set of tools for working with all of them on your local machine. Add in that some features require multiple physical instances and suddenly a single installation isn't enough. Need to quickly switch between versions and editions of SQL Server? Want to learn how to set up a cluster? Or maybe you want to try out the latest features in SQL 2012...virtualization offers a convenient way to do any or all of these. In this session we'll show you how by covering the fundamentals of desktop virtualization and demonstrating how to set up a virtual playground on your own machine.
SessionID: 18057
Working With XML In SQL Server
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Kendal Van Dyke
Title: Working With XML In SQL Server
Abstract:
SessionID: 18838
Beyond the Where: Full Text Search tips and tricks
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Kris Hokanson
Title: Beyond the Where: Full Text Search tips and tricks
Abstract:
Lots of people know that Full Text Search is a powerful tool for searching unstructured data but did you know that you can utilize its power for structured data as well? Functions like FREETEXTTABLE and CONTAINSTABLE open up some pretty groovy doors in terms of usability. We’ll discuss ways to give your users that search engine like interface that everyone has grown accustomed to without sacrificing query performance. We’ll also hit on creating synonyms to give your users results even when they aren’t quite sure what to search for. It’s an entirely different type of search altogether.
SessionID: 19569
Optimizing Stored Procedures
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Mark Rosenberg
Title: Optimizing Stored Procedures
Abstract:
SessionID: 20366
EXCEL @ SQL Reporting
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Michael D. Newby
Title: EXCEL @ SQL Reporting
Abstract:
This presentation will provide an overview of using Excel as a frontend for reporting with SQL Server and SQL Server Analysis Services. Topics covered will include best practices for using VBA to execute queries using ADO and ADOMD and a short discussion of queries that facilitate creating dashboards: CASE, PIVOT, and COALESCE. Other topics include, SQL.REQUEST, generating PivotTables and DataTables, OLAP PivotTable Extensions, MS Query, and using VBA to segregate data in the recordset generated using SQL. And last but not least all DBA’s favorite SQL, dynamic SQL…..passing variables from Excel to generate user defined data. Also covered will be some Excel tricks for overcoming error messages sometimes created by bad SQL, no data return
SessionID: 20437
A consolidation architecture to host 1000s of DBs
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Mike Saleme
Title: A consolidation architecture to host 1000s of DBs
Abstract:
SessionID: 21291
WIT Discussion Panel
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Nancy Hidy Wilson
Title: WIT Discussion Panel
Abstract:
Since 1985, the peak of female graduates in IT, there has been a steady decline in women participating in technology jobs. This session will be an open forum for discussion of the challenges which women face in the IT workplace and how we can encourage a new generation of women to enter this exciting field. Expected panel participants are Jen McCown, Wendy Pastrick, Christina Leo, Kalen Delaney, Janis Griffin, and Nancy Hidy Wilson.
SessionID: 23012
Avoid Errors on Errors
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Rick Morelan
Title: Avoid Errors on Errors
Abstract:
Did you know that BEGIN TRAN…COMMIT TRAN is not enough to make everything work together? People are often shocked when they see the demo where there are errors in a transaction and it still commits. When SQL encounters an error of Severity 11 (or higher), there a 4 different ways it can react? Learn how to predict the Error Action or control it. This is possible with or without structured error handling. See both ways to control the outcome to the way you want it. This is a very common workplace faux pas and a Microsoft Certification topic for Dev and Admins. We will use lessons from SQL Programming Joes 2 Pros Vol4.
SessionID: 23640
Introduction to the XML source
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Russel Loski
Title: Introduction to the XML source
Abstract:
XML is all over the place. But how do you get that data into SQL Server? SSIS provides an XML Source, but it is not easy to use. In this session we will handle increasingly complex XML documents. After an introduction to using the XML Source with a single set of elements, we will look at how to work with multiple element sets. This includes hierarchically structured XML documents.
Attendees will be able to import simple XML using SSIS. They will be able to create import routines that pull data from different elements of more complex XML. They will understand the role the XML Schema plays in defining the XML data they import.
SessionID: 24258
Understanding Backups
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: Sean McCown
Title: Understanding Backups
Abstract:
SessionID: 24261
Beginning Powershell for DBAs 1.0
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: Sean McCown
Title: Beginning Powershell for DBAs 1.0
Abstract:
The time has come where DBAs can no longer afford to ignore powershell. Not only has it become an integral part of SQL Server, but we’re being asked to do things on a much grander scale than ever before; things that can only be done with powershell. This session will take you from nothing and explain what powershell is all about. I’m going to show you how the more things change the more they stay the same and if you master the basics of powershell in this session, you’ll be able to work with powershell not only in SQL Server, but also at the file system level, in Exchange, IIS, Windows, and anything else. So in this session I’m going to show you the basics you need to get your powershell career started.
SessionID: 24263
Mouth Wide Shut: Coherent Interviewing
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Sean McCown
Title: Mouth Wide Shut: Coherent Interviewing
Abstract:
The MidnightDBAs will guide you through the most important part of the interview: the tech screening. We’ve both interviewed so many DBAs who fail to meet even the lowest expectations during this portion of the interview. You’ll learn how to answer both tech questions and HR questions in a way that’ll actually get you hired. We’ll also teach you how to avoid common traps that mean certain death. This will be a very fun and interactive session and you’ll wish you’d been doing these things all along. Come to this session.
SessionID: 26376
SQL Server 2012 TSQL Enhancements and Additions
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Kevin Boles
Title: SQL Server 2012 TSQL Enhancements and Additions
Abstract:
The breadth and depth of improvements in TSQL coming out with SQL Server 2012 represent the most significant changes in, well, probably ever! This fast and furious overview will touch on a large range of these goodies, with plenty of sample code for you to take home and review at your leisure!
SessionID: 26377
Windowing Functions: THE Reason to Upgrade to 2012
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Kevin Boles
Title: Windowing Functions: THE Reason to Upgrade to 2012
Abstract:
SessionID: 26616
Top 10 New Features of SSIS in 2012
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Tim Mitchell
Title: Top 10 New Features of SSIS in 2012
Abstract:
The release of SQL Server 2012 will bring a number of new and exciting changes to SQL Server Integration Services, making it the most significant release of SSIS since that product replaced DTS in 2005. In this session, we'll explore the top 10(ish) new features of SSIS in SQL Server 2012, including:
-- The new project deployment model
-- Scripting enhancements
-- Logging
... among others. We'll also walk through demonstrations of each of these new behaviors.
SessionID: 26617
Parent/Child Structures in SSIS
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Tim Mitchell
Title: Parent/Child Structures in SSIS
Abstract:
SQL Server Integration Services provides the ability to nest packages within one another in a parent/child structure. By creating a multilayer package infrastructure using native elements of SSIS, you can easily encapsulate reusable components of your ETL layer, simplify logging, and make the development process more efficient.
In this session, we'll take a tour through the parent/child facilities within SSIS, including the following:
-- Benefits of using parent/child structures
-- Sharing values between parent and child packages
-- Parent/child logging
-- Dynamic child packages
-- Changes in the Execute Package Task from SQL 2008 to SQL 2012
We'll also walk through some practical examples of parent/child package implementatio
SessionID: 26677
You Inherited a Database, Now What?
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Tim Radney
Title: You Inherited a Database, Now What?
Abstract:
SessionID: 26678
It is TEMPDB, Why Should You Care?
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Tim Radney
Title: It is TEMPDB, Why Should You Care?
Abstract:
TEMPDB is just for temporary data right? It is installed by default and gets recreated it time SQL is restarted so what does it matter right? WRONG. This session will give you great insight into what uses TEMPDB, why TEMPDB is important, what are some best practices for configuring TEMPDB, and how to determine if you have contention. If you have systems where TEMPDB hasn't been touched since the install, you need to attend this session.
SessionID: 26773
Data Visualization primer: What you need to know
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Tim Costello
Title: Data Visualization primer: What you need to know
Abstract:
Anyone can make a bar chart. The tricky part is recognizing the right time to use a bar, line or shape in your viz. What makes a data visualization 'work' ? How do colors, size and proximity affect visual analysis? In this session we'll break down the 'need to know' parts of data visualization and arm you with the know how to go out there and build stunning, interactive dashboards that tell the story of your data.
SessionID: 27792
Read Dirty to Me - Isolation Levels/User Impact
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Wendy Pastrick
Title: Read Dirty to Me - Isolation Levels/User Impact
Abstract:
Issue a "SELECT {data} FROM {myTable}" statement and users need to trust the data returned is accurate. What happens when multiple processes access the same data? What happens further if one of those process is an UPDATE or even a DELETE statement? How about if both processes will be updating that data? Understanding Isolation in SQL Server is paramount in ensuring data integrity in your system. We will cover the different levels of isolation and how they impact what a user views when accessing the data at a given point-in-time.
SessionID: 27793
Transactional Replication 101
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Wendy Pastrick
Title: Transactional Replication 101
Abstract:
We will cover the players in the game: Pubishers, Subscribers and Distributors, then delve into the data delivery process with Publications, Subscriptions and Articles, finishing up with the Log Reader and how to make sure everything is working and running smoothly.
SessionID: 28493
Solid State Storage Deep Dive
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Wesley Brown
Title: Solid State Storage Deep Dive
Abstract:
SessionID: 28494
Benchmarking, Baselines and Monitoring Storage
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Wesley Brown
Title: Benchmarking, Baselines and Monitoring Storage
Abstract:
Benchmarking, Baselines and Monitoring Storage
There are several steps in the life cycle of your storage systems. We have several tools to help us understand our storage systems from initial deployment through its useful life.
We will cover:
SQLIO, a specific SQL Server benchmarking tool.
Iometer, a general IO benchmarking tool and simulator.
SQLIOSim a specific SQL Server base lining tool and simulator.
TPC style testing focused on TPC-C, TPC-E and TPC-H.
Monitoring your system using WMI and virtual file stats.
Finally, what it all really means, how to read these results and compare them with each other.
With these tools you can plan, deploy and manage your storage for years to come!
SessionID: 28700
SQL Server Security for Developers
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: Andy Warren
Title: SQL Server Security for Developers
Abstract:
SQL Server has a robust and granular system for granting and denying access to users, but all too often we see applications running as DBO or even sysadmin. Why? Part of is that same granular system can be overwhelming and part is that many developers don't see the point in applying such granular security. In this introductory level presentation we'll start at the beginning with creating and managing logins, take a quick look at system roles, and then get into the nitty gritty of users and roles and permissions at the database level. Along the way we'll talk about why its so important to set security at the database and not just rely on the application enforced security.
SessionID: 28701
Building Your Professional Development Plan
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Andy Warren
Title: Building Your Professional Development Plan
Abstract:
SessionID: 28783
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: Argenis Fernandez
Abstract:
SessionID: 28785
Rolling Upgrades Leveraging Database Mirroring
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Argenis Fernandez
Title: Rolling Upgrades Leveraging Database Mirroring
Abstract:
In this session we will discuss how to perform upgrades while maintaining high availability of your SQL server infrastructure by leveraging the rolling upgrade feature of Database Mirroring. We will pair Mirroring with Log Shipping for a resilient rollback strategy.
This is a demo-intensive session that you won't want to miss.
SessionID: 29319
Implementing Columnstore Indexes
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Bryan Smith
Title: Implementing Columnstore Indexes
Abstract:
Introduced with SQL Server 2012, columnstore indexes allow users to query data warehouses with fast, consistent performance. In this session, you will learn when to use these indexes, how to effectively implement them, and how to work through their maintenance challenges.
SessionID: 29320
An Introduction to Big Data for BI
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Bryan Smith
Title: An Introduction to Big Data for BI
Abstract:
A lot has been made of Microsoft's announcement around support for Apache Hadoop but many in the Microsoft Business Intelligence community have been left scratching their head about what this exactly means. In this session, we will discuss Big Data concepts, pick apart Microsoft's announcement, and explore what Big Data means for Business Intelligence programs traditionally focused on data warehousing.
SessionID: 30417
Scaling SQL Server to HUNDREDS of Terabytes
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: James Serra
Title: Scaling SQL Server to HUNDREDS of Terabytes
Abstract:
SessionID: 30474
Don't Panic, DBAs! Databases on VMware made easy.
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Janis Griffin
Title: Don't Panic, DBAs! Databases on VMware made easy.
Abstract:
More and more companies are virtualizing with VMWare, and databases are the next logical step. This presentation will explore the fundamentals of monitoring databases running in a VMWare environment because it can be much different than when running on a physical machine. You will learn business and technical benefits of virtualization, master new terms and concepts, pick up useful planning tips and tricks, and cover best practices for maintaining optimum performance in a VMWare environment.
SessionID: 30840
AlwaysOn - Finally, A usable 'mirror'!
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Jim Murphy
Title: AlwaysOn - Finally, A usable 'mirror'!
Abstract:
In the past, High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) had many limitations. Clustering and Mirroring are great, but the mirror/secondary database is not very usable since it is not online. Finally, AlwaysOn solves this limitation by merging both multi-node Clustering and mirroring. Denali AlwaysOn also allows the secondary database to remain ONLINE, so we can use it for reporting purposes without resorting to a Snapshot! Come see this lively session with extensive demos of setting up, configuring and testing AlwaysOn. We'll also test automatic ConnectionString fail-over using a real web app to see how well that feature works.
SessionID: 30996
SQL Server Tips and Tricks
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD\DBA Track
Speaker: John Cook
Title: SQL Server Tips and Tricks
Abstract:
SessionID: 31164
A Comparison of SQL Server and Oracle
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Jason Wong
Title: A Comparison of SQL Server and Oracle
Abstract:
Today, more often than not, an organization runs on both SQL Server and Oracle databases.
Both SQL Server and Oracle often implement comparible features, backup recovery, high availability, security etc.
It makes sense for DBAs to be familiar with the best practice concepts, armed with knowledge of the both worlds.
In this session, I will present SQL Server and Oracle side-by-side for a comparison of similarity and differences on most popular and useful aspects.
It is assumed the audience already have some good SQL Server knowledge, but with little or none Oracle exposure.
SessionID: 31171
Costs of Concurrency
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Kalen Delaney
Title: Costs of Concurrency
Abstract:
SQL Server offers two methods for an application to provide data consistency: Pessimistic and Optimistic Concurrency Control. In this session we’ll discuss the tradeoffs between consistency and concurrency, and what consistency might mean to your applications,. We'll look at the costs and trade-offs between the two Concurrency Models that SQL Server supports through different transaction isolation levels.
SessionID: 31740
Build a Data Warehouse in Less than 1 Hour
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: Multi Track
Speaker: Mike Hotek
Title: Build a Data Warehouse in Less than 1 Hour
Abstract:
SessionID: 31743
Knowledge from Data–FileTable and Semantic Search
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Mike Hotek
Title: Knowledge from Data–FileTable and Semantic Search
Abstract:
If you thought the data in your database was growing fast, just try to figure out your unstructured data. More and more knowledge is being generated in blog posts, tweets, web pages, and various other documents inside and outside of your organization. Gathering all of this data into a usable repository is a difficult task to start with; making sense of all of the information and being able to find what you are looking for are in a whole other league. Two new features in SQL Server 2012 make this daunting task more manageable. We’ll cover how to leverage the FileTable feature to manage the storage of your unstructured data and then how to apply Full-Text Indexing with the new semantic search capabilities to find what you are looking for.
SessionID: 31750
Recover from a Disaster–What to do When All Fails
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Mike Hotek
Title: Recover from a Disaster–What to do When All Fails
Abstract:
SessionID: 33235
SQL Server Amnesia
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Steven Ormrod
Title: SQL Server Amnesia
Abstract:
When I started as a DBA I didn't know much about SQL Server internals. I inherited quite a few servers and they were experiencing performance problems. Over time I learned more about the internals and how to troubleshoot systems. I'll share some stories with you and talk about some of the methods I use to look at how SQL Server is using its memory. Then we'll look at some examples and demo code.
SessionID: 33370
The {Microsoft} Cloud and I
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: PD Track
Speaker: Anthony {Tex} Moreign
Title: The {Microsoft} Cloud and I
Abstract:
This session is for anyone who is interested in the Cloud specifically Microsofts offerings with a highlight on SQL Azure ... and can expect to leave the session with answers to: 1. What is the Cloud and what are my options in the Cloud – from prominent Cloud Providers? 3. How can the Cloud help me – focus on Microsoft’s Cloud Offerings {Azure, Office 365, Office Live, etc.} 4. Focus on Microsoft SQL Azure (with demos) 5. How do I get started in the Cloud – with bare minimums – today? 5. Most importantly – where to go “AFTER” today – to get answers to Cloud and other technologies!
SessionID: 33567
Dimensional Modeling 101
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: Thomas LeBlanc
Title: Dimensional Modeling 101
Abstract:
This session is going to help create a dimensional Data Mart from the AdventureWorks database that includes dimension tables and 2 example fact tables. The Kimball spreadsheet for documenting a Data Mart will be used to reenforce the need for Requirements and Functional specifications. A brief review of ETL for Slowly Changing Dimension and population of the Fact will be deomstrated as well as a simple cube for reporting.
SessionID: 33569
Execution Plan Basics - Beginners
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Thomas LeBlanc
Title: Execution Plan Basics - Beginners
Abstract:
This will be a Beginners session highlighting the starting point for using the execution plans from SQL Server to assist in query tuning. Briefly, we will look at the history to get an idea of how Microsoft has improved the display through Graphical Plans and Missing Index suggestion. What is the difference between a Table and Clustered Index Scan? What is a Lookup? How do you improve performance of Lookups? What are the different types of Loops? How to get more information from the Plan with the properties window?
SessionID: 33826
Edge Case Testing for the Database Professional
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: AD Track
Speaker: Vicky Harp
Title: Edge Case Testing for the Database Professional
Abstract:
SessionID: 34319
Becoming DAX: An Introduction ...
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: William E Pearson III
Title: Becoming DAX: An Introduction ...
Abstract:
SessionID: 34324
Many-to-Many: Multiple Calendars in a Single Cube
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: BI Track
Speaker: William E Pearson III
Title: Many-to-Many: Multiple Calendars in a Single Cube
Abstract:
Including the fiscal calendars of major customers within the date dimensions of their own cubes has great appeal to many organizations, including financial services firms and the like. After all, having customer calendars in their cubes' date dimension means sales and marketing managers can analyze - and report upon - data according to the fiscal calendar of the customer, as well as within the context of their own. In this session, Microsoft BI Architect and SQL Server MVP Bill Pearson leads an examination into a way we can accomplish this by implementing a SQL Server Analysis Services "many-to-many" dimension scenario.
SessionID: 34503
SQL Admin Best Practices with DMV's
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: William Assaf
Title: SQL Admin Best Practices with DMV's
Abstract:
In this practical and script-focused session, we'll discuss many best practices regarding SQL Server administration, maintenance, optimizations and monitoring using Dynamic Management Views. DMV's are essential tools for the SQL administrator, but have a wide range of applications by developers, network engineers and DBAs. We will delve into best practices for server maintenance, index fragmentation, XEvents, wait type analysis and future features. This session will be informative and eye-opening to anyone from a junior DBA on up.
SessionID: 34813
Eating the Elephant: SQL Server Table Partitioning
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Michael Fal
Title: Eating the Elephant: SQL Server Table Partitioning
Abstract:
Is your table fat? Do you need to manage a table that has billions of rows within it and are overwhelmed by index rebuilds that take more than 12 hours? SQL Server's table partitioning gives the DBA the tools to manage this beast and support very large tables in a way where index management and data retrieval does not become unwieldy. This presentation will take you step by step through choosing an appropriate partitioning key, setting up the partitioning on the table, and finally maintaining the partitions.
SessionID: 34814
The Fabulous Query Plan Primer
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: Michael Fal
Title: The Fabulous Query Plan Primer
Abstract:
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, data professionals of ALL ages, we welcome you to learn the basics of query plans and their operators. This presentation will not only cure you of mental aches caused by the mysteries of estimated and actual row counts, but will also part the misty veil of physical join operators and aggregates. When you leave this room, you will have the fundamental understanding of the language of query plans so that you can begin the wondrous process of query tuning.
SessionID: 9116
Standardize Your Environment With Best Practices
Event Date: 21-04-2012 - Session time: 00:00:00 - Track: DBA Track
Speaker: AJ Mendo
Title: Standardize Your Environment With Best Practices
Abstract:
SQL Server? Do you manually create and configuring your routine maintenance? Are your SQL Agent Jobs owned by
other DBAs in your group? Do you know when jobs fail? Or discover them accidentally? Do you have a standardized
way to deploy updates?
We will discuss all these things and some others during this session and hopefully when we come out the other
side some of this will make your life easier.