December 17, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Hi,
Im interested in setting up a dba training environment at home. I have a few years developing reports in ssrs and Im interested in becoming a dba. I have installed sql server 2008 r2 at home in the past but now want to install it on windows server to get more familiar with admin duties, active directory, etc.
I don't have any experience with Windows Server. Can anyone give me some advice on how I should install it knowing that my intentions are to install sql server on it next? Do I need to set windows server up as a domain controller, forest, etc?
Also, I have access to windows server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012. Which one should I go with? Seems like most companies are still using server 2008 r2 still...
Thanks in advance for any help
December 17, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Here's a write up I did on testing labs http://www.dbaonthego.com/2013/12/testing-labs.html
Jeremiah wrote a good post on sample databases here.[/url]
Here's another link to a list of training options. Here.
What are you looking for specifically? Full testing of all major ideas or just some place to code?
"I don't have any experience with Windows Server. Can anyone give me some advice on how I should install it knowing that my intentions are to install sql server on it next? Do I need to set windows server up as a domain controller, forest, etc?"
VMWare will install most of it for you. search DCPromo. it's the run command you use to install active directory. Something to note, you cannot install SQL on an active directory server... though you can install active directory on a SQL server. (not advised)
Also, I have access to windows server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012. Which one should I go with? Seems like most companies are still using server 2008 r2 still...
You can download trials of any software you want. I'd personally install a 2008 R2 box, 2012 box, 2012 R2 box and have SQL 2008 R2, 2012, 2014 cpt on each. Good platforms to see what's different and give options.
.
December 18, 2013 at 4:47 am
Unless you need to learn hybrid environments, I wouldn't bother setting up a system at home any more. Do you have access to an MSDN license through work? If so, you're golden. Associate that MSDN license to an Azure account and then you can set up servers, networking, pretty much anything you like. It will cost you almost nothing and it's fast and easy. I had my personal server turned off for about the last six months. I've only turned it back on because I want to test some hybrid setups, availability groups to Azure, stuff like that. If you don't have an MSDN account, you might consider getting one instead of buying hardware and software licenses. It could seriously save you money... in fact, that's a good idea for a blog post. Thanks.
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