SQL Server 2005 - Setup and Deployment

So far, in our series of articles, we have presented the most significant new and enhanced features available in Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, but neglected to provide you with information regarding its installation. While it is more than likely that, by now, you already have accomplished this entirely on your own, we suspect that you still should be able to benefit from a more in-depth analysis of the setup process. Explaining improvements in its design and implementation is the primary purpose of this article.

How to Pass Access Data Across the Web

The solution described below should probably not be considered a "best practice" but it works. It came to life as I was pondering the following conundrum: How can I pass a little bit of data from an internal Access application behind a firewall out to a public web site in real time?

Identifying Long Running SQL Server Agent Jobs

In my article last month, I wrote about different methods you could use to identify the state of a SQL Server Agent job. One of the methods I discussed was using the undocumented extended stored procedure (XP) "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs." In this article, I will show you how to use the "xp_sqlagent_enum_jobs" XP to help identify long running jobs.

Why bother with backup?

Backing up SQL Server data is like many of the things we do because we figure we need to. It is good for you, like eating a good diet and getting exercise. Unfortunately, folks are often about as successful with SQL Server backups as they are with diet and exercise.

This is the first in a series of articles covering SQL Server database backup. The series starts from the very basics of why database backup is important. The question of why to backup a database can inform many other decisions.

How to Check the Status of a File Before Processing

SQL Server Database administrators often copy(refer Fig 1.0) huge files, such as Full backup files and transaction log backup files from production to QA or from production to development environment and so on. Sometimes they need to copy source data files for importing. If they want to restore those Full backups or transaction log backup files or import those huge source files, they have to wait until the copy is complete.

A Call to Arms

Long anticipated, the arrival of radically restructured database architectures is now finally at hand. By Jim Gray of Microsoft Research.

XML Indexing In SQL Server 2005

Intrested in how to index XML documents? Here's a 12 page PDF on how this works.

Reporting Services vs. Crystal Reports

A Feature comparison of Reporting Services for SQL 2000 and Crystal Reports / Crystal Enterprise. PDF file link.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to patch SQL Server, part 2

Welcome to part two of our series on finding and patching SQL Servers in your organization. In part one we discussed how to find all of the SQL Server instances on your network. In this part, we'll discuss patch deployment and the various options available to you.

Introduction to MSSQL Server Analysis Services: Presentation Nuances:

In this article, we will examine a subject that is near and dear to broadly focused report authors - the use of cube structure to create desired cosmetic effects - in the Cube Browser, and more importantly, in a reporting environment. I constantly get e-mails, and see questions in forums and elsewhere, asking how to achieve effects that are not apparently "available" in "intuitive" cube structures, such as any of those that we see in the sample cubes. One of the apparent "shortfalls" that frustrate users is their inability to display the same dimension on both the "x-" and "y-" axes for presentation purposes.