One easy solution to build up a history is to script a job to run as frequently as you want to insert a tracer token, you can then view...

I would say its worth it, I used this very book to pass the exam. Without breaking the NDA, topics also covered are Master Data Services and Data Quality...

Given that you are in Manchester you should look at the surounding universtities as well. Some universities have a Microsoft IT academy which will run certain SQL server courses....

Success, I have finally managed to get replication working. As mentioned above, running a EC2 AMI with SQL Server installed was the way to go. Its just a...

EdVassie (2/10/2014)

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There are LOTS of components in AWS. If you try to learn everything before you use anything, it is a very steep learning curve. My advice is...

I assume you mean creating a SQL server instance using EC2 within AWS opposed to creating a SQL server instance via RDS?

If so that does sound more plausible as I...

Thank you Michael, it appears they must have removed that functionality as per there documentation it states:

"Amazon RDS for SQL Server does not currently support importing data into the...

Appears that SQL server replication is not supported on AWS either and restore from file is also not available:

http://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/SQLServer.Procedural.Importing.html

Options are looking very limited.

seatedElephant (2/5/2014)

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Do you think it's possible/desirable to be a specialist in 'a few' fields i.e. data warehousing/SSRS/SSIS? I suppose it's a yes as long as you put the time and...

I was involved with SQL Server in a pretty general type of way for many years working at first in support, then development. Once I had made up my...

I generally compare it to a "Chandler Bing" type job, as its almost impossible to explain it to people that have no knowledge or interest in IT.

Most of my friends...

I had a similar experience with my current employer during the interview stages.

1. 30 min technical telephone interview with direct line manager

2. 30 min face to face with...

If you use the extract string to search in google what Jeff added the 3rd result i found was this:

http://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/scriptcenter/c0c57332-8624-48c0-b4c3-5b31fe641c58

Honestly, I wouldn't. I have been working SQL server for the last 14 years and as a production DBA for 6 years.

Having recently finished the MCSA in SQL 2012...

What driver is your client application using to connect? ODBC, ado etc etc.

Also I assume you have checked that the connection string is using the listener name for your...