Make sure your SQL Server 2005 databases and applications are at optimal performance levels. Once you identify problems, you'll need to know the tools to fix them. Whether you're thinking about migrating to SQL Server 2005 or you've already made the leap, this
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collection of tips from our SQL Server experts will guide you toward optimizing Microsoft's
latest version of SQL Server. Get the scoop on new tools like Database Snapshots and SQL OS. Learn
how to optimize already existing features like SQL Profiler, but now in SQL Server 2005. Get
introduced to entirely new features like SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and see how to
expand its functionality.
If you'd like to see a specific topic covered regarding SQL Server 2005 performance, send us an e-mail.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Backup and Restore
Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing
Development
Security
Installation
| Backup and Restore |
- Q&A:
Database mirroring and its witness
Database mirroring in SQL Server 2005 will increase your system's availability by allowing a quick and automatic failover. Learn more about the role of the witness.
- SQL
Server 2005: When and how to use Database Snapshots
A new feature in SQL Server 2005 lets you easily create a read-only copy of your database. Edgewood Solutions' Greg Robidoux explains the pros and cons of using Database Snapshots.
- Partial
backup options in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 offers new backup enhancements to help ease the pain of backing up only changed data. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp compares your options.
- Online
restore feature in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005's online restore feature eliminates the need to have exclusive access to the database when restoring a backup.
| Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing |
- Analysis
Services 2005 delivers new features -- start to finish
Microsoft Analysis Services 2005 (MSAS 2005) new features affect migration from applications developed with MSAS 2000 and improve business intelligence (BI) performance.
- Table
partitioning with SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 offers improved database performance. See how transactional and data warehousing environments will thrive with the upgraded table partitioning function.
- Extend
SSIS packages with scripting and programming
SQL Server Integration Service has extended functionality with scripting and programming. In this tip, you'll learn how to extend Control Flow and Data Flow in SSIS packages.
- Partition
indexes for improved SQL Server 2005 performance
SQL Server 2005 index partitioning allows you to distribute the load for a given index across multiple files. Learn how to create an index with partitioned data.
- Reporting
Services tool set in Management Studio goes real-time
SQL Server 2005 integrates Management Studio with Reporting Services to offer real-time reporting never before available. This tip offers a glimpse into the tool set.
- More
powerful Analysis Services MDX in SQL Server 2005
More powerful MDX in SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services includes query support and expression/calculation language to help support business intelligence needs. See how it works.
- Use
cube partitions to improve Analysis Services performance
Analysis Services performance may falter when reporting on huge volumes of data. This tip explains how to use cube partitions to improve query performance and reduce downtime.
- Using
SQL Server Profiler with Analysis Services
SQL Server 2005 opens the door to internal processing and tuning of Analysis Services via SQL Profiler, functionality not available in earlier versions. Learn how to get started.
| Development |
- Tempdb
changes in SQL Server 2005
Tempdb in SQL Server 2005 provides improved performance. In this tip, get insight to these tempdb changes and write advanced SQL Server code.
- Upgrading
stored procedures in SQL Server 2005
Learn how to upgrade your stored procedures to take advantage of new SQL Server 2005 features without breaking existing functionality.
- How
to debug T-SQL stored procedures
Easy-to-use graphical debugging tools in Visual Studio 2005 will help simplify the process of unit testing your T-SQL code.
- T-SQL
in SSIS: The power and the weaknesses
The decision to use T-SQL (ExecuteSQL) task vs. Data Flow task in SSIS depends on several factors. Get the pros and cons for pulling data into SQL Server Integration Services.
- Writing
quality SQLCLR routines
SQLCLR is a powerful new developer tool in SQL Server 2005, but it will take some adjusting for you to work with it properly. Get help working with the new programming paradigm.
- Exception
handling best practices in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 brings you TRY/CATCH, a new T-SQL feature that helps find and address errors before they reach application code. Get best practices for working with it.
- Tracking
query execution with SQL Server 2005 Profiler
Analyzing SQL Server Profiler results can help you fine-tune query performance. Edgewood Solutions' Jeremy Kadlec explains how based on two different scenarios.
- Working
with schemas in SQL Server 2005
If you're managing too many databases with too many objects, it may be time to take advantage of SQL Server 2005's ANSI SQL feature: schemas. Find out how schemas can help.
- Developing
with SQL Server 2005 Express
With SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, Microsoft offers a feature-rich tool set with a familiar interface free of charge.
- Track
resource usage with SQL Server 2005 SQL OS
The SQL OS in SQL Server 2005 allows you to identify and troubleshoot performance issues in SQL Server, Windows and in the hardware platform.
| Security |
- Surface
Area Configuration and other security tools in SQL Server 2005
Surface Area Configuration can reduce your SQL Server surface area and limit gateways for attackers. Get the know-how on SAC, SQL Browser and SQL Server Configuration Manager.
- Encryption
enhancements in SQL Server 2005
SQL Server encryption used to be cumbersome and incomplete, as it failed to secure data at rest. Not any more, says CISSP Kevin Beaver.
- Ownership
chaining in SQL Server 2005
Ownership chains have unique permissions' issues in SQL Server 2005. Contributor Serdar Yegulalp explains the access levels of ownership chains, and the benefits of "EXECUTE AS."
- Analysis
Services 2005 in SQL Server has improved security
Microsoft improves security features in Analysis Services 2005. MSAS upgrades include safer, more flexible database user permissions and cube processing.
| Installation |
- Database
Engine Tuning Adviser: How to tune your new SQL Server 2005
Installing SQL Server 2005 is not your greatest challenge; it's ensuring the new DBMS meets high-performance demands. Tune your system using the Database Engine Tuning Advisor.
- Reduce
upgrade unknowns with the SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor
Adam Machanic explains why you need the SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor and how to get it up and running.
- SQL
Profiler: Features, functions and setup in SQL Server 2005
Edgewood Solutions' Jeremy Kadlec discusses new Profiler features in SQL Server 2005 and how to set it up.
- Alerting
capabilities in SQL Server 2005
Alert capabilities in SQL Server 2005 have surpassed those in SQL Server 2000. Industry needs are now met with Database Mail.
This was first published in March 2007
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