Our ezines and ebooks provide the in-depth information SQL Server database administrators and developers are seeking on Microsoft's flagship database enterprise server, SQL Server and its latest release SQL Server 2008. With each edition, our SQL Server experts address areas you need to know about, including performance, migration strategies and business intelligence.
SQL Server eBooks and Handbooks | |
SQL Server 2008 migration: Evaluate the value of a SQL Server upgrade
A SearchSQLServer.com Techfocus handbook
By Hilary Cotter
December 4, 2000
To get a handle on which SQL Server versions are available, first you need to understand some nomenclature semantics. SQL Server 2008, which shipped in August 2008, is now into Service Pack 1 (SP1)with Cumulative Update (CU) 4. SQL Server 11-officially named SQL Server 2008 R2-is due out in the first half of 2010.
The next step is to consider your reasons for an upgrade. Different industries will have different motivations for migrating to the next version of SQL Server. These reasons can be grouped into the following categories:
- Compelling new features
- Hardware improvements
- Maintaining competitiveness
- Cost savings
- Support and community involvement
Download this handbook
The Windows manager's guide to iSCSI SANs

Chapter2: Gearing up for SANs on a SQL Server
Using iSCSI SANs on a SQL Server can improve performance, reduce infrastructure costs and facilitate system scalability. Get details on how to configure an iSCSI SAN for optimal SQL Server performance and growth.
View all three chapters available in this ebook.
SQL Server consolidation: Why, when and how to consolidate SQL Servers
A SearchSQLServer.com eBook
By Hilary Cotter
December 13, 2006
Chapter 1: The case for consolidation

Many SQL Server shops suffer from uncoordinated installations, wasted
hardware and licenses, lack of standards and security holes. In this
chapter we look at the causes and pitfalls of SQL Server sprawl. 20 Apr
2006
Defining consolidation
Causes and pitfalls of SQL Server sprawl
How consolidation can help
What to consolidate: Servers and storage
Key consolidation questions to ask
Download chapter 1
Chapter 2: Planning your consolidation

You've reviewed the benefits and decided to consolidate your SQL Server
databases. But how should you approach the project? 21 Jun 2006
Plan early
Six steps to consolidation
Identify candidate servers and databases
Review version, software and hardware dependencies
Consolidate on the 32-bit vs. 64-bit
Consolidate on single vs. multiple instances
Download chapter 2
Chapter 3: Performing your SQL Server consolidation

You've learned the benefits of SQL Server consolidation and the necessary
steps to perform the move. Now it's time to put that wisdom into practice and design your own SQL Server consolidation. 13 Dec 2006
Consider dependencies in your design
Know the role of stored procedures
Develop a test environment
Migrate and consolidate
Time to test
Deploy to production
Stabilize new environment
Download chapter 3
eZine: SQL Server INSIDER | |

Utilize Analysis Services partitions and aggregations
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Baya Pavliashvili
Feb. 21, 2008
Microsoft Analysis Services offers two powerful features for tuning query performance. In this SQL Server INSIDER, get familiar with two powerful features: partitions and aggregations. Improve your analytical applications with partitions to divide data into manageable chunks, and aggregations that are pre-calculated summary values MSAS uses at query execution time – rather than scanning partition files and getting summary values on the fly. Read this latest ezine article and achieve the best possible performance in MSAS with step to:
Partition a measure group
Build useful aggregations
Implement MSAS wizards
Utilize Aggregation Manager
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 7

Selecting the right SQL Server recovery model
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Denny Cherry
Sept. 14, 2007
SQL Server database administrators must have a backup and recovery strategy in place and they must be certain it's the best plan for their SQL Server environment. Choosing the right recovery method is imperative for minimizing, or even preventing, data loss. In this edition of SQL Server INSIDER, expert Denny Cherry examines the backup and recovery strategies available and discusses how to make the correct decision for your SQL Server environment. Read this ezine from SearchSQLServer.com for tips on selecting the right backup method. Learn how to choose from the six main backup methods in use today:
File-level backups
Full backups only
Full backups with differentials
Full backups with transaction logs
Full backups with differentials and transaction logs
File group backups
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 6

Designing databases for performance
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Baya Pavliashvili
July 15, 2007
SQL Server database architects and administrators have many choices to make if they want their applications to perform well right from the start. To ensure successful database performance, it's important to make the good choices during the design phase, in order to avoid post deployment problems. In this edition of SQL Server INSIDER, expert Baya Pavliashvili discusses how to make database design decisions that will optimize performance. Read this ezine from SearchSQLServer.com for tips in designing a database that contains appropriate:
Data models
Data types
Indexing strategies
Code modules
High Availability options
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 5

New security model in SQL Server 2005
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Michelle Gutzait
May 15, 2007
Security at the server level is typically the responsibility of the DBA or developer, rather than an organizational initiative. With this in mind, Microsoft added a number of security features to SQL Server 2005 intended to make it an easier task.
The new security model in SQL Server 2005 defines two main security objects – principles and securables. In this edition of SQL Server Insider, expert Michelle Gutzait reviews the new security model in SQL Server 2005 and argues the importance of defined security standards and ways they should be applied, managed and controlled. Read this ezine from SearchSQLServer.com to get SQL Server security information about:
Security configurations for SQL Server
Surface area configurations
Data encryption
The strength of the new schema model and more!
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 4

Backup and recovery in SQL Server 2005
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Hilary Cotter
March 20, 2007

It's essential that database administrators have a reliable backup and recovery plan for their SQL Server databases. Microsoft reports that the majority of its support calls are incidents that were preventable if DBAs had been following best practices. This ezine examines new database backup and recovery methods and also includes articles on SQL Server 2005 performance and upgrade management. In this issue, you'll find:
New backup and recovery methods for SQL Server 2005
Partition indexes for improved SQL Server 2005 performance
SQL Server upgrade hurdles
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 3

Search Me: Using SQL Server Full-Text Search
A SearchSQLServer.com ezine
By Hilary Cotter
January 31, 2007

The full-text search built into SQL Server 2005 is a hugely powerful feature that can improve the performance of your databases. With an index that's remarkably like the only you'll find in the back of a reference book, your users can find the content they seek swiftly, by concept as well as by spelling. A search for "color" can find "colour", if you like, and the keyword "chocolate" can return results that include "cocoa." In this ezine, you'll find:
FTS advantages
Create a full-text catalog
Tables using T-SQL
Indexes using the Wizard
XML in FTS
Testing FTS
Download SQL SERVER INSIDER issue 2

How to build a SQL Server cluster (and keep your hair, too)
Clusters help you run a highly available SQL Server, but setup requires a whole
bunch of steps. We walk you through the process, and help you make the right
configuration decisions before you click on Install. In this ezine, you'll find: