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📄 Contents

  1. SQL Server Reference Guide
  2. Introduction
  3. SQL Server Reference Guide Overview
  4. Table of Contents
  5. Microsoft SQL Server Defined
  6. SQL Server Editions
  7. SQL Server Access
  8. Informit Articles and Sample Chapters
  9. Online Resources
  10. Microsoft SQL Server Features
  11. SQL Server Books Online
  12. Clustering Services
  13. Data Transformation Services (DTS) Overview
  14. Replication Services
  15. Database Mirroring
  16. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  17. Analysis Services
  18. Microsot SQL Server Reporting Services
  19. XML Overview
  20. Notification Services for the DBA
  21. Full-Text Search
  22. SQL Server 2005 - Service Broker
  23. Using SQL Server as a Web Service
  24. SQL Server Encryption Options Overview
  25. SQL Server 2008 Overview
  26. SQL Server 2008 R2 Overview
  27. SQL Azure
  28. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 1
  29. The Utility Control Point and Data Application Component, Part 2
  30. Microsoft SQL Server Administration
  31. The DBA Survival Guide: The 10 Minute SQL Server Overview
  32. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 1
  33. Preparing (or Tuning) a Windows System for SQL Server, Part 2
  34. Installing SQL Server
  35. Upgrading SQL Server
  36. SQL Server 2000 Management Tools
  37. SQL Server 2005 Management Tools
  38. SQL Server 2008 Management Tools
  39. SQL Azure Tools
  40. Automating Tasks with SQL Server Agent
  41. Run Operating System Commands in SQL Agent using PowerShell
  42. Automating Tasks Without SQL Server Agent
  43. Storage – SQL Server I/O
  44. Service Packs, Hotfixes and Cumulative Upgrades
  45. Tracking SQL Server Information with Error and Event Logs
  46. Change Management
  47. SQL Server Metadata, Part One
  48. SQL Server Meta-Data, Part Two
  49. Monitoring - SQL Server 2005 Dynamic Views and Functions
  50. Monitoring - Performance Monitor
  51. Unattended Performance Monitoring for SQL Server
  52. Monitoring - User-Defined Performance Counters
  53. Monitoring: SQL Server Activity Monitor
  54. SQL Server Instances
  55. DBCC Commands
  56. SQL Server and Mail
  57. Database Maintenance Checklist
  58. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2000 and Earlier
  59. The Maintenance Wizard: SQL Server 2005 (SP2) and Later
  60. The Web Assistant Wizard
  61. Creating Web Pages from SQL Server
  62. SQL Server Security
  63. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 1
  64. Securing the SQL Server Platform, Part 2
  65. SQL Server Security: Users and other Principals
  66. SQL Server Security – Roles
  67. SQL Server Security: Objects (Securables)
  68. Security: Using the Command Line
  69. SQL Server Security - Encrypting Connections
  70. SQL Server Security: Encrypting Data
  71. SQL Server Security Audit
  72. High Availability - SQL Server Clustering
  73. SQL Server Configuration, Part 1
  74. SQL Server Configuration, Part 2
  75. Database Configuration Options
  76. 32- vs 64-bit Computing for SQL Server
  77. SQL Server and Memory
  78. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  79. Statistical Indexes
  80. Backup and Recovery
  81. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part One
  82. Backup and Recovery Examples, Part Two: Transferring Databases to Another System (Even Without Backups)
  83. SQL Profiler - Reverse Engineering An Application
  84. SQL Trace
  85. SQL Server Alerts
  86. Files and Filegroups
  87. Partitioning
  88. Full-Text Indexes
  89. Read-Only Data
  90. SQL Server Locks
  91. Monitoring Locking and Deadlocking
  92. Controlling Locks in SQL Server
  93. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part One
  94. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Two
  95. SQL Server Policy-Based Management, Part Three
  96. Microsoft SQL Server Programming
  97. An Outline for Development
  98. Database
  99. Database Services
  100. Database Objects: Databases
  101. Database Objects: Tables
  102. Database Objects: Table Relationships
  103. Database Objects: Keys
  104. Database Objects: Constraints
  105. Database Objects: Data Types
  106. Database Objects: Views
  107. Database Objects: Stored Procedures
  108. Database Objects: Indexes
  109. Database Objects: User Defined Functions
  110. Database Objects: Triggers
  111. Database Design: Requirements, Entities, and Attributes
  112. Business Process Model Notation (BPMN) and the Data Professional
  113. Business Questions for Database Design, Part One
  114. Business Questions for Database Design, Part Two
  115. Database Design: Finalizing Requirements and Defining Relationships
  116. Database Design: Creating an Entity Relationship Diagram
  117. Database Design: The Logical ERD
  118. Database Design: Adjusting The Model
  119. Database Design: Normalizing the Model
  120. Creating The Physical Model
  121. Database Design: Changing Attributes to Columns
  122. Database Design: Creating The Physical Database
  123. Database Design Example: Curriculum Vitae
  124. NULLs
  125. The SQL Server Sample Databases
  126. The SQL Server Sample Databases: pubs
  127. The SQL Server Sample Databases: NorthWind
  128. The SQL Server Sample Databases: AdventureWorks
  129. The SQL Server Sample Databases: Adventureworks Derivatives
  130. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 1
  131. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 2
  132. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 3
  133. UniversalDB: The Demo and Testing Database, Part 4
  134. Getting Started with Transact-SQL
  135. Transact-SQL: Data Definition Language (DDL) Basics
  136. Transact-SQL: Limiting Results
  137. Transact-SQL: More Operators
  138. Transact-SQL: Ordering and Aggregating Data
  139. Transact-SQL: Subqueries
  140. Transact-SQL: Joins
  141. Transact-SQL: Complex Joins - Building a View with Multiple JOINs
  142. Transact-SQL: Inserts, Updates, and Deletes
  143. An Introduction to the CLR in SQL Server 2005
  144. Design Elements Part 1: Programming Flow Overview, Code Format and Commenting your Code
  145. Design Elements Part 2: Controlling SQL's Scope
  146. Design Elements Part 3: Error Handling
  147. Design Elements Part 4: Variables
  148. Design Elements Part 5: Where Does The Code Live?
  149. Design Elements Part 6: Math Operators and Functions
  150. Design Elements Part 7: Statistical Functions
  151. Design Elements Part 8: Summarization Statistical Algorithms
  152. Design Elements Part 9:Representing Data with Statistical Algorithms
  153. Design Elements Part 10: Interpreting the Data—Regression
  154. Design Elements Part 11: String Manipulation
  155. Design Elements Part 12: Loops
  156. Design Elements Part 13: Recursion
  157. Design Elements Part 14: Arrays
  158. Design Elements Part 15: Event-Driven Programming Vs. Scheduled Processes
  159. Design Elements Part 16: Event-Driven Programming
  160. Design Elements Part 17: Program Flow
  161. Forming Queries Part 1: Design
  162. Forming Queries Part 2: Query Basics
  163. Forming Queries Part 3: Query Optimization
  164. Forming Queries Part 4: SET Options
  165. Forming Queries Part 5: Table Optimization Hints
  166. Using SQL Server Templates
  167. Transact-SQL Unit Testing
  168. Index Tuning Wizard
  169. Unicode and SQL Server
  170. SQL Server Development Tools
  171. The SQL Server Transact-SQL Debugger
  172. The Transact-SQL Debugger, Part 2
  173. Basic Troubleshooting for Transact-SQL Code
  174. An Introduction to Spatial Data in SQL Server 2008
  175. Performance Tuning
  176. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools and Processes
  177. Performance Tuning SQL Server: Tools Overview
  178. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Defining Components
  179. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part One
  180. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Evaluation Part Two
  181. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Interpretation
  182. Creating a Performance Tuning Audit - Developing an Action Plan
  183. Understanding SQL Server Query Plans
  184. Performance Tuning: Implementing Indexes
  185. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 1
  186. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows 2008 (and Higher) Server Utilities, Part 2
  187. Performance Monitoring Tools: Windows System Monitor
  188. Performance Monitoring Tools: Logging with System Monitor
  189. Performance Monitoring Tools: User Defined Counters
  190. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 1
  191. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 2
  192. General Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Performance Tuning, Part 3
  193. Performance Monitoring Tools: An Introduction to SQL Profiler
  194. Performance Tuning: Introduction to Indexes
  195. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2000 Index Tuning Wizard
  196. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2005 Database Tuning Advisor
  197. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server Management Studio Reports
  198. Performance Monitoring Tools: SQL Server 2008 Activity Monitor
  199. The SQL Server 2008 Management Data Warehouse and Data Collector
  200. Performance Monitoring Tools: Evaluating Wait States with PowerShell and Excel
  201. Practical Applications
  202. Choosing the Back End
  203. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 1
  204. The DBA's Toolbox, Part 2
  205. Scripting Solutions for SQL Server
  206. Building a SQL Server Lab
  207. Using Graphics Files with SQL Server
  208. Enterprise Resource Planning
  209. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  210. Building a Reporting Data Server
  211. Building a Database Documenter, Part 1
  212. Building a Database Documenter, Part 2
  213. Data Management Objects
  214. Data Management Objects: The Server Object
  215. Data Management Objects: Server Object Methods
  216. Data Management Objects: Collections and the Database Object
  217. Data Management Objects: Database Information
  218. Data Management Objects: Database Control
  219. Data Management Objects: Database Maintenance
  220. Data Management Objects: Logging the Process
  221. Data Management Objects: Running SQL Statements
  222. Data Management Objects: Multiple Row Returns
  223. Data Management Objects: Other Database Objects
  224. Data Management Objects: Security
  225. Data Management Objects: Scripting
  226. Powershell and SQL Server - Overview
  227. PowerShell and SQL Server - Objects and Providers
  228. Powershell and SQL Server - A Script Framework
  229. Powershell and SQL Server - Logging the Process
  230. Powershell and SQL Server - Reading a Control File
  231. Powershell and SQL Server - SQL Server Access
  232. Powershell and SQL Server - Web Pages from a SQL Query
  233. Powershell and SQL Server - Scrubbing the Event Logs
  234. SQL Server 2008 PowerShell Provider
  235. SQL Server I/O: Importing and Exporting Data
  236. SQL Server I/O: XML in Database Terms
  237. SQL Server I/O: Creating XML Output
  238. SQL Server I/O: Reading XML Documents
  239. SQL Server I/O: Using XML Control Mechanisms
  240. SQL Server I/O: Creating Hierarchies
  241. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML
  242. SQL Server I/O: Using HTTP with SQL Server XML Templates
  243. SQL Server I/O: Remote Queries
  244. SQL Server I/O: Working with Text Files
  245. Using Microsoft SQL Server on Handheld Devices
  246. Front-Ends 101: Microsoft Access
  247. Comparing Two SQL Server Databases
  248. English Query - Part 1
  249. English Query - Part 2
  250. English Query - Part 3
  251. English Query - Part 4
  252. English Query - Part 5
  253. RSS Feeds from SQL Server
  254. Using SQL Server Agent to Monitor Backups
  255. Reporting Services - Creating a Maintenance Report
  256. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 1
  257. SQL Server Chargeback Strategies, Part 2
  258. SQL Server Replication Example
  259. Creating a Master Agent and Alert Server
  260. The SQL Server Central Management System: Definition
  261. The SQL Server Central Management System: Base Tables
  262. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 1)
  263. The SQL Server Central Management System: Execution of Server Information (Part 2)
  264. The SQL Server Central Management System: Collecting Performance Metrics
  265. The SQL Server Central Management System: Centralizing Agent Jobs, Events and Scripts
  266. The SQL Server Central Management System: Reporting the Data and Project Summary
  267. Time Tracking for SQL Server Operations
  268. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server
  269. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System
  270. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Model the System, Continued
  271. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Decide on the Destination
  272. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL
  273. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Design the ETL, Continued
  274. Migrating Departmental Data Stores to SQL Server: Attach the Front End, Test, and Monitor
  275. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 1
  276. Tracking SQL Server Timed Events, Part 2
  277. Patterns and Practices for the Data Professional
  278. Managing Vendor Databases
  279. Consolidation Options
  280. Connecting to a SQL Azure Database from Microsoft Access
  281. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part One
  282. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Two
  283. SharePoint 2007 and SQL Server, Part Three
  284. Querying Multiple Data Sources from a Single Location (Distributed Queries)
  285. Importing and Exporting Data for SQL Azure
  286. Working on Distributed Teams
  287. Professional Development
  288. Becoming a DBA
  289. Certification
  290. DBA Levels
  291. Becoming a Data Professional
  292. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 1
  293. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 2
  294. SQL Server Professional Development Plan, Part 3
  295. Evaluating Technical Options
  296. System Sizing
  297. Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan
  298. Anatomy of a Disaster (Response Plan)
  299. Database Troubleshooting
  300. Conducting an Effective Code Review
  301. Developing an Exit Strategy
  302. Data Retention Strategy
  303. Keeping Your DBA/Developer Job in Troubled Times
  304. The SQL Server Runbook
  305. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 1
  306. Creating and Maintaining a SQL Server Configuration History, Part 2
  307. Creating an Application Profile, Part 1
  308. Creating an Application Profile, Part 2
  309. How to Attend a Technical Conference
  310. Tips for Maximizing Your IT Budget This Year
  311. The Importance of Blue-Sky Planning
  312. Application Architecture Assessments
  313. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part One
  314. Transact-SQL Code Reviews, Part Two
  315. Cloud Computing (Distributed Computing) Paradigms
  316. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part One
  317. NoSQL for the SQL Server Professional, Part Two
  318. Object-Role Modeling (ORM) for the Database Professional
  319. Business Intelligence
  320. BI Explained
  321. Developing a Data Dictionary
  322. BI Security
  323. Gathering BI Requirements
  324. Source System Extracts and Transforms
  325. ETL Mechanisms
  326. Business Intelligence Landscapes
  327. Business Intelligence Layouts and the Build or Buy Decision
  328. A Single Version of the Truth
  329. The Operational Data Store (ODS)
  330. Data Marts – Combining and Transforming Data
  331. Designing Data Elements
  332. The Enterprise Data Warehouse — Aggregations and the Star Schema
  333. On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP)
  334. Data Mining
  335. Key Performance Indicators
  336. BI Presentation - Client Tools
  337. BI Presentation - Portals
  338. Implementing ETL - Introduction to SQL Server 2005 Integration Services
  339. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 1
  340. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 2
  341. Building a Business Intelligence Solution, Part 3
  342. Tips and Troubleshooting
  343. SQL Server and Microsoft Excel Integration
  344. Tips for the SQL Server Tools: SQL Server 2000
  345. Tips for the SQL Server Tools – SQL Server 2005
  346. Transaction Log Troubles
  347. SQL Server Connection Problems
  348. Orphaned Database Users
  349. Additional Resources
  350. Tools and Downloads
  351. Utilities (Free)
  352. Tool Review (Free): DBDesignerFork
  353. Aqua Data Studio
  354. Microsoft SQL Server Best Practices Analyzer
  355. Utilities (Cost)
  356. Quest Software's TOAD for SQL Server
  357. Quest Software's Spotlight on SQL Server
  358. SQL Server on Microsoft's Virtual PC
  359. Red Gate SQL Bundle
  360. Microsoft's Visio for Database Folks
  361. Quest Capacity Manager
  362. SQL Server Help
  363. Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals
  364. Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator
  365. Aggregating Server Data from the MAPS Tool

In any software product, you need a way to interact with the system. For desktop applications, you'll find that interaction most often consists of a single program, called a User Interface (UI) or Graphical User Interface (GUI). That's fine for a desktop application, but when the product you're using is a platform such as a database engine, one program usually isn't enough. Just like when you build any physical object, you'll use multiple tools based on what you want to do.

Here in the "Tools and Downloads" area I’ll show you several the utilities, programs and downloads that you can use to manage and program your SQL Server Instances. I’ll explain the tools that come with the product, and from time to time I’ll review tools that you can get from other vendors.

Over the years I've found that people who work in technology often have a hobby that is very tactile. These hobbies include cooking, cars, and one I share, woodworking. One data professional told me "I work with intangible, invisible things all day long, using only my mind. Each day, I have to repeat the things I did the day before. I want a hobby where I touch something physical, and when I'm done, I want something to look at!" I agree with that, and in my wood shop I have a lot of tools that help me create things that we use in our home. I've visited a few museums that have nothing but woodworking tools in them. The tools themselves are things of beauty.

I mention all that to bring up that carpenters, years ago, would show up to a job site with their own tools. And "finishing" carpenters (the people who do fine, detailed woodworking) would always make their own toolbox with their tools. The foreman, who would do the hiring for the job, would simply look at the toolbox to see how good a carpenter the person was. It was their calling card.

A good data professional is very familiar and competent with their tools. Our script libraries are our toolboxes, and merely by examining the kind of scripts and other tools we use, our prospective employers can tell a lot about us.

In this section I'll cover those tools; using a category of work for each tool. I've covered some tools, especially those that ship with SQL Server, in other sections of this site. Those tools can perform almost all of the tasks I'll show below, so I'll describe them briefly here and link to those larger overviews.

Microsoft delivers a very rich set of management and development tools with SQL Server. For pure development, you can use Visual Studio, which has database constructs in it. I wouldn't recommend using Visual Studio for administration alone — unless you're just managing a development database and aren't very concerned about backups and automated maintenance.

Tools for Managing and Programming SQL Server

For management tasks, you have several tools you can work with, depending on the version of SQL Server you're using.

For SQL Server 2000, you have five main tools: Enterprise Manager (EM), Query Analyzer (QA), SQL Server Profiler, bcp, and osql. I’ve covered all of those tools here.

Enterprise Manager is the graphical tool of choice for working with Instances and Database objects. You can set and alter your configuration, design databases, create and alter objects like databases and tables, and even create scripts for those objects. You can also create and maintain your users and security using this tool.

Query Analyzer is also a graphical tool, but lets you type Transact-SQL commands and run them. It has facilities for creating and altering scripts, the ability to export the results of a query and more. It also has an "object search" feature, which feels more like it should be in Enterprise Manager.

The osql (ODBC-SQL) command is similar to Query Analyzer, only you run it at the command prompt of the operating system. You can also point it at a script file, and you can tell it to export the results to a file as well. It is well suited for scripting.

The bcp (bulk copy program) command is also used at the operating system command line, and it is used to quickly insert or export large amounts of data into or out of your databases. It's still considered one of the fastest export methods around, and is available even in the latest versions of SQL Server.

SQL Server Profiler is used to "watch" your SQL Server system. You turn it on, capture a "trace", and it will record some or all of the activity in your database. You can save these traces to files or directly to a table in another database.

Starting in SQL Server 2005, Microsoft combined the functions of Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer into a single tool, called SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). SSMS has all of the features found in the previous tools, and since it is based on Visual Studio, it also has other advantages. I’ve covered SSMS and other tools for SQL Server 2005 here, and for SQL Server 2008 and higher here.

SQL Server 2005 and higher also contains the Profiler, which is an improved version of the previous tool.

SQL Server 2005 retained the osql and bcp tools, but osql is being phased out in favor of a new command line tool called sqlcmd. The sqlcmd command-line tool is the preferred method of working at the command line in SQL Server 2008 and higher.

Starting with SQL Server 2008, Microsoft created a PowerShell provider for SQL Server 2008. If you’re new to PowerShell, you can read this series to find out more. I tend to use PowerShell for almost all of my day-to-day administration and management tasks. It works with almost all versions and editions of SQL Server.

OK – those are the tools provided by Microsoft, and I would argue that you can do just about anything you need with your system with those delivered tools alone. In fact, among all of the database systems I've used over my 20+ years in technology, they are easily the best.

However...there are some other tools, some from Microsoft, some from other places, some free, and some not so free, that are incredibly useful. I certainly haven't covered every vendor’s products that work with SQL Server, but I do post reviews of tools that I am familiar with here from time to time. Some of them are my favorites, based on the job I need to get done. Others are useful, but I'm not sure I'd pay extra for them. All of them come in trial versions, so I recommend you read the reviews, download the product if it looks interesting, and try it yourself. I always include a link to the product in the review. I’ll keep them as up to date as I can, but you should always take a look at the vendor’s site to ensure you’re looking at the latest versions.

Tools for Database Design

You can create paper-and pencil data models, but it is far faster to create a design using a graphical tool, and it's even better when those tools can generate the actual objects from the design.

What you want to look for in this kind of tool is the ability to quickly design a simple set of objects, and be able to make the design more complicated later. You want to be able to design in at least two phases: logical and physical. You might also want to look for a tool that lets you design conceptually as well, which is one level above them all. In any case, the tool should use standard notations, such as Unified Markup Language (UML) or Entity Relationship Diagrams (ERD), or both.

This is the area where Microsoft is lacking the most. There are no database design tools in SQL Server (the Database Designer in SSMS not only doesn’t count, but can be harmful), so you’ll need to look elsewhere for tools that can help you design a database. I’ll review the ones I find online in this section. At the moment I use either Visio (another Microsoft, but not SQL Server, product), Quest Software’s Database Designer, or CA’s community release of ER-WIN. There are a few open-source programs I’ve tried for this purpose, but their quality isn’t always that great and they seem to come and go quite frequently.

Tools for Maintenance

Microsoft includes most of what you need to maintain a system right in the product. But if you have to maintain more than one server, or if you have other database platforms that you have to maintain, then you may need to search for something that will do these tasks.

Maintenance on your database system involves proactive actions that you take and reactive actions. On the proactive side, you need to take regular backups of the database and the database log files. You can do that using osql, sqlcmd, PowerShell, Enterprise Manager (EM) and Query Analyzer (QA in SQL Server 2000 and earlier) and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS in SQL Server 2005 and higher). I’ve covered that process, and indeed all of the basic maintenance tasks here.

You also need to maintain your indexes, as shown in that checklist. You can do this with any of the command-line or graphical tools you get right in the box.

There are also reactive tasks you need to do — which I’ve outlined in that same checklist. Once again you can use all of the graphical or command-line tools, and in the case of reviewing the SQL Server “Error Logs” (even though they hold more than just errors) you can even use Notepad, since it’s a series of text files.

So everything you need to do for maintenance for a SQL Server Instance is right in the box. But you can also use third-party applications for some of these tasks, and some are better suited for multiple Instances than SSMS or EM is. The big question to ask about these tools is how they track the release cycles of SQL Server. If they don't keep up with Service Packs or hotfixes, you can get into trouble with them. Also, you want to make sure they can handle mixed Service Pack environments, since you'll certainly run into that in larger shops.

Performance Tuning

This is one place that you can always use a little help. Microsoft has a lot of helps in the later versions of the tools for this function, and third-party vendors go much further as well. It’s probably the single-most exploited toolset for vendors in the environment. I have an entire section of this guide devoted to this process, and in that section I explain the tools you have for performing this task. With the right knowledge, you can use the command-line or graphical tools to investigate and record the performance of your system. I’ll focus on the third-party tools in this section.

You can't apply any of these tools blindly — regardless of how good they are. There is no substitute for understanding how a system works, and where you need to tune it. But these tools are like having more than one kind of saw in a woodshop — sure, they all cut wood, but how they do it can make a difference.

I normally check a system using several tools, and then see where they all agree. Those are areas that you can usually trust, and then you can investigate the areas that the tools point out differently.

Automation

SQL Server comes built-in with an automation system, called the SQL Server Agent. But once again, if you want to manage multiple systems, or work across platforms, a good job system can really help.

As I've mentioned for other products, make sure that the vendor you're looking at keeps pace with various Service Pack levels. Microsoft will often fix something with a Service Pack that can change the behavior of an element of the job scheduling system. This recently happened to me when here in the U.S. the government, in its infinite stupidity, messed around with Daylight Savings Time, which is another infinitely stupid concept from the government. Microsoft patched the system to recognize the change, but the job system I used had already accounted for the change, throwing me off by an hour. That might not seem like much, but in a 24x7 shop, one hour can be a really big deal.

Configuration and Reporting

There are about 50 reports in SQL Server 2005 and higher that can tell you everything you want to know about your system, but they are only reports, they cover only one server at a time, and they don't make any recommendations. This is another area where a good documentation tool can be essential. You'll use this documentation for everything from growth management to planning to system recovery.

I’ll cover several tools that you can use for reporting on SQL Server Instances, and you can of course create your own reports using PowerShell or Reporting Services.

For configuration, you can use any of the command-line tools or graphical tools. For more Instances and their objects, you can set configuration by simply right-clicking an object and selecting “Properties” from the menu that you see.

Disaster Recovery

Whenever you have a disaster, you will most likely use the standard tools that come with SQL Server, unless you have implemented a third-party backup and restore product. I won’t cover many of those here, since they are highly dependent on the version, edition, features and so on that you have installed. Also many of them work with certain kinds of hardware. I will cover any tools that I can test and show here on the site.

So there you have it. For the most part you’ll find everything you need to monitor and manage SQL Server right in the box, but there are vendor tools that can help — and I’ll detail the ones I use right here in this section.

Books and eBooks

From the team that brought you the official documentation; the book Inside SQL Server 2005 Tools shows you the ins and outs of the management tools.

I would be remiss if I didn't recommend my own books here on InformIT that detail how you can use the tools I talk about.

Online Resources

Microsoft has published several tutorials on their tools, which you can find here for SQL Server 2005.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

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Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020