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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

Most DBAs are looking for a way to locate the installations of SQL Server in their organization. They need to find and document all of these servers, including the versions, the editions, the amount of CPU’s on the system, the amount of RAM and so on.

In the past, I’ve used three methods to do this:

  1. Build my own
  2. Use Microsoft’s MOM (Now System Center Operations Manager, or SCOM)
  3. Use a third-party product like Spotlight on SQL Server from Quest

All of these work, and in fact I’ve switched in and out between them. And sometimes I’ve even used a couple of them in tandem, because one solution might not have all of the information I need.

Each of these solutions offers advantages and disadvantages. Building my own system provided the most flexibility, and not counting my development time, the least cost. But it also is very proprietary, and unless I spent time documenting it well was not continued beyond my tenure as the company DBA.

Using SCOM (what Microsoft Operations Manager became) is a great solution, especially when you can “stack” the database in with other components such as network equipment and Windows Servers to see an entire line of business application. But it is not as comprehensive in its monitoring and control of the SQL Server system, especially when you factor in the new features in SQL Server 2008 like Policy Based Management and the Management Data Warehouse. I have no doubt that the System Center product will eventually “know” about these features, but as of this writing, it does not. And of course there is a cost to buy the product, and the time spent learning and implementing it, in addition to the hardware needed to run it.

I have used (and written about) other products that monitor SQL Server, such as Spotlight on SQL Server, from Quest. These are also great solutions, but they also do not know about the new features in SQL Server 2008, they have a relatively high cost, and they require hardware to run and time to learn.

So which route do I take now? Well, there are considerations, of course. Perhaps my firm already has System Center for other purposes, or perhaps the DBA team is already familiar with another third party product. In those cases, the decision is pretty simple — go with what you have, or go with what you know, and supplement with the tools and features in the product.

But if you’re like me, you might not have any budget right now, and only an anemic machine in the corner to run your system. And... I have a few more requirements than just performance data. I want a system that does it all, from one location.

So what I’m going to do is use the data I collected in that MAPS tool evaluation I wrote about some time ago. You can read that entire article here, but the upshot is that the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator (MAPS) is a free tool from Microsoft that will run across a series of IP addresses, lists of servers, or even an Active Directory OU to find systems that have SQL Server installed — from version 2000 and higher. It then creates these awesome reports that show all that data, from the version and edition installed all the way down to the CPU and memory installed on the Instance.

So I thought I would try and leverage that data. I’ll run the MAPS tool on my network, and find the Instances of SQL Server I have installed. I would like to store all that data in a single location, so I decided to do some research to find out where all that data comes from, and where it ends up.

The Investigation

Before I begin, it’s important to note that I’m going after data that was generated by a specific version of a tool that is not a Microsoft SQL Server product. The point is that if I develop a procedure or process based on that tool, it might break someday if that tool ever changes. And of course it will change.

So the most important thing to know about the process I’m describing is the version of the MAPS tool. The version I used to inventory my SQL Server systems is: 3.2.2315.0. That’s important because of some decisions I’ll make along the way.

The main decision I have is where to get my data from. In the article I wrote on this tool earlier, you’ll see that the tool produces two reports when it is run for a SQL Server inventory, one in Microsoft Word and the other in Microsoft Excel.

The first approach I thought about what extracting the data from the Excel spreadsheet. I considered the Word document; but it only shows things like the number of versions and some other high-level data. Great for reporting what we have installed to the boss, but not as useful for the kind of detailed data I am after.

As I reviewed the Excel spreadsheet the tool makes, I found that it contains a lot of useful information, including:

  • SQL Server Component Name
  • Number of instances
  • Computer Name
  • SQL Server Instance Name
  • SQL Server Product Name
  • SQL Server Version Number
  • SQL Server Service Pack
  • SQL Server Edition
  • Clustered?
  • Language
  • Machine Type
  • SQL Server Sub-Directory
  • SQL Service State
  • SQL Service Start Mode
  • Current Operating System
  • Operating System Service Pack Level
  • Operating System Architecture Type
  • Number of Processors
  • Number of Cores
  • Number of Logical Processors CPU
  • System Memory (MB)
  • Logical Disk Drive Name
  • Logical Disk Size (GB)
  • Logical Disk Free Space (GB)

That’s quite a lot of information about a system, and I have a lot of choices about how to get the data. I can store the Excel files after each evaluation on my “Central Management Server” and then run a query from SQL Server to attach directly to the spreadsheet, I can import the data from the spreadsheet using SQL Server Integration Services, or I can export the data to a flat-text file in Excel and then import the data with BCP. I can even use PowerShell to open the spreadsheet, open SQL Server, and transfer the data that way.

But I began to wonder about the fact that the MAPS tool installs SQL Server Express edition when it runs. Perhaps that’s where the data is stored for all those spreadsheets and Word documents.

And in fact it is. I opened the SQL Server Configuration Management tool on my MAPS system, and there was the name of the Instance — MAPS. So I connected to that database using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and began to explore. I found the name of the database I installed when I set up the MAPS product, and began to explore the relationships in the tables there.

I normally always start with the views on a system when I want to look at the data it contains. I don’t normally use the stored procedures, since they are code and technically belong to the vendor, and many times they not only return data, but insert, delete or update data as well. I want to ensure that I’m in a “read only” mode.

The views I found in this database didn’t help me all that much. In fact, many of them returned no data at all. That makes sense, since the MAPS tool has the ability to evaluate everything from Microsoft Office to Vista and even Virtualization.

So that left me with the tables. What I did to evaluate them was to use the Database Diagram feature in SQL Server 2008 to pull in all of the tables into a diagram, and that showed me the links that the Primary and Foreign keys had. I then did a SELECT from each table with a TOP 10 limit to see which ones had data.

Armed with that knowledge, I began to pull out the data that I wanted to see.

The Tables

What I found in my discoveries was that there was one main table that seems to store all of the data the other primary tables link to. I also found that some of the columns contained pointers to other data using a numeric system, so I excluded that data for the time being. For instance, in the table that shows the installed software on the machine, there’s a column called install_state, which is numeric. I don’t know what those mean, so I did not include them.

But what I was left with was a rich selection of data — very useful for my monitoring solution, so that I can find out things like service pack numbers, CPU counts and so on. I can even find information about drive space, although it isn’t always easy to find out the unit the space is stored in.

The way I documented this information was in a grid, showing the table name, the information I found that it stored, and how it was linked to other tables. Here is that grid, and then in the section that follows I’ll show you a few of the queries I used to get the information I wanted as an example. I won’t show all columns, since some of them were empty, and others had those numeric or code references. If you’re interested in doing the same thing, you can install the MAPS tool and then perform an inventory on your own systems. Then you can explore more of these columns.

Columns

device_number

ad_dns_host_name

ad_domain_name

ad_fully_qualified_domain_name

bios_manufacturer

bios_name

bios_release_date

bios_serial_number

bios_version

boot_device

boot_rom_supported

build_number

computer_system_name

csd_version

current_language

dns_host_name

free_physical_memory

free_virtual_memory

last_bootup_time

local_datetime

model

number_of_processors

number_of_users

operating_system

operating_system_service_pack

organization

os_architecture

os_caption

os_install_date

os_manufacturer

roles

service_pack_major_version

service_pack_minor_version

smbios_asset_tag

system_device

system_directory

system_drive

total_physical_memory

workgroup

device_number

clustered

create_datetime

dns_host_name

instanceid

iswow64

language

servicename

skuname

splevel

sqlservicetype

version

device_number

capacity

create_datetime

data_width

device_locator

speed

tag

total_width

device_number

address_width

create_datetime

current_clock_speed

data_width

description

device_id

l2_cache_size

l2_cache_speed

l3_cache_size

l3_cache_speed

manufacturer

max_clock_speed

name

number_of_cores

number_of_logical_processors

processor_id

revision

version

device_number

bytes_per_sector

capability_descriptions

caption

compression_method

create_datetime

default_block_size

description

device_id

interface_type

manufacturer

media_loaded

media_type

model

name

partitions

pnp_device_id

scsi_bus

scsi_logical_unit

scsi_port

scsi_target_id

sectors_per_track

signature

size

total_cylinders

total_heads

total_sectors

total_tracks

tracks_per_cylinder

device_number

caption

compressed

create_datetime

description

device_id

file_system

free_space

name

quotas_disabled

quotas_incomplete

quotas_rebuilding

size

supports_disk_quotas

supports_file_based_compression

volume_name volume_serial_number

device_number

caption

create_datetime

description

desktop_interact

display_name

name

path_name

start_mode

start_name

started

state

device_number

caption

create_datetime

description

install_date

install_location

name

vendor

version

Table Name

Data it Shows

Related Table(s)

Key

Devices

This is the main table, and it shows multiple items such as the

sql_assessments

physical_memory

processors

disk_drives

logical disks

disk_partitions

services

services_details


device_number

sql_assessments

Shows SQL Server specific information

devices

device_number

physical_memory

Memory Chips installed in the system

devices

device_number

processors

Processor hardware information

devices

device_number

disk_drives

Physical disk drive information

devices

device_number

logical disks

Logical Disk Drives information

devices

device_number

services

The Windows Services that are installed and their states.

devices

device_number

products

Major software packages installed on this system.

devices

device_number

Sample Queries

Right now I’m leaving the data in the MAPS tables, and just using these queries when I need them. In the future, I’ll pull the data out and store it in my own tables, and then refresh the data in my “Central Management Server” from time to time for the data space, drive space and so on. In fact, I’ll probably just use the Management Data Warehouse feature for that data.

But in any case, these queries are examples of what I can get out of this database — very handy! There is much more here, of course, but this will demonstrate a little of what you can find out.

 /* SQL Server Instance Information */
SELECT DISTINCT
device_number
, [clustered]
, create_datetime
, dns_host_name
, instanceid
, iswow64
, [language]
, servicename
, skuname
, splevel
, CASE sqlservicetype
WHEN 1 THEN 'Engine'
 WHEN 2 THEN 'Agent'
WHEN 3 THEN 'FTS'
WHEN 4 THEN 'SSIS'
WHEN 5 THEN 'SSAS'
WHEN 6 THEN 'SSRS' 
WHEN 7 THEN 'SQLBrowser'
END 
, version
FROM sql_assessments
ORDER BY dns_host_name

/* Show SQL Servers by 64 or 32 bit, by OS installed 32 or 64 bit */
SELECT DISTINCT 
a.instanceid
, skuname
, b.os_architecture
FROM sql_assessments a
INNER JOIN devices b
ON a.device_number = b.device_number
ORDER BY instanceid

/* Show other software installed on a SQL Server */
SELECT DISTINCT
b.dns_host_name
,a.name
,a.vendor
,a.version
FROM products a
INNER JOIN sql_assessments b
ON a.device_number = b.device_number
ORDER BY a.name

InformIT Articles and Sample Chapters

Rich Schiesser has a great tutorial on inventorying your hardware in the (now defunct) InformIT IT Management Reference Guide. You can find the full installment still online with this direct link, however.

Books and eBooks

Rich Schieser also wrote IT Systems Management: Designing, Implementing, and Managing World-Class Infrastructures, from which you can find an excerpt on software inventories in the aforementioned InformIT IT Management Reference Guide.

Online Resources

The MAPS software is a free download from here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb977556.aspx.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

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