Mastering Microsoft® SQL Server®

Microsoft's SQL Server is one of the most robust, reliable database management platforms in use today. It has been embraced by organizations worldwide, and technical professionals applaud its vast capabilities for maximizing the functionality and optimizing the performance of their database management systems.

From relational database fundamentals to advanced troubleshooting techniques, we'll cover everything you need to know in order to effectively store, retrieve, secure, and manage your data using SQL Server.

You'll learn how to install and configure SQL Server properly, create databases using the different data types supported by SQL, and work with your data using queries, views, indices, stored procedures, triggers, importing and exporting, partitioning, XML, and much more. We will familiarize you with the new features and powerful capabilities of SQL 2008, and show you how to enhance the integrity and availability of your data using replication, mirroring, notification services, and clustering. If you're new to SQL Server, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to implement this power-packed database platform as soon as you return to the office. If you're already a user, you'll uncover helpful tips, tools, and strategies while mastering advanced techniques the pros use to fully utilize everything this system has to offer.

This course was created to give IT professionals a solid, working knowledge of SQL Database Administration — swiftly and economically. Sure, you could spend hundreds of dollars more and attend a SQL training program that's 3, 4, even 5 days long … but why bother? In this intensive, focused workshop, we've cut out tedious theory, irrelevant information, and boring lecture. Instead, using fast-paced, attention-grabbing adult learning techniques, we'll get you up to speed on SQL in just 2 days. We guarantee it!

Mastering Microsoft SQL Server — Seminar Overview

Day 1

Introduction to SQL: Selecting a Relational Database Management System
Installing SQL
Configuring SQL
Spotlighting Important New Features of SQL 2008

Day 2

Creating a Database
Working with Data and Reporting
Managing Your Microsoft SQL Server
Ensuring Data Integrity, Availability, and Security

Day 1

Introduction to SQL: Selecting a Relational Database Management System

How Microsoft's SQL Server compares to other server options (such as Oracle and IBM) currently in use today
Is Microsoft SQL right for you? How to choose the right database platform for your organization
Which of the editions (Standard, Enterprise, Express, Work Group, Web, Developer) is the right one for your business
The pros and cons of each of the SQL versions and the normal uses and benefits of each version

Installing SQL

System requirements and prerequisites for SQL Server 2008
What to watch out for when installing SQL
How to use the Upgrade Analysis Tool when upgrading from a previous version of SQL Server or switching over to SQL from another platform, such as Oracle
Essential information about local and remote SQL servers
Space requirements on the C:\ drive
How SQL 2008's preliminary system check helps you head off problems before they happen during setup
The necessity of Service Pack 1
How to change the installed components with Add/Remove Programs

Back to Seminar Overview

Configuring SQL

An overview of Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
The Management Console: how to use it and where common tools and features are located
Tips for using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Demonstration: Maintenance Plan Creation
Tighter security, right out of the box: how to enable new features of SQL Server, such as CLR Integration and xp_cmdshell
A look at the Surface Area Configuration Tool and Reporting Services Configuration Tool
DTS backward compatibility — how to determine whether your system needs it, and how to access this extra feature if it does

Spotlighting Important New Features of SQL 2008

Data types: XML, MAX Data types: XML, MAX size value, varbinary (MAX), varchar (MAX)
CLR (.NET) integration
Try/Catch for T-SQL statements
2-node Clustering (available in Standard Edition)
Database Mirroring
Increased Memory Usability with automatic AWE
How the Database Snapshot works
DDL Triggers: description and usage
MERGE Operator
Change Data Capture
Table-Valued Parameters
Conflict Detection in Peer-to-Peer Replication
Spatial data with GEOGRAPHY and GEOMETRY data types
Virtual Earth Integration
Sparse Columns
Filtered Indexes
Integrated Full-Text Search
FILESTREAM Data
Large User-Defined Types (UDTs)
CLR User-Defined Types
DATE/TIME Data Types
Improved XML Support

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Day 2

Creating a Database

2 methods for creating a simple database — by Script and through the Management Console
The correct way to set the Primary and Foreign keys
The different data types supported by SQL, and how to create custom data types if needed

Working with Data and Reporting

How to create tables with new data types
Tips on importing and exporting data into your tables
When you're using XML: document examples
What you should know about working with Views, Indexes, Stored Procedures, and Triggers
Queries using Try/Catch
How to use Report Builder
OLAP Reports
A look at Office Integration

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Managing Your Microsoft SQL Server

The role of the Enterprise Manager in monitoring server activity
How the SQL Server Logs can help you troubleshoot potential server problems
Tips for setting up an automatic database maintenance plan to handle routine maintenance tasks
The built-in reports in Management Console
How to use the Database Tuning Advisor (DTA)

Ensuring Data Integrity, Availability, and Security

The pros and cons of Replication, Mirroring, Notification Services, and Clustering — plus, how and why to use each solution
How to establish data access and apply permissions
SQL Server's different security levels
What you can do to ensure security through linked servers
Strategies for creating and managing your security accounts with the Enterprise Manager
Where potential security breaches are most likely to occur, and the best ways to prevent them
New Group Policy Enforcement: a look at Password Complexity, Invalid Login Attempts, and Expiration
Schemas for advanced security — how they work, how to implement them

Back to Seminar Overview

To find out more about Mastering Microsoft SQL Server, contact our customer service department at customerservice@pryor.com or by phone at (800) 780-8476.