Enjoy!

Figure 1 – SQL Server Installation Center

Figure 2 – Setup Discovery Report

]]> https://sqlgator.com/2013/02/07/sql-features-discovery-report/feed/ 0 2148 sqlgator InstallTools DiscoveryReport https://sqlgator.com/2012/12/02/microsoft-license-advisor/ https://sqlgator.com/2012/12/02/microsoft-license-advisor/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:40:59 +0000 http://sqlgator.com/?p=1921 Looking to upgrade to SQL Server 2012 but you are not sure how much it costs or how the licensing works?  Try the Microsoft License Advisor.  Even if you are not upgrading, this is a fun little utility especially if you want to see what everyone else is paying.  If you want some real fun look at what charities and academia pays for their licenses.  Enjoy!

1. Use the WITH CHECKSUM option on your backup scripts.  Read Paul Randall’s The Importance of Validating Backups article on SQL Server Central for more information.
2. Use the RESTORE VERIFYONLY command (although we use Ola Hallengren’s Backup Solution which is the verify option which runs the command).
3. Use the WITH CHECKSUM on the RESTORE command to recheck the page checksums in the backup as well as the backup file.
4. Automate or manually restore your databases from scratch on a regular basis.  (This is where we are lacking and where I want to take my servers).
5. Once you have restored, then run DBCC CHECKDB against the restored database.

If you are not doing all five then you cannot say confidently that your backups are verified.  However, if you are doing all five keep in mind that there is no fool proof guarantee against corruption, this merely minimizes the destruction by having viable backups.  I hope this helps….Enjoy!

I hope you are enjoying this long weekend, I know I am.

Here you can see that there are many nice built-in code snippets included off the shelf.  The tool allows you to insert the XML formatted snippets (a la Visual Studio).   Click here for information on how to create your own snippets from the MSDN.  Personally I think the interface should have the functionality to just insert snippets of code like other add-in tools, however it is better than what we had previously off-the-shelf.

Figure 1 – Code Snippet Manager

This looks great but there is no insert button to put these snippets into my code, I tried.  So how do I enter the code into the query editor as I type?  Hold the control button (CTRL) and then press the K and then X to begin the insert, and yes I know this is an awkward key combination (what where they thinking).  See figure 2 and choose a category of snippets.

Figure 2 – Insert Snippet

After choosing a category then choose a snippet (see figure 3).

Figure 3 – Choose a Snippet

After choosing your snippet, it will be inserted into the query editor (see Figure 4).  At this point you can customize the snippet to fit your code and you are done!  Enjoy!

Figure 4 – The Finished Snippet

Here is the visual upgrade guide, quite simple really, so much so that even I can do it.

The update completed easily and successfully.  Enjoy!

In addition we are now being asked to prepare a proof of concept comparing the migration of ArcGIS SDE on Oracle currently to SQL Server or PostgreSQL.  I will be building a machine with each and running some tests.  Does anyone know any downsides to PostgreSQL compared to our beloved SQL Server that I can point out?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

We do have some SQL databases developed in-house, but being predominantly an Oracle shop, most of our SQL Server databases are vendor provided.  We have set forth the initiative to do all new development solely in SQL Server for cost savings.  Additionally, we  have begun moving some of the vendor provided databases to SQL Server.  However, those are also at the mercy of vendors.  My latest project only supports SQL Server 2008, not even R2.  This is very frustrating from an enterprise DBA standpoint.  I want to move forward!  Enjoy!

If you are reading my blog regularly then you know all about my love for SQL Server learning, so obviously I had to attend this event. So far I have learned a few things to make this outing worth the drive for me. Oh who am I kidding, this is SQL Server training that in itself was worth the drive and a day out of the office.

Here are some things that I have learned today:

1. Server Core for 2012 is amazing and I am ready to deploy it when I return to the office!
2. PowerShell for 2012 will add functionality that makes it more attractive than the current GUI tools.
3. PowerShell is not the horrible tool that I thought it was….there is no reason for me not to use it more to be more efficient.

The day is not over yet so maybe there is still more awesomeness to come! Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Download: Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Best Practices Analyzer – Microsoft Download Center – Download Details.

With the grandfathering process, there will be a concerted push to build some new clusters so that they may be grandfathered in as well, especially since we found out that our new acceptance cluster did not count against our licenses if we had the appropriate MSDN licenses for our three SQL DBAs.  Personally, I was worried that the new licensing structure may derail some of management’s plans to reduce our Oracle footprint onto SQL Server.  If that had been derailed, my plans for global domination would have once again been thwarted by those darn meddling kids.  Or was that just old man Smithers channeling through me again?

Enjoy!

I tip my hat to Microsoft for this virtual launch platform was pretty nifty.  However it did lack the free t-shirt and pen raid I usually make on the Expo Hall floor because frankly who doesn’t love free SWAG!  I still have to set up a new virtual environment so I can begin playing with the SQL Server 2012 RTM, which was also available for download.

Now onto Apple, with the popularity of the iPad and iPhone, you would think that they would scale out their infrastructure to be able to accommodate the deluge of traffic to their store and website.  With enough money to buy this country, they could have a better solution to these woes.  I had to actually wait a couple of hours before I could buy my new iPad.  Oh, the horror.

Enjoy!

I personally will wait a few hours to let the servers catch a breath with some restored bandwidth. What about you?

Personally I will be setting up a Windows 2008R2 virtual lab running SQL Server 2012 and migrating the VMDK to my desktop and laptop probably. What are your plans? Do you plan to download 2012? Are you excited about Denali going RTM?

The following week, I will be standing up two new SQL Server 2008 R2 clusters for a huge project that will impact the future of SQL Server in my organization.  This is a pivotal project and it is my first time standing up clusters on my own as I have maintained clusters but never built them on my own.  For this reason, we have asked our Microsoft Premier Field Engineer to assist and I will be soaking up her knowledge as we build a solid production and acceptance cluster environments.  If that project is successful, we will then look to move more of our Oracle systems to SQL Server and my plan for world domination will be set in motion.

And finally on the week after that we will be meeting with Microsoft again to discuss our plans to move to SQL Server 2012 and help management understand the new pricing structure.  Hopefully we will be able to move forward and onto the next version of SQL Awesomeness.  These next three weeks will be pivotal for my career, time to dominate!  Enjoy!

Since my agency is in the process of implementing 2008R2 boxes replacing our 2005 boxes, we are in the forefront of available technology today. However, in a few months we will once again be one version behind. I can live with that, but my learning must continue. I have been planning on setting up a 2012 lab where I can be ready for the day that we migrate these new boxes.

The reality is that we must keep learning, we must keep moving, and we must remain relevant. Keep up the good work and enjoy!