Tech4Him – Technology with Integrity

Presenter: Matt Masson
http://blogs.msdn.com/mattm/

Starting up a new project with SQL Server Integration Services? Save time and money by learning about how to avoid common issues that users hit when implementing their ETL solutions. Drawing on the most frequently asked questions in the MSDN Integration Services forum and some of the more interesting packages we’ve seen over the years, well highlight common mistakes, clear up some misconceptions, and provide best practices to help you efficiently and effectively use Integration Services. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 10% [?]

Presenter: Brian Knight
bknight@pragmaticworks.com

Is your customer looking for drag and drop reports or capabilities inside of Excel. SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is the answer for you then. You’ll be amazed how quickly you can develop sophisticated reports after watching the basics of this session. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 10% [?]

Presenter: Matt Masson
http://blogs.msdn.com/mattm/

This talk describes the new MERGE statement and Change Data Capture (CDC) feature introduced in SQL Server 2008, and how to take advantage of them in SQL Server Integration Services. Well cover the traditional ways of doing incremental data loads, and see how these new key features make the process a whole lot easier. If you’re interested in learning best practices for this new SQL Server 2008 functionality, you won’t want to miss this session! Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

Not sure how I missed this on 4/7/2009, but SP1 is now available for SQL Server 2008. Important to some are change to the deployment and management options of the SP. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 4% [?]

As previously posted, we have embarked on a project that includes the upgrade and consolidation of SQL Server machines from version 2000 and 2005 to a single server running SQL Server 2008. We have been performing testing to find the optimal path for performing these tasks.

This series of articles present our findings and processes as we performed them. These processes may not be optimal nor preferred in other installations, but they represent the best case for our particular assignment. As such, we certainly welcome feedback.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 12% [?]

The MSDN Webcast from September 8, 2008 is the third in a series entitled “SQL Server 2008 Tips & Tricks” focuses on Reporting Services 2008.

Presentation and slide content by IT Mentors

1. SSRS 2008 Architecture/Runtime
2. Configuration
3. New Controls
a. Tablix
b. Gauges and Indicators
4. Deployment

### Benefits of Eliminating IIS from the SSRS Architecture
* Easier configuration
* IIS settings for other applications impact SSRS
* Better resource management
* IIS designed for static or dynamic HTML pages, not report execution for large reports to many concurrent users.
* Memory management easier to implement outside of IIS
* Consolidation of two services into one
* Communication process between services eliminated
* More efficient allocation of memory across server
* Elimination of deployment obstacles
* SQL Server DBAs lacking IIS skills
* IT policies prevent IIS and SQL Server on same server

### Architecture
* HTTP Listener
* Uses HTTP.SYS directly from the operating system
* Accepts requests directed to the configured URL and port
* Authentication Layer
* Confirms identity associated with request
* Supports Windows, Basic, or anonymous Access with a custom authentication
* Application Domains
* Provide a front-end component with Report Manager
* Process reports interactively with Report Server Web service
* Support scheduled operations with background processing
* Application Domain Management
* Replaces IIS functionality

Notes: Speaker does not discuss the complications that running IIS and SSRS 2008 on the same server. Instead he talks about how they both can run on the same server. Might want to be sure you understand the complications that can arise from both on the same server, especially when it comes to SSL needs.

### Configuration
* Memory Management
* Disabling Features

Notes: Speaker states the obvious about the importance of these items. Disabling features = reducing surface area.

### Memory Management
* Memory Broker monitors and responds to memory pressure fluctuations
* Memory events trigger switch from RAM to file system cache as needed
* Configurable thresholds determine report server response to memory pressure changes

Notes: Good simplistic explanation of these by the speaker. Might want to research a bit more if you really need to tweak memory optimization for peak performance.

* Low Memory Pressure
* Current requests continue
* New Requests accepted
* Background low priority
* Medium Memory Pressure
* Current requests continue
* New requests _might_ be accepted
* Memory allocations reduced for all applications
* Background items get the largest reduction
* High Memory Pressure
* Current requests continue
* No new requests accepted

Notes: Good explanation and slide for this concept.

### Configure Memory Settings

Notes: Speaker shows you the what to change in the config file but neglects to say which config files is being changed and where it is located. The correlating MSDN article on this topic is located here.

Information on the RSReportServer.config file can also be found on MSDN.

### Disabling Features
* Report Manager
* RSReportServer.config
* IsReportManagerEnabled
* On Demand Processing
* RSReportServer.config
* IsWebServiceEnabled
* Scheduled Events and Report Delivery
* RSReportServer.config
* IsSchedulingService
* IsNotificationService
* IsEventService
* Report Builder
* SQL Server Management Studio
* Server Properties
* Report Server Windows Service
* SQL Server Configuration Manager

Notes: One might want to consider the “Why?” on each of these to determine appropriate use cases for enabling or disabling. Now the speaker shows where the config file is.

Demos were done for memory configuration settings and the Tablix control.

Lots of good gauges and indicators available thanks to the new Dundas obtained controls.

Finally discussion about the rs command line tool for deployment.

Popularity: 43% [?]

As we move down this SQL Server 2008 upgrade road I am trying to learn from previous projects of other versions and not take anything for granted. So, I am taking the time to research upgrade paths and issues as we look at moving forward.

First I needed to check and see if there is a supported upgrade path from SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition Evaluation to the full licensed product. Indeed there is according to this MSDN article. That may make an in place test to production scenario plausible.

Another MSDN article provide a bunch of food for thought regarding the upgrading of Reporting Services.

In our case, we are needing to upgrade and move servers. From what I have read so far, I am thinking that it would be best to upgrade the existing SSRS 2005 server to 2008 and then move Reporting Services to the new server. This MSDN Article refers to the migration process.

Apparently the Reporting Services database creates stored procedures during its creation that refer to the actual Reporting Services DB name. Because of this, you cannot easily change the Reporting Services database name when moving SSRS to another server.

“You cannot rename the report server database. The identity of the database is recorded in report server stored procedures when the database is created. Renaming either the report server primary or temporary databases will cause errors to occur when the procedures run, invalidating your report server installation.”

Another quirk to our installation is that we use SSL for report delivery. This TechNet article describes the SSL certificate configuration process in SSRS 2008. Keep in mind that since SSRS no longer runs on IIS, having IIS installed on the server running SSRS may complicate life. Specifically when running SSL, also running IIS causes a service dependency.

Popularity: 8% [?]

So I have a few minutes to decompress and give kudos to the great folks at SSWUG.org for putting on a great vConf. What’s a vConf? You mean you don’t know?

Well, take a look at the partner site at vConferenceOnline.com. They’ve got a great setup going. Essentially the pre-tape each session in the studio. That way the quality is controlled and ends up great. (Next one is slated to be in HD). Then they have created an asp based solution (Gotta wonder why ASP?  ) that handles making the appropriate “rooms” available at the appropriate times during the actual virtual conference. All from the comfort of home, the office, the library or even your favorite coffee shop.

This time, they ran 3 rooms simultaneously for the Business Intelligence conference I attended. The format allows the first half of the day to have these sessions running. The second half of the day the re-run the first half of the day. This way you get a chance to see secondary sessions that may have been running at the same time in the morning.

There were actually 4 conferences going on at the same time. A SQL Server, Business Intelligence, .Net Developer and MS Sharepoint were all available. Each conference was a separate registration fee but for the price you cannot beat it.

Well, take a look at the partner site at vConferenceOnline.com. They’ve got a great setup going. Essentially the pre-tape each session in the studio. That way the quality is controlled and ends up great. (Next one is slated to be in HD). Then they have created an asp based solution (Gotta wonder why ASP?  ) that handles making the appropriate “rooms” available at the appropriate times during the actual virtual conference.

The video quality is very good and continues to improve. The content distribution network they are using seems to be quite well suited for such multimedia distribution. Note, you’re going to need some decent bandwidth to get the best quality.

There are set times for exhibitor booth visits which has gone through a great overhaul this time. On demand vendor videos, downloads and of course vendor chat rooms.

Here’s the best part. 3 days for one conference was $100, actually $10 less since I’ve been to the previous two. That’s a BARGAIN when you consider typical conference costs, meals, lodging, travel and more. You certainly do miss out on the personal interaction however they are working on ideas for that. Currently during each presentation, appropriate chat rooms are available for participants and the speaker.

So, yup, I’ll continue to go as long as the quality of the experience and information remains high. Kudos to those who helped put it on.

Kudos Stephen Wynkoop, Chris Shaw and the rest of the gang.

Popularity: 5% [?]