Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration

Book description

Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to begin a successful career as an SQL Server database administrator. It's an ideal book for those new to database administration, as well for those moving to SQL Server from other database brands such as Oracle and IBM DB2.

SQL Server is more than just a database. It's situated within a larger context that includes solutions for reporting, for integrating data from other systems, for business intelligence and analysis, and more. Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration paints the big picture to help you understand SQL Server's place in the grand scheme. Then you'll move into the nuts and bolts of installing the product, learning the management tools at your disposal, creating your first database, and maintaining that database in an ongoing state of readiness.

Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration goes beyond teaching just the core competencies of effective database administration. You will also learn the latest trends in SQL Server such as virtualizing and consolidating of servers, and using SQL Server in the cloud as a service. Administrators experienced on other platforms will find insight from comparisons of key features between SQL Server and other platforms. Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration lays an excellent foundation for success as an SQL Server database administrator.

  • Provides the essentials of successful SQL Server administration

  • Covers the latest trends such as virtualization and cloud computing

  • Paints the big picture of Microsoft's data platform

  • Table of contents

    1. Title
    2. Contents at a Glance
    3. Contents
    4. About the Authors
    5. About the Technical Reviewer
    6. Acknowledgments
    7. Introduction
    8. Chapter 1: The Database Administration Profession
      1. Why Do We Need a DBA? Access Runs Great!
      2. What Exactly Does a DBA Do Anyway?
      3. Salary Information
      4. Words from Real-World DBAs
      5. Summary
    9. Chapter 2: Planning and Installing SQL Server 2012
      1. Understanding the Editions
      2. Planning Your Installation
      3. Installing SQL Server Evaluation Edition
      4. Upgrading SQL Server
      5. Summary
    10. Chapter 3: What’s in the Toolbox?
      1. Other Tools from the Start Menu
      2. Command-Line Tools
      3. Summary
    11. Chapter 4: SQL Server Development
      1. Touring SSMS Through the Eyes of a Developer
      2. Data-Tier Applications
      3. SQL Server Developer Tools
      4. SQL Server LocalDB
      5. Summary
    12. Chapter 5: Creating Tables and Other Objects
      1. Navigating the Object Explorer Tree
      2. Scripting the Actions of an SSMS Dialog Box
      3. Transact-SQL (T-SQL) Primer
      4. Creating Tables
      5. Altering Tables
      6. Adding Constraints
      7. Dropping Tables
      8. Creating Indexes
      9. Summary
    13. Chapter 6: Transact-SQL
      1. The VetClinic Sample Database Revisited
      2. Data Types
      3. Data Manipulation Language
      4. Transactions
      5. Stored Procedures
      6. Functions
      7. Triggers
      8. Summary
    14. Chapter 7: SQL Server Internals
      1. Databases
      2. Repairing Corrupt System Databases
      3. Writing Data to Disk
      4. SQL Server Services
      5. Single-User Mode
      6. Summary
    15. Chapter 8: Database Backup Strategies
      1. Defining the Types of Backups
      2. Backing Up the Logs
      3. Automating the Backup Process
      4. Encrypting Backup Files for Security
      5. Compressing Backups to Save Space
      6. Designing a Backup Plan
      7. Summary
    16. Chapter 9: Database Restore Strategies
      1. Restoring a Database from the Management Studio GUI
      2. Specifying Restore Options from the GUI
      3. Restoring a Database Using T-SQL
      4. Restoring Differential Backups
      5. Restoring Log Backups
      6. Restoring File Backups
      7. Testing Backups
      8. Developing a Full Disaster Recovery Plan
      9. Summary
    17. Chapter 10: Common Database Maintenance Tasks
      1. Backing Up and Restoring Databases
      2. Moving Data
      3. Checking Database Integrity
      4. Maintaining Indexes
      5. Distribution Statistics
      6. Creating Maintenance Plans
      7. Scheduling Maintenance Tasks
      8. Creating Log Files
      9. Summary
    18. Chapter 11: SQL Server Security
      1. Terminology
      2. SQL Server Instance Security
      3. Database Security
      4. Summary
    19. Chapter 12: Auditing, Encryption, and Compliance
      1. Auditing in SQL Server
      2. Encryption
      3. Validating Server Configuration
      4. Summary
    20. Chapter 13: Performance Tuning and Optimization
      1. Measuring SQL Server Performance
      2. Tuning Queries
      3. Managing Resources
      4. Summary
    21. Chapter 14: Fault Tolerance
      1. Defining a Service Level Agreement (SLA)
      2. High Availability Features in SQL Server
      3. Configuring an AlwaysOn Availability Group
      4. Summary
    22. Chapter 15: Cloud Computing for the DBA
      1. Cloud Service Models
      2. Windows Azure
      3. Case Study: OCCMundial.com
      4. Case Study: 3M
      5. SQL Azure
      6. Summary
    23. Chapter 16: SQL Server Private Cloud
      1. Virtualization
      2. Resource Pooling
      3. Discovering SQL Server Sprawl
      4. Upgrading SQL Server
      5. Elasticity
      6. Self-Service
      7. Control and Customization
      8. Implementation Options
      9. Summary
    24. Chapter 17: Where to Go Next?
      1. Visit SQL Server Books Online
      2. Keep Up with Public SQL Server Websites
      3. Attend a Conference
      4. Find a Local Users Group
      5. Create a Lab System and Practice
      6. Create a virtual machine using Virtual PC 2007
      7. Get Certified!
      8. Summary
    25. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Beginning SQL Server 2012 Administration
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: May 2012
    • Publisher(s): Apress
    • ISBN: 9781430239819