Introduction

Welcome to the world of Microsoft SQL Server! Here is finally a client/server database product that can deliver world-class performance at a price that most enterprises can afford not only to purchase, but also to support. SQL Server’s ease of use, coupled with the incredible feature set that accompanies it, delivers enterprise-level client/server computing to everyone. Microsoft SQL Server Black Book will focus on the tasks involved in harnessing Microsoft SQL Server’s capabilities to create a solid production data server. This book focuses on the current release of Microsoft SQL Server while using many techniques that can be applied as far back as version 4.21. Writing Microsoft SQL Server Black Book has been the most challenging task I have undertaken in a long time. I was asked to write it to fill a void in the market, to deliver a book that focuses on creating production servers with hands-on, step-by-step processes for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Microsoft SQL Server. I have tried to keep the language of the book as plain-English and matter-of-fact as possible, because that is the way I teach. I have supplied you with substantial technical background, while also supplying numerous examples. This book can be used as a tutorial or desktop reference to help you get Microsoft SQL Server to fulfill your organization’s needs. I have been through many classes as a student and as an instructor—about topics ranging from adult learning principles to Microsoft SQL Server Administration. From these classes, I have acquired a great deal of knowledge that can be applied to creating a solid production data server with Microsoft SQL Server. I want to share that with you and help you head off the problems that you may encounter configuring your servers. I am a business owner, a consultant, a DBA, and a teacher’s most likely are many of you. I have fought and continue to fight the same battles that you do on a daily basis. That is why I think this book can be such a great value to you! Hopefully my experience will help you develop solid database systems in your Microsoft SQL Server environment. Each chapter is broken into two sections. The first part of each chapter presents explanatory material about the chapter topics. The second page of this first part is a blank Administrator’s Notes page, for you to write on and refer back to later. The first part of the chapter ends with a Summary section, which is a bulleted list of the important points of the chapter. The second part of each chapter (the Practical Guide) supplies you with some step-by-step tasks that reinforce the content of the chapter and provide hands-on practice. Chapters 1to3 cover the installation and configuration of Microsoft SQL Server for both development and production environments. Chapter 4 explains the setup and terminology needed to implement replication between SQL servers. troubleshooting and tuning skills you will need to support your system over the long haul. One of the points I emphasize in this book is that you can solve any technical problem you are facing with the tools available to you. What are those tools? How do you research answers to your questions? How do you know if you can trust the sources you consult? How do particular features really work, and will they work for you? I cover all these questions and more in the pages of this book. I hope that you enjoy reading it this as much as I have writing it.

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Prerequisites

This book is geared toward readers with a broad range of backgrounds. Many readers may have never worked with Microsoft SQL Server before, so I have tried to write a book that can transform a beginner into a power user. At the same time, I have added plenty of advanced concepts and techniques to each chapter that experienced DBAs can use to get your server running like a thoroughbred. The book assumes a basic understanding of Windows NT. The exercises and examples will run on any machine that can run the client utilities for Microsoft SQL Server

Technical Support

If you find any errors or need further help with any topic in this book, you can reach me on the Internet through lease do not hesitate to send me feedback—whether positive or negative—concerning this book. If you have technical difficulties with the CD-ROM, please contact Robert Clarfield at The Coriolis Group: techsupport@coriolis.com. If you find a problem with one of the products onthe CD-ROM, contact the appropriate vendor through its Web site.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank a few people that have been key in my personal and professional life. Without each of these people I would not have been able to write this book or to have the drive required to succeed in today’s fast-changing technical environment. First, I would like to thank my wife Diane. She has provided support day in and day out for years now. She puts up with my technical side and still loves me for the great big kid that I can be at times. I would also like to express my gratitude to my sister, Cathy, and her husband, Lee. They have both helped me through some troubled times of my life and have given me unwavering
support. I would like to thank a few other individuals who have played significant roles in my life. In my early military career, I had the good fortune of being under the tutelage of Sergeant First Class Howell. He was a Vietnam veteran with great wisdom and patience and a strong work ethic; he has had a profound influence on me. Later, at Cray Computer Corporation, I came to know Bob Hoeglund, for whom I held and still hold a great deal of respect. He gave me the opportunity to learn as much as I could about every aspect of databases and computers and how they work. I would also like to thank all the students in my classes. Without your hard questions and late evenings after class, I would not be the DBA that I am. I would also like to thank Kenny Simms for his valuable assistance in this endeavor. Kenny is a former student. He has contributed hours of research—both on the Internet and in the Knowledge Base—to ensure the quality of the chapters in this book. I would also like to thank Paula Kmetz, Senior Project Editor at The Coriolis Group. Her understanding and patience is the only reason I have completed this book. She has even put up with my sense of humor and comments
throughout the project. Her efforts, and those of others at The Coriolis Group
are greatly appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank my parents. First, my mother, for her support when I was young and for all the sacrifices she made to ensure that I had what I needed for school and all those projects. I would not be the person I am today without the help and confidence my mother gave me. Over the last 15 years or so, my father and I have come to know each other as adults, and I value the friendship we share. He has helped me come to understand what it is like to sacrifice for the good of the ones you love.