Welcome to the material supporting page for this session. The materials on this page have been selected as the best matches to the content covered in the live event session.
Session Outline
In this session, we will cover several new features in SQL Server 2005 that can increase the scalability of many database solutions. We will look at tables and indexes and how they can be segmented into partitions on disk, so that they can be accessed separately, and so many operations will no longer need to read the entire object on disk. We will also see how SQL Server 2005 has many improvements to replication that can increase scalability. Merge replication, in particular, features many new improvements that can significantly improve performance. In addition, true peer-to-peer replication topologies are now possible that can increase scalability and availability for both read and write transactions. We will also look at another new feature, database snapshots, which allows for a consistent point-in-time view of data. Database snapshots, while not a scalability feature, can increase scalability when used with database mirroring. The session also covers Locking and blocking ,which are often a major obstacle for scalable database solutions. To reduce the impact of locking, optimistic concurrency controls have been implemented. Optimistic concurrency controls reduce locking by allowing read queries to query row versions of data that are maintained in tempdb. We will also cover several other improvements to SQL Server 2005 which can also increase scalability. These include several index enhancements like improved indexed views, nonkey columns allowed in indexes, and persisted computed columns. Each of these enhancements can improve scalability in certain situations.
Use the following resources to learn more about topics covered in this briefing.
Microsoft Press Books
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrator's Pocket Consultant
Summary: Your one-volume guide to planning, deployment, administration, and support. Get your mission-critical databases up and running quickly with this essential, single-volume guide. This comprehensive administrators reference details features and capabilities of SQL Server 2005, including how to implement business intelligence applications. It delivers the easy-to-follow procedures, practical workarounds, and key troubleshooting tactics you need for on-the-job-results.
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-444): Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Summary: Your 2-in-1 Self-Paced Training Kit. Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCTS Exam 70-444 and on the job. Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce what you've learned by applying your knowledge to real-world case scenarios and practice exercises.
MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-443): Designing a Database Server Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Summary: Your 2-in-1 Self-Paced Training Kit. Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCITP Exam 70-443 and on the job. Work at your own pace through a series of lessons and reviews that fully cover each exam objective. Then, reinforce what you've learned by applying your knowledge to real-world case scenarios and practice exercises. This official Microsoft study guide is designed to help you make the most of your study time.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Database Essentials Step by Step
Summary: Your hands-on, step-by-step guide to learning the fundamentals of SQL Server 2005 programming. Get the guidance you need to start designing databases-one step at a time. With this practical tutorial, you'll teach yourself the core skills for building and managing databases with the next generation of SQL Server.
Third-Party Books
SQL Server 2005 Distilled
Summary: SQL Server 2005 Distilled offers realistic insight into every significant aspect of SQL Server 2005: its new features, architecture, administrative tools, security model, data management capabilities, development environment, and much more.
Sample Chapter
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 A Beginner's Guide
Summary: This bestselling beginner's guide gets users up and running on SQL Server 2005. The book covers database concepts, and discusses key topics for new users including the SQL Server Workbench, T-SQL, automated administration tasks, security, and analysis.
Sample Chapter
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 The Complete Reference
Summary: Filled with practical solutions and real-world examples, this resource includes full details on: Enterprise data management capabilities, including security and clustering Powerful developer tools -- T-SQL, .NET CLR, XML, ADO.NET 2.0 Business Intelligence features, such as Integration Services, data warehousing, and reports.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services 2005
Summary: With coverage of everything from installation to administration, the book demonstrates how to use this powerful server-based reporting solution to improve business decision-making and facilitate company-wide -- even worldwide -- communication.
Sample Chapter