Applied Visual Studio Team System : SSIS 2008

Attending the PASS Summit

andy — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 08:33:00 GMT

Steve Jones makes some good points in his blog post Training. I find it difficult to believe the short-sightedness of some organizations when it comes to training events like the PASS Summit.

This year's Summit - like all previous years to date - had enough top notch presentations and labs to make it worth the cost of admission, travel and expenses, and the cost of allowing a database professional to leave work for three days combined. More than enough.

Like Steve, I don't get it.

Also like Steve, I bet we'll see these DBAs at the 2008 PASS Summit in Seattle - and working for another company.

I wonder if those responsible for denying database professionals opportunities for training factor in the cost of hiring and training a new DBA every six to eighteen months?

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: EMPs Database Professionals PASS Training Changing Jobs

SQL Server 2008 July CTP

andy — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:34:00 GMT

The SQL Server 2008 July CTP has been released at Microsoft Connect!

Read about new stuff in this CTP at SQL Server 2008 Improvement Pillars.

The pillars themselves shed some light on the improvements in store with SQL Server 2008:

I can't wait to dig in!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags:

Comparing The SSIS 2008 Script Task to the SSIS 2005 Script Task

andy — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:01:00 GMT

A couple differences leap out from the screen shots:

The General and Script pages have changed position in the Page List - Script now comes up first. It now takes one less click to get to the actual script window. Good job SSIS Team!
The SSIS 2008 uses VSTA instead of the VSA scripting engine. This means you can now write scripts in C#.

The SSIS 2005 Script Task:

The SSIS 2008 Script Task:

I have not stressed this task yet, but that is in the plans. I anticipate performance improvements across the board!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Katmai SQL Server 2008 Script Task C#

Andy's SQL Server 2008 June CTP Risk-Averse Installation

andy — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:01:00 GMT

So, you have the SQL Server 2008 June CTP bits and you cannot wait to install them and start tinkering! Spend some time first with the ReadMe files - please.

One thing you will note right away: side-by-side installation is not supported. In fact, I tried uninstalling SQL Server 2005 on a VPC before installing SQL Server 2008 - no dice. Everything but the workstation tools installs, durnit!

I ended up building a new VPC from scratch. You can get Virtual PC 2007 for free. You can also get a free 180-day trial edition of Windows Server 2003. If you're in a hurry and are willing to sacrifice 150 days of trial time, you can get a pre-configured virtual hard drive (vhd) file containing a 30-day trial version of Windows Server 2003.

Once you get your virtual server all configured like you like it, make sure you run the Configure Your Server and set it up as an Application Server. Enable ASP.Net, not FrontPage Extensions.

The installation for SQL Server 2008 is remarkably similar to its predecessor. I include the following steps / screenshots as they reflect my experience with the installation:

Unpack the ISO image. Execute the Setup.exe application:

Accept the End User License Agreement:

Click the Install button to install SQL Server 2008 prerequisites:

When the prerequisites installation completes, click the Next button:

The SQL Server Installation Wizard starts:

System Configuration Check executes and reports any errors or warnings. Address any errors reported. It's wise to take a good look at all warnings:

Enter your registration information:

Select the components you wish to install. Click the Advanced button for detailed configuration options:

You may be tempted to make changes to the default locations here. I caution you - this is the first public CTP. Changes to the defaults are risky!

Although I selected all the options under Documentation, Samples, and Sample Databases; the sample databases were not installed (see previous note):

Once options are configured click the Next button:

There's a note in the ReadMe about Named Instances. I consider this a "clue" and make this the Default Instance:

I use the local system account to start services and configure all services to start automatically:

I choose Mixed Mode authentication and supply a good strong password (no need to take any chances here...):

I accept the defaults on collation and click the Next button:

I accept the defaults on Reporting Services configuration:

Note: You will not see this page in the installation wizard if you do not have IIS installed and configured. The best ay to get IIS set up on your Windows Server 2003 is the Configure Your Server Wizard.

Select Error Reporting Options and click the Next button:

I accept the defaults here. C'mon - it's a CTP! Send the feedback for goodness' sake! ;)

The Ready To Install screen displays - click the Install button to start the installation:

Installation was comparable to SQL Server 2005 installation - perhaps a bit quicker:

Click the Finish button to complete the installation:

That's it! SQL Server 2008 (Katmai) June CTP is installed and ready!

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: Katmai SQL Server 2008 SSIS

SQL Server 2008 CTP Available!

andy — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:29:00 GMT

The June CTP of SQL Server 2008 (the database server formerly known as Katmai) at Microsoft Connect!

Registration is required. You must also complete a three-question survey.

:{> Andy

Technorati Tags: SQL Server 2008 Katmai CTP