Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Database

The primary audience for this course is individuals who administer and maintain SQL Server databases. This course can also be helpful for individuals who develop applications that deliver content from SQL Server databases.

​Before attending this course, students must have:
•    Basic knowledge of the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 operating system and its core functionality
•    Working knowledge of Transact-SQL
•    Working knowledge of relational databases
•    Some experience with database design
•    Core Windows Server Skills

In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that students have completed:
•   SQL200, Introduction to Transact-SQL

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Explain SQL Server 2008 R2 architecture, resources requirements and perform pre-checks of I/O subsystems
• Plan, install and configure SQL Server 2008 R2
• Backup and restore databases
• Import and export wizards and explain how they relate to SSIS
• Use BCP and BULK INSERT to import data
• Manage security
• Assign, configure fixed database roles and create and assign user defined database roles
• Configure and assign permissions
• Implement SQL Server 2008 R2 Audits
• Manage SQL Server 2008 R2 Agent and Jobs
• Configure database mails, alerts and notifications
• Maintain databases
• Configure SQL Profiler Traces and Use the Database Tuning Advisor
• Monitor data by using Dynamic Management Views
• Execute multi-server queries and configure a central management server
• Deploy a data-tier-application
• Troubleshoot common issues

1. Introduction to SQL Server 2008 R2 and its Toolset 

This module introduces you to the entire SQL Server platform and its major tools. This module also covers editions, versions, basics of network listeners, and concepts of services and service accounts.

Lessons 

• Introduction to SQL Server Platform
• Working with SQL Server Tools
• Configuring SQL Server Services

Lab : Introduction to SQL Server 2008 R2 and its Toolset 

• Verify SQL Server Component Installation
• Alter Service Accounts for New Instance
• Enable Named Pipes Protocol for Both Instances
• Create Aliases for AdventureWorks and Proseware
• Ensure SQL Browser is Disabled and Configure a Fixed TCP/IP Port

2. Preparing Systems for SQL Server 2008 R2 
This module covers planning for an installation related to SQL Server I/O requirements, 32 bit vs 64 bit, memory configuration options and I/O subsystem pre-installation checks using SQLIOSim and SQLIO.

Lessons 

• Overview of SQL Server 2008 R2 Architecture
• Planning Server Resource Requirements
• Pre-installation Testing for SQL Server 2008 R2

Lab : Preparing Systems for SQL Server 2008 R2 

• Adjust memory configuration
• Perform Pre-installation Stress Testing
• Check Specific I/O Operations
• Conduct pre-installation stress testing for SQL Server

3. Installing and Configuring SQL Server 2008 R2 
This module details installing and configuring SQL Server 2008 R2.

Lessons 

• Preparing to Install SQL Server 2008 R2
• Installing SQL Server 2008 R2
• Upgrading and Automating Installation

Lab : Installing and Configuring SQL Server 2008 R2 

• Review installation requirements
• Install the SQL Server instance
• Perform Post-installation Setup and Checks
• Configure Server Memory

4. Working with Databases 
This module describes the system databases, the physical structure of databases and the most common configuration options related to them.

Lessons 

• Overview of SQL Server Databases
• Working with Files and Filegroups
• Moving Database Files

Lab : Working with Databases 

• Adjust tempdb configuration
• Create the RateTracking database
• Attach the OldProspects database
• Add multiple files to tempdb

5. Understanding SQL Server 2008 R2 Recovery Models 
This module describes the concept of the transaction log and SQL Server recovery models. It introduces the different backup strategies available with SQL Server 2008 R2.

Lessons

• Backup Strategies
• Understanding SQL Server Transaction Logging
• Planning a SQL Server Backup Strategy

Lab : Understanding SQL Server 2008 R2 Recovery Models 

• Plan a backup strategy
• Configure recovery models
• Review recovery models and strategy

6. Backup of SQL Server 2008 R2 Databases 
This module describes SQL Server 2008 R2 Backup and the backup types.

Lessons 

• Backing up Databases and Transaction Logs
• Managing Database Backups
• Working with Backup Options

Lab : Backup of SQL Server 2008 R2 Databases 

• Investigate backup compression
• Transaction log backup
• Differential backup
• Copy only backup
• Partial backup

7. Restoring SQL Server 2008 R2 Databases
This module describes the restoration of databases.

Lessons 

• Understanding the Restore Process
• Restoring Databases
• Working with Point-in-time Recovery
• Restoring System Databases and Individual Files

Lab : Restoring SQL Server 2008 R2 Databases 

• Determine a restore strategy
• Restore the database
• Using STANDBY mode

8. Importing and Exporting Data
This module covers the use of the import/export wizards and explains how they relate to SSIS. Also introduces BCP.

Lessons

• Transferring Data To/From SQL Server 2008 R2
• Importing & Exporting Table Data
• Inserting Data in Bulk

Lab : Importing and Exporting Data 

• Import the Excel spreadsheet
• Import the CSV file
• Create and test an extraction package
• Compare loading performance

9. Authenticating and Authorizing Users 
This module covers SQL Server 2008 R2 security models, logins and users. 

Lessons 

• Authenticating Connections to SQL Server
• Authorizing Logins to Access Databases
• Authorization Across Servers

Lab : Authenticating and Authorizing Users 

• Create Logins
• Correct an Application Login Issue
• Create Database Users
• Correct Access to Restored Database

10. Assigning Server and Database Roles 
This module covers fixed server roles, fixed database roles and user-defined database roles.

Lessons 

• Working with Server Roles
• Working with Fixed Database Roles
• Creating User-defined Database Roles

Lab : Assigning Server and Database Roles

• Assign Server Roles
• Assign Fixed Database Roles
• Create and Assign User-defined Database Roles
• Check Role Assignments

11. Authorizing Users to Access Resources 
This module covers permissions and the assignment of permissions. 

Lessons 

• Authorizing User Access to Objects
• Authorizing Users to Execute Code
• Configuring Permissions at the Schema Level

Lab : Authorizing Users to Access Resources 

• Assign Schema-level Permissions
• Assign Object-level Permissions
• Test Permissions

12. Auditing SQL Server Environments 
This module covers SQL Server Audit. 

Lessons 

• Options for Auditing Data Access in SQL Server
• Implementing SQL Server Audit
• Managing SQL Server Audit

Lab : Auditing SQL Server Environments 

• Determine audit configuration and create audit
• Create server audit specifications
• Create database audit specifications
• Test audit functionality

13. Automating SQL Server 2008 R2 Management 
This module covers SQL Server Agent, jobs and job history. 

Lessons 

• Automating SQL Server Management
• Working with SQL Server Agent
• Managing SQL Server Agent Jobs

Lab : Automating SQL Server 2008 R2 Management 

• Create a Data Extraction Job
• Schedule the Data Extraction Job
• Troubleshoot a Failing Job

14. Configuring Security for SQL Server Agent 
This module covers SQL Server agent security, proxy accounts and credentials. 

Lessons 

• Understanding SQL Server Agent Security
• Configuring Credentials
• Configuring Proxy Accounts

Lab : Configuring Security for SQL Server Agent 

• Troubleshoot job execution failure
• Resolve the security issue
• Perform further troubleshooting

15. Monitoring SQL Server 2008 R2 with Alerts and Notifications
This module covers the configuration of database mail, alerts and notifications.

Lessons 

• Configuration of Database Mail
• Monitoring SQL Server Errors
• Configuring Operators, Alerts and Notifications

Lab : Monitoring SQL Agent Jobs with Alerts and Notifications 

• Configure Database Mail
• Implement Notifications
• Implement Alerts

16. Performing Ongoing Database Maintenance 
This module covers database maintenance plans.

Lessons 

• Ensuring Database Integrity
• Maintaining Indexes
• Automating Routine Database Maintenance

Lab : Ongoing Database Maintenance 

• Check database integrity using DBCC CHECKDB
• Correct index fragmentation
• Create a database maintenance plan
• Investigate table lock performance

17. Tracing Access to SQL Server 2008 R2
This module covers SQL Profiler and SQL Trace stored procedures.

Lessons 

• Capturing Activity using SQL Server Profiler
• Improving Performance with the Database Engine Tuning Advisor
• Working with Tracing Options

Lab : Tracing Access to SQL Server 2008 R2 

• Capture a trace using SQL Server Profiler
• Analyze a trace using Database Engine Tuning Advisor
• Configure SQL Trace

18. Monitoring SQL Server 2008 R2 
This module introduces DMVs and the configuration of data collection.

Lessons 

• Monitoring Activity
• Capturing and Managing Performance Data
• Analyzing Collected Performance Data

Lab : Monitoring SQL Server 2008 R2 

• Investigating DMVs
• Configure Management Data Warehouse
• Configure Instances for Data Collection
• Work with Data Collector Reports

19. Managing Multiple Servers 
This module covers Central Management Servers and Multi-Server queries, Virtualization of SQL Server and Data-Tier Applications.

Lessons 

• Working with Multiple Servers
• Virtualizing SQL Server
• Deploying and Upgrading Data-Tier Applications

Lab : Managing Multiple Servers 

• Configure CMS and execute multi-server queries
• Deploy a data-tier application
• Register and extract a data-tier application
• Upgrade a data-tier application

20. Troubleshooting Common SQL Server 2008 R2 Administrative Issues 
This module covers common issues that require troubleshooting and gives guidance on where to start looking for solutions.

Lessons 

• SQL Server Troubleshooting Methodology
• Resolving Service-related Issues
• Resolving Concurrency Issues
• Resolving Login and Connectivity Issues

Lab : Troubleshooting Common Issues 

• Troubleshoot and resolve SQL Server administrative issues