Anything and Everything IT

WARDY IT Solutions - Microsoft Data Management Partner of the Year!

2009-09-05T11:08:00.004+10:00

At a gala awards dinner on 3rd September 2009, WARDY IT Solutions was announced as the winner of the Data Management Solutions Partner of the Year.

The gala awards evening formed part of the Australian Partner Conference which was held on the Gold Coast from 1st-4th September 2009. The award is in recognition of WARDY IT Solutions very high level of performance in the design and delivery of Microsoft SQL Server solutions supporting customer's mission-critical applications.

A full description of WARDY IT Solutions SQL Server consolidation service can be found here.

Tattersall's gamble with password security

2009-06-24T13:45:00.000+10:00

Bragging rights http://www.itwire.com/content/view/25873/1231/1/1/

Favourite SQL Server Integration Services Articles

2009-02-23T14:58:00.001+11:00

Over the last few months I've been answering questions on the SSIS Forum as well as working on a data migration project here in Canberra. During this time I've found a number of valuable articles (which have subsequently been added to my favourites collection for future reference) so I thought I'd share them with you.

Performance Tuning

Top 10 SQL Server Integration Services Best Practices

An article by SQLCAT discussing what they consider to be the 10 most important practices to consider when developing SSIS packages. This article also discusses what tasks are best done in T-SQL instead of SSIS.

Getting Optimal Performance with Integration Services Lookups

An article that discusses several techniques for getting optimal performance from a Lookup transform in SSIS.

Troubleshooting Package Performance

Integration Services includes features and tools that you can use to troubleshoot the performance of packages. For example, logging captures run-time information about packages, and performance counters let you monitor the data flow engine. This article provides information about these features, along with suggestions for designing packages to avoid common performance issues in SSIS 2005

Improving the Performance of the Data Flow

This article provides suggestions about how to design Integration Services packages to avoid common performance issues and also provides information about features and tools that you can use to troubleshoot the performance of packages in SSIS 2008.

Integration Services: Performance Tuning Techniques

This white paper describes common performance-tuning techniques that you can apply to your SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) 2005 data integration solutions.

Scheduling

How to Schedule and Run a SSIS package Job

To execute a SSIS package via a SQL Server Agent Job you need to configure a Proxy Account and assign it as the executor of the Job Step. This article discusses how to do this.

Developing

Generating Surrogate Keys

SSIS does not contain a built in component for generating surrogate keys but there is still a mechanism for doing it – the Script Component. The Script Component allows us to modify the data in a data flow path using managed code and we can use it to generate surrogate keys.

Row Number Transformation

SSIS does not contain a built in component for generating surrogate keys but there is still a mechanism for doing it – The Row Number Transformation. The Row Number Transformation calculates a row number for each row, and adds this as a new output column to the data flow. The column number is a sequential number, based on a seed value. Each row receives the next number in the sequence, based on the defined increment value.

Integration Services Data Types

Provides datatype mappings between SSIS, SQL Server, Jet, Oracle and DB2 for SSIS 2005 and SSIS 2008.

Administration and Setup

Configuring Integration Services in a Clustered Environment

The Integration Services service is not a clustered or cluster-aware service, and does not support failover from one cluster node to another. Therefore, in a clustered environment, Integration Services should be installed and started as a stand-alone service on each node in the cluster. These articles discuss how to install and setup SSIS 2005 and SSIS 2008 in a clustered environment.

CSSUG: Answering the queries your users really want to ask

2009-02-02T11:41:00.006+11:00

When: Tuesday, 10 February 2009 -

Where: Excom Education, Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Place, Canberra City (Entrance Map)

Duration: Networking from 5:30PM for a 6:00PM Start

Registration: http://www.sqlserver.org.au/

Session Details

Developers like queries that are very constrained. Users don't. In this session, Greg will show how iFTS in SQL Server 2008 allows developers to build systems that answer the queries the users really want to ask. This session got great reviews when Greg delivered it at TechEd Developers in Barcelona recently.

If you haven't used FTS in earlier versions of SQL Server and are curious about what’s possible, have used it and have some old pain associated with it or are using it and want to see what's changed, this session is a must.

About Greg Low

Greg is an internationally recognised consultant, developer and trainer. He has been working in development since 1978 and holds a PhD in Computer Science. Greg is the country lead for Solid Quality (www.solidq.com.au), a SQL Server MVP and a Microsoft Regional Director. He is currently one of only two people in the world to hold the new Microsoft Masters certification for SQL Server 2008 and teaches internal SQL Server classes for Microsoft on their Redmond campus.

Canberra SQL Server User Group Home Page

Canberra SQL Server User Group Facebook Group

WARDY IT Solutions - December 2008 SQL Server Newsletter

2008-12-18T14:11:00.002+11:00

The December 2008 edition of the WARDY IT Solutions SQL Server Newsletter has been released. In this issue we cover:

To subscribe to the newsletter visit http://wardyit.com/Default.aspx or send an email to newsletter_add@wardyit.com

Cheers
Jeff

Australians Against Internet Censorship

2008-12-06T11:39:00.005+11:00

All Australians are urged to participate in the Australians Against Internet Censorship movement.

Visit these sites quickly before they're added to the Australian Government's Blacklist :-)

March

http://wiki.efp.org.au/index.php?title=13th_December_2008

Website

http://www.nocleanfeed.com/

Blog

http://blog.nocleanfeed.com/

YouTude

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPBdWjIrUn4
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=tH35CVig3fQ&feature=related

WARDY IT Solutions - July 2008 SQL Server Newsletter

2008-08-03T15:29:00.003+10:00

The July 2008 edition of the WARDY IT Solutions SQL Server Newsletter has been released and can be viewed at http://www.wardyit.com/newsletters/jul2008.htm.

In this issue we cover:

To subscribe to the newsletter send an email to newsletter_add@wardyit.com.

Cheers
Jeff

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Virtual Labs

2008-06-26T09:28:00.002+10:00

Test drive Microsoft SQL Server 2008 in a virtual labs.

Keep up-to-date with new lab releases by subscribing to the SQL Server 2008 Virtual Labs feed

Canberra SQL Server User Group - Get Facetted: Perspectives on SQL Server 2008 Policy Based Management (Shaun Baggett)

2008-06-24T18:54:00.001+10:00

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Policy Based Management introduces a new way of managing many different areas of SQL Server 2008 itself. Come along and see how policies can be defined to audit and enforce naming standards, best practices and system compliance.

About the Presenter

When not spending too much time on Contiki tours, Shaun has dabbled a bit in various technologies such as Mainframes, kit computers, DVD production, network infrastructure, server support, and application/database programming. For the last decade he has been focussing on Microsoft technologies and has even passed some exams along the way, holding certifications like MCSE + Internet, MCSD and TS:SQL 2005. Recently, the Australian Computer Society even let him in as a member. Shaun likes to pretend that he’s OK at SQL Server but lives in perpetual fear that he’ll be found out. Shaun is currently employed as a Business Application Analyst/Developer by InTACT, the IT provider for the ACT Government.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, 1 July 2008 @ 5:30pm
Venue: Excom Education, Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Place, Canberra City (Entrance Map)
Registration: http://www.sqlserver.org.au/
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26112342248

24 Hours of SQL Server 2008

2008-06-24T18:10:00.004+10:00

Microsoft has created an extensive 24-hour video series for IT Pros and Developers highlighting how to use SQL Server 2008 and other Microsoft Data Platform technologies to manage and process information. Each video is 60-90 minutes long and covers areas such as:

Trusted

Ensuring Your Data Is Secure with a Trusted Platform ITPro 90m)
Securing Your System ITPro 90m)
Ensuring Business Continuity ITPro 90m)
Predictable Response to Your Users (ITPro 90m)
Performance Troubleshooting (ITPro 90m)

Productive

Using the Microsoft Data Platform for Easy Data Access with SQL Server 2008 (Dev 60m)
Free Your Data with SQL Server 2008 (Dev 60m)
Streamline Data Access with SQL Server 2008 (Dev 60m)
Manage Your Unstructured Data with SQL Server 2008 (Dev 60m)
Simplify Management of Your SQL Server 2008 Data Platform (ITPro 90m)
Simplify Management with Policy-Based Management (ITPro 90m)
Map Your Data with SQL Server Spatial Features (Dev 9m)
Ensuring Your Data Is Secure with a Trusted Platform (ITPro 90m)

Intelligent

Data Warehousing Scale and Performance (ITPro 90m)
Data Warehousing Management (ITPro 90m)
Upgrade Your Database (ITPro 90m)
Performance Troubleshooting (ITPro 90m)
Scale Your Business (ITPro 90m)
Analysis Services Design and Performance Improvements (ITPro 90m)
Data Mining (ITPro 90m)

Check them out!

Canberra SQL Server User Group: Introduction to SQL Server 2008 (Greg Low)

2008-05-02T18:10:00.002+10:00

SQL Server 2008 is coming later this year. While it’s a distance off, it’s important to keep an eye on the upcoming changes while working with the current versions. In this session, Greg will provide a complete walk-through of all the key enhancements in SQL Server 2008 for the relational engine, for developers and for business intelligence. He will demonstrate a number of features from each area.

About the Presenter

Greg is an internationally recognised consultant, developer and trainer. He has been working in development since 1978, holds a PhD in Computer Science and a host of Microsoft certifications. Greg is the country lead for Solid Q Australia (the local subsidiary of Solid Quality Mentors), a PASS board member, a SQL Server MVP and one of only three Microsoft MSDN Regional Directors for Australia. Greg also hosts the SQL Down Under podcast, organises SQL Down Under Code Camp and co-organises CodeCampOz.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, 6 May 2008 @ 5:30pm
Venue: Excom Education, Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Place, Canberra City (Entrance Map)
Registration: www.sqlserver.org.au
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26112342248

Tech-Ed Orlando 2008

2008-04-30T20:07:00.003+10:00

Tech-Ed Orlando 2008 is going to be pretty full on for me as not only will I be attending both the Developer and IT Pro weeks, I will also be helping out in the hands-on-labs (HOLS's), presenting and manning the SQL Server demo stations.

Here's what my schedule looks like so far:

Developer Conference

QA on the developer HOL's from 26th-30th May
Technical Learning Guide (TLG) for the developer HOL's
Presenting "DAT01-ILL - Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Service Oriented Architecture" on 3rd June @ 10:30am and 5th June @ 10:15am (See abstract below)

DAT01-ILL Abstract

This lab covers creating a Service Oriented Database Application on SQL Server 2008. After completing this self-paced lab you will be able to set up database objects and security for Service Broker, deploy a Service Oriented Database Application across multiple machines, set up a Service Broker Endpoint, explain the steps involved in converting a traditional application to a service oriented database application, explain Service Broker message types and contracts, troubleshoot a Service Broker application, and use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to manage solutions, projects, modify and execute SQLCMD mode scripts and execute queries and review their plan of execution.

MCT Train-the-Trainer (TTT)

SQL Server 2008 DBA Deep Dive on Saturday 7th June (See abstract below)

TTT Abstract

In Progress!

http://blogs.msdn.com/billchapman/archive/2008/04/24/train-the-trainer-teched-2008-orlando.aspx

IT Professional Conference

Presenting "DAT356 - Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition for the DBA" on 12th June @ 8:30am (See abstract below)
Manning SQL Server Demo Stations - Daily

DAT356 Abstract

Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition is the rebranding of Microsoft SQL Server Mobile Edition (SQL Server Mobile 3.0) without the desktop restriction. SQL Server Compact extends the SQL Server Mobile technology by offering a low maintenance, compact embedded database for single-user client applications for all Windows platforms including tablet PCs, pocket PCs, smart phones and desktops. Just as with SQL Server Mobile, SQL Server Compact is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight, and embeddable version of SQL Server for developing desktop and mobile applications. This session covers:

SQL Server Compact Edition (SSCE) Overview
SSCE Feature Limitations
Obtaining SSCE 3.x
Managing SSCE Databases
Securing the SSCE Database
Synchronization
Locking, Concurrency, and Isolations
Performance Tuning
What's new in SSCE 3.5

So if you plan on attending Tech-Ed this year, why don't you pop-in and say G'day. Who know's, I might even shout you a beer or two :-)

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Certifications

2008-04-05T19:08:00.002+11:00

Gerry O'Brien has blogged about how to get certified in Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

For SQL Server 2008 you will now have the choice of obtaining a MCTS SQL Server 2008 in Database Administration (70-432), Database Developer (70-433) or Business Intelligence Developer (70-448). As a result of there only being one exam for each certification, there will be no upgrade exam from MCTS SQL 2005 to MCTS SQL 2008.

Beta exams are due to be released shortly (see MCP Flash) with the live exams due for release in late 2008.

Code Camp Oz 2008 Schedule Available

2008-03-29T20:43:00.002+11:00

The Code Camp Oz 2008 speaker schedule has been released. I'm doing a Precon session on the Friday titled "SQL Server CE for Developers".

This is the first time that Precon sessions have been delivered at Code Camp Oz and we're offering them due to the large number of people that arrive Friday lunchtime.

For more information about CodeCampOz visit http://www.codecampoz.com/Home/tabid/78/Default.aspx

MSDN Webcast: geekSpeak: SQL Server Compact Edition Tips and Tricks with Jeff Wharton (Level 200)

2008-03-29T20:27:00.002+11:00

Summary

MSDN geekSpeak is a new kind of webcast series, hosted by developer evangelists from Microsoft. Dispensing with slide decks and scripted demos, geekSpeak webcasts bring you industry experts in a sort of "talk-radio" format. These experts share their knowledge and experience around a particular developer technology, and are ready to answer your questions in real time during the webcast. Learn about industry trends, new technology, real-world experiences, and more. During the webcast, you hear lively discussion and debate and you can even add your comments to the fray. Who knows, you might even see a whiteboard sketch or an off-the-cuff demo.

In this episode of geekSpeak, Microsoft MVP Jeff Wharton will highlight best practices for using SQL Server Compact Edition, so bring your mobility questions! Your hosts for this geekSpeak will be Lynn Langit and Glen Gordon.

If you have a question or comment you would like us to address during the webcast, visit the geekSpeak blog and submit it now.

Guest Presenter: Jeff Wharton, Chief Solutions Architect, WARDY IT Solutions and SolidQ Austalia Mentor

Jeff Wharton is chief solutions architect at WARDY IT Solutions and a Mentor for SolidQ Australia. Jeff is an active member in the Australian SQL Server community and president of the Canberra SQL Server User Group. Jeff holds a master's degree in systems development (.NET Stream) and he is in the final stages of completing a master's degree in database design and management (Microsoft SQL Server 2005) at Charles Sturt University. Jeff was awarded as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) for Windows Server System - SQL Server in January 2008. Jeff was the winner of Speaker Idol '07 (TechEd-Developers Barcelona 2007), securing him a speaker spot at TechEd-Developers in 2008. Jeff's blog is http://blog.wharton.com.au/.

Details

Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 (US & Canada)
Time: 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Recommended For: Developers & DBA's
Product: SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition
Registration: Here

SolidQ Australia

2008-03-21T20:22:00.002+11:00

As reported by Greg Low, Peter Ward and I are joining the SolidQ team here in Australia.

Founded in 2002, Solid Quality Mentors, formerly Solid Quality Learning, is a trusted global provider of advanced education and solutions for the entire Microsoft Data and Development Platforms. In short, it's customers use Solid Quality Mentors' products and services in order to achieve optimum performance from their Microsoft IT investment.

I'm excited to be working with Greg, Peter Myers and Peter Ward and look forward to helping them build a superb team for this region.

WARDY IT Solutions - February 2008 SQL Server Newsletter

2008-03-03T18:56:00.002+11:00

The February 2008 edition of the WARDY IT Solutions SQL Server Newsletter has been released and can be viewed at http://www.wardyit.com/newsletters/feb2008.htm.

In this issue we cover:

To subscribe to the newsletter send an email to newsletter_add@wardyit.com.

Protecting the Crown Jewels & Your Butt!

2008-02-28T20:01:00.003+11:00

Canberra SQL Server User Group Invite

Welcome to the first SQL Server User Group meeting for the year. A little late starting due to my move to Brisbane, but we've already got some great sessions lined up for the months ahead.

First off some important information about meeting times and location.

The User Group will no longer be meeting at the Microsoft Office in Barton. We have moved back into the city and will be hosting meetings at Excom Education (See meeting invitation for address details). We will also be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month so that we no longer clash with the Sydney SQL Server User Group and starting 30 minutes later (5:30pm) to give people more time to get from work.

One of the reasons for moving to Excom is that I am hoping to run Instructor Lead Labs (ILL's) ever quarter so that members can play with new technologies in a virtual environment; instead of just hearing about them.

Now to this month's session. The title is a bit unusual but as most of us know, it's all about protecting your data (and your job!) and critical corporate data, the 'crown jewels' of a business, has never been at greater risk.

Most organisations have ensured that their systems are locked down from external threats, but are usually unaware that the majority of data theft and misuse is carried out inside these barriers. In this month's session, you will learn about the data security threat, external auditing standards that may apply to your organisation and how to reduce the risk and protect your butt.

Tony Finnemore (SQL Tools) will review the native security features of SQL Server 2005 and 2008, plus the various methods that are available to monitor and audit SQL Server activity.

SQL Tools have also offered up a permanent SQLsecure license with 12 months maintenance (valued at AU$1,788) as a door prize so be sure to come along to see a great session and for a chance to win this fabulous prize. More information about SQLsecure can be found at http://www.sqltools.com.au/products/sqlsecure.htm.

Hope you can join us and I look forward catching up with.

Jeff

Meeting Details

When: 4th March 2008
Where: Excom Education Canberra - Level 2, 33-35 Ainslie Avenue, Canberra City
Duration: Catering from 5:30PM for a 6:00PM Start
Registration: www.sqlserver.org.au

Canberra Wave Launch

Have you registered for the Canberra Heroes Happen 2008 Launch Event on 2nd April 2008?

In just one day, experience & learn about the tools you need to deliver the next generation of secure, flexible applications.

Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 & Visual Studio 2008
Dedicated Security & Management track
Expert speakers
Interactive live demonstrations
Your only chance to get this content

Register now to secure your spot and your exclusive launch kit valued at $2800. http://www.microsoft.com/australia/heroes/

Forget Pop Idol, meet the Speaker Idols : Windows IT Pro Interview

2008-02-15T12:22:00.001+11:00

Title says it all :-)

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/98284/98284.html?Ad=1

Australian SQL Server 2008 Readiness Events

2008-01-20T22:47:00.000+11:00

Leveraged from Greg Low as I'm too lazy to think of my own words :-).

Microsoft Australia have scheduled a number of SQL Server 2008 readiness events in May/June 2008 which target administrators, developers and business intelligence professionals. These jumpstart sessions offer up-to-date content on SQL Server 2008 and are relatively cheap.

The developer event runs for two days and is being offered in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. For administrators, there is a one day event which is being offered in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. The one day BI event is running in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

See https://partner.microsoft.com/Australia/40039523 for more information.

Get Ready for SQL Server 2008 Virtual Conference

2008-01-04T01:30:00.000+11:00

Get ready for a paradigm shift in the world of databases and business intelligence.........

Join Solid Q and their friends and sponsors at SQL Server Magazine on January 24, 2008, to learn how to get more out of SQL Server. Scheduled presentations will provide solid education about SQL Server 2005 and valuable insight into SQL Server 2008.

You can find more info and register by following this link: http://events.unisfair.com/rt/sql~jan08/?code=solidqweb

Now a Windows Server System - SQL Server MVP

2008-01-02T08:15:00.000+11:00

Got a great email at 2:07am this morning; I'm now a SQL Server MVP. So honoured to be one of the eight here in Australia. The other SQL Server MVP's here in Australia are:

Peter Ward - Brisbane
Rob Farley - Adelaide
Greg Low - Melbourne
Greg Linwood - Melbourne
Grant Paisley - Sydney
Darren Gosbell - Melbourne
Peter Myers - Melbourne

For more information about the MVP program visit https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T23:59:00.000+11:00

B4 the sun sets on 2007, b4 the memories fade, b4 the networks get jammed & b4 i get smashed & lose my phone, i am wishin you a very happy 2008...

Telstra Release Windows Mobile 6 Upgrade For Palm Treo 750

2007-12-31T11:20:00.000+11:00

Telstra has finally released it's long awaited Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the Palm Treo 750. More details can be found here.

Not sure if I'll upgrade to their version or just keep using the version I installed via this method.

SQL Server Compact 3.5 - Cross Version Comptibility

2007-12-19T12:37:00.000+11:00

There has been quite a lot of discussion on the SQL Server Compact Edition MSDN Forum since SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5 was released and most of it has been around it's compatibility (or lack of) with SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. The good news is that the SQL Server Compact Team have released a great post on their blog about "Connectivity cross version compatibility scenarios for the SQL Server Compact 3.5 release" which should help alleviate some of the misconceptions about the product.

Summary:

SQL Server Compact 3.5 can synchronize with only SQL Server 2005 not with SQL Server 2000.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, and 3.5 and SQL Server 2005 through SQL Server Compact3.5 IIS components.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 can synchronize with both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Server Tools package enables synchronization between SQL Server Compact client versions 3.0, 3.1, 3.5 and SQL Server 2008 through SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 IIS components.

Some of you may have notice that they talk about SP1 versions of SQL Server Compact 3.5 and SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools. Here is a release plan for these packages (no dates provided):

Phase1: Release SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools package for SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Beta Server Tools package for SQL Server 2008.
Phase2: Release the SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 Server Tools package for both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008. This new package will replace the Phase 1 packages.

The original post also provides a fair bit of detail on various Deployment Scenarios for SQL Server 2000/2005/2008 and SQL Server Compact Edition 2.0/3.0/3.1/3.5 . It doesn't however cover any of the following deployment scenarios:

Upgrading clients from SQL Server Compact version 2.0 to versions 3.0 and 3.1
Upgrading from SQL Server 2000 to SQL Server 2005
Mixed installations including SQL Server compact client versions 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 and SQL Server or publisher versions SQL Server 2000 (8.0), and SQL Server 2005 (9.0)

For more information about these deployment scenarios, please see SQL Server Compact 3.1 Connectivity Tools documentation.

Cross Version Compatibility Support Matrix

The following tables provides the cross version compatibility support for each different type of deployment scenario. The table includes:

“Dx”: An identifier for each different scenario.
“Existing Support”: A deployment that is already supported. For more information, see SQL Server Compact 3.1 Connectivity Tools.
“New Support”: A new supported deployment. This new deployment is explained in this blog post later.
“Pending Support”: Specifies that SQL Server Compact 3.5 RTM does not support synchronization to SQL Server 2008 but this support will be enabled in SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1.

The following table summarizes the compatibility with SQL Server Compact, SQL Server and server IIS components. For more information, see Section 2 Deployment Scenarios. This section requires thorough understanding of Merge Replication deployment.

The full post can be found here.