Product Description
Announcing an all-new Self-Paced Training Kit designed to help maximize your performance on 70-646, a required exam for the new Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Windows Server 2008 Administrator certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft® study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features that exam candidates want most including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides real-world case scenarios to help you build skills and expertise that you can apply to the job.

Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. Focusing on Windows Server 2008 administration, this official study guide covers planning server roles; maintaining server security; planning data storage, network load balancing, and server backups; managing software deployment and versioning; monitoring IPv6, server performance and capacity, and AD replication; scheduling server deployments; and designing a rollback contingency plan.

Then assess yourself using 300+ practice and review questions on the CD, featuring multiple, customizable testing options to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get an evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 and an exam discount voucher making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

Key Book Benefits:

Comprehensive exam prep study guide

In-depth coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job

300+ practice and review questions

Test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback

Handy exam-mapping grid

Evaluation version of Windows Server 2008

15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft (limited-time offer)

Entire study guide in searchable eBook format ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Great book; invaluable in passing
This book is an essential read if you want to pass the exam. The content concentrates on what is new in Server 2008 and, in the main, that is what the exam content was all about. There is a small section in the book that warns about knowing all, and not just what is new - this is prophetic as the exam throws up quite a few questions which will have you delving deep into the memory banks. The section on Windows backup does NOT cover the changes in R2, so make sure you know these updates, and the section on TS is out of date as per R2, so again... read the section, but then get onto the technet. As for the exam itself, not a single question on IPv6 (but the section in the book is a good read), while the exam concentrated on these topics: WDS, WSUS 3.0, DHCP/DNS, DFS, CA & TS(RDS). By applying what's in the book and by testing out on your virtual setups (set out in the book), you should get the result you are looking for. I recommend this text.

Covers a lot
We used this book as part of our Network Administration classes. It had very easy to follow instructions and we did every chapter's projects. It was so easy to follow and it gave clear instructions, as to what your expected results would be.

Exam 70-646
I ordered the book. The book came in new condition with CD. I was sent an order confirmation that the order would arrive by the end of the month. I received the book within 10 days. In my book, that kind of service rocks!

Excellent book if you want to pass the exam!
Ian McLean and Orin Thomas did a very good job with this book. This book covered all topics that were on the exam. No surprises. I only found a few minor mistakes in the book, overall the quality is high and I found the book quite easy to read.
Since I wanted to upgrade my MCSE to MCITP I had to pass two exams, the "70-649 TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist" exam and the "70-646 Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator" exam. I started with the 70-649 and found that one certainly doable, but it contains a lot of material. After that exam I bought this book and found the book (and the exam!) much easier than the 70-649 exam. Especially because a lot of the material is already covered when you study for the 70-649 exam and I have the feeling the required knowledge level to pass the 70-649 exam is higher than the required knowledge level for the 70-646 exam. I don't think Microsoft is very clear about in what order to study for the exams, but it's definitely an option to do it the other way around and start with the 70-646 exam.
Conclusion; study all chapters in this book and you should be able to pass the exam!

Great Resource if you've got Previous Experience

When I purchased this book, I was in dire straits. I'd scheduled my exam based on my mastery of the official academic course book, which did very little to prepare me for the 70-646. After speed-reading this book in a week, running through the practice tests, and using an additional set of questions from MeasureUp, I passed just this afternoon.

Folks, this book is the real deal.

Understand, however, that this book does assume that you've either been using Server 2008 for a little while, or you've been supporting users on older Windows Server platforms. It is not an "intro to servers" book by far. If you need to learn from scratch, I suggest looking into other titles.

Two nitpicks? As another reviewer mentioned, there is almost an entire chapter on IPv6 but not a single question on my exam about IPv6. The space the author spent on IPv6 might have been better spent covering AD permissions and delegation in greater detail. Other than that, I was happy with the book. I look forward to the 70-640 title in the same series. ... Read more

Product Description

A step-by-step guide to getting the most of Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services 2008

• Everything you need to create and deliver data-rich reports with SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services as quickly as possible
• Packed with hands-on-examples to learn and improve your skills
• Connect and report from databases, spreadsheets, XML Data, and more
• No experience of SQL Server Reporting Services required

In Detail

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 is the third generation Microsoft reporting software that is more tightly integrated with SQL Server 2008 than ever before. It provides a complete server-based platform that is designed to support a wide variety of reporting needs, including managed enterprise reporting, special purpose reporting, embedded reporting, and web-based reporting.

Ideal for beginners who need to create reports as quickly as possible, this book will lead you through practical examples to teach you a full range of skills for reporting with SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services. A series of carefully picked exercises help you practice the most important aspects of report creation. By the end of the book, you will have the confidence to take on the most complex of reports, and be producing reports that will make you the envy of your organization.

What you will learn from this book?

• Install SQL Server 2008 and configure the SQL Server Reporting Services
• Learn the various components and tools that enable end-to-end support for all reporting activities
• Use the report viewer control to get started with the essentials of retrieving and displaying data
• Create a Report Model using the Visual Studio 2008 Template
• Learn to modify reports on a report server and create linked files with report manager
• Embed Microsoft Report Viewer Controls in web and Windows applications
• Create interactive reports with charts and gauges using Report Builder
• Create several kinds of reports with Report Builder 2.0
• Create server reports and report models and deploy them
• Get the full details of available programming interfaces and their usage
• Learn to work with Crystal Reports 2008
• Import reports created using MS Access
• Learn how to use the Programming API, convert Report file types, use command-line utilities and more

Approach

With clear instructions and plenty of screenshots, this book provides all the support and guidance you will need as you begin to generate reports with SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.

Customer Reviews (5)

The best book I have come across on this sbject
I downloaded a chapter using the free downloads link. I found I was following the steps one-by-one and really enjoying the explanations. So I decided to buy the book. I have now had a chance to read the first 6 chapters and can say that this is a "must have" book on the subject. If you are interested in subject of Reporting Services, this is the one book to own!

Learning SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services
Learning SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services is an excellent book for the beginner report writer.I have always worked with 3rd party report writing software and had only briefly looked at the report writer in SQL 2008.If you need a report put together quickly, this book will give you a jump start on making it happen!Like one of the other reviews said, you can literally put some together over a weekend.

I was lucky enough to have previous experience with this author's writing style.I purchased SQL Server Integration Services Using Visual Studio 2005 and both books are great addition to the DBA's bookshelf.

The new Reporting Services book has a little over 500 pages.Each chapter outlines a key concept, breaks it down and provides step-by-step examples on each concept in the chapter.Therefore, you can read the concept, see it (illustrations - at least one on every page!) and then do it (hands on exercises). The book is an easy read, and engages the reader so that you do not fall asleep at the end of chapter one - a must have for the beginner report writer!

I have at least a dozen books on SQL 2005/2008 and have taken all of the Microsoft instructor led courses on SQL.This is by far my favorite author for beginner books.I would love to see him write a book on Analysis Services!!

Good Hands-on Book
If you're someone that likes to follow examples, you'll be pleased with this work. I had a need to develop a report quickly (over the weekend) and I used this book as a guide. It helped me make the decisions I needed to get the report up and running quickly.

Making SSRS Simple and Easy
As a step-by-step guide, the book is expected to be relatively big. Browsing through the chapters will immediately give an impression of a careful presentation on how to use SQL Server or more particularly, SQL Server's reporting services. Of course, the relative background on why should this be the choice for developers is also explained.

The book is pretty straightforward in the sense that it helps the users deal with the application immediately. Although a small background information exists, readers will be able to use the application soon enough. The book has 10 chapters and 4 appendices that will complement the information provided in the chapters.

The challenge for this book is basically on how it will guide the user even those who are not familiar with SQL Servers. As it deals with a particular feature of the application, you can expect a detailed explanation on certain features that may affect the general outcome of the application.

As already indicated, the book aims to be a beginner's guide on this specific feature of the SQL Server 2008. To help the reader use the feature immediately, a step-by-step guide on how to implement the reporting services is immediately provided.

The book presupposes the user to have a clean slate on how to use the reporting services of SQL Server. Detailed information on how to install and explore the basic services offered by this feature is also included. This could be found in chapters 1 through 7 wherein each function of the application is explored and explained.

Also added in these chapters is the integration of the SQL Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2008. Like its 2005 version, Visual Studio 2008 has very impressive features that deal directly with SQL Server 2008.

Good book for tactile/kinesthetic learners
If you are relatively new to SQL Server Reporting Services and you're a Tactile/Kinesthetic learner (one that learns best by doing rather than listening or reading), this may be the book to help you to quickly get up to speed on Reporting Services.

The author teaches by example throughout most of the book, using the Hands-On exercises to deliver much of the book's content. I'd dare say that 70% to 80% of the book is in the form of Hands-On exercises.

The book is replete with screen shots to help those less familiar with Reporting Services follow along. For example, Hands-On Exercise 1.1 guides you through installing SQL Server 2008. The author goes to great lengths to ensure each step of the process is clear and unambiguous, using screen shots and commentary to guide the reader through each step. Exercise 1.1 is 25 pages.

If you are already well steeped in the SSRS, this book may be a bit on the remedial side for your tastes, though I suspect you'll be able to glean some useful tidbits of information about the differences from prior version of the product. ... Read more

Product Description
Microsoft's Reporting Services product is a vital part of the SQL Server 2005 business intelligence platform, but it works with virtually any data source. This hands-on guide explains how to transform data into insightful and interactive Web-based reports using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

Good Book
This book had very good material and provide excellent examples on a step by step basis for SSRS 2005. I was hired to do reporting and SSRS was the tool that my employer uses. Never used SSRS before, but reading through the book and examples provided me with a good basic foundation for using and creating reports in SSRS. This book has materials that you download from the publisher's site, but I was unable to install the Galactic database, which is the database that allows you to complete and work through the lessons. Given this fact I decided to just read/skim through the books and the lessons. Unfortunately not being able to work through the lessons and examples in SSRS did not allow me to maximize my learning experience. I recommend before you buy this book if you can get the database installed first since it is free from the publisher's website, you will then know for sure if you will be able to get some hands on training.

Good in depth reference for SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services
This is a good in depth reference for SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. It is a little more difficult to find specific information bacuase it has so much information. But the clarity of the writing and the sheer volume of information in this book make it well worth having available as a reference. Just keep in mind that at around 750 pages, this is not going to be a quick read.

This review is to help readers find sample required Galactic database for download.
Galactic database for download location.

Googling the Internet and reading posted reviews indicates that many people having problem find download of the "Galactic" database.That database author is using in study exercises in this book.On page 116 author provide link to the site for database download. As of today the database is not there.

I would recommend you download the Galactic database and MS Word installation manual before buying this book and complete installation required.

I found the download googlling on keyword "Download McGraw-Hill".Then from the search page result you must select item-

<<<<<
McGraw-Hill Professional - 4:01pm
You can download Oracle Press related source code from the ....
>>>>>

That site provides list of many downloads available for McGraw-Hill.For this book you need item "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services".

The download is in Win.Zip format chapters for the book and the "Galactic" database zip file is included. The Galactic database is in "sql" script format.It will require special installation using SQL Server. For the Galactic database installation all needed files and MS Word installation manual is included.

At this point in time I'm giving that book preliminary 4 stars just for difficulties with required sample database download.

I second that! Exceptional Clarity and useful examples
I have a lot of SQL Server experience and am an MCP in Sql Server 2000. I have purchased and used 3 books on SSRS.A quick intro type book, this book, and a "pro" book for SSRS 2008.The quick intro was fine but for depth and "step by step" instructions on the common reporting requirements-sorting,grouping,parameterization, etc. this book is EXCELLENT.

The really great thing about it is that the step by step instructions for each reporting function for each example ACTUALLY WORK! Not every programming book you will buy will have that quality.For example, the "pro" SSRS 2008 book I purchased has numerous flaws in the examples that are frustrating and slow the learning pace to a crawl.Sure, when the reviewers complained about that book, that author responded that he will answer all questions if you email him.But who wants to wait days every time they try another example for a correction to the text???

This book actually WORKS! and because the examples work on the first try without errors, you will learn FAST.

good information
This helped me with a special project that I was working on.There is a lot information that I skipped over because I didn't have time to read the whole thing.I did find most of what I was looking for in order to complete my project.
... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
The perfect handbook for those who need to deploy, install, and configure installations, upgrade from previous versions, understand network addresses, manage day-to-day operations, configure storage, manage users and groups, implement security measures, configure mail services, and perform other vital administrative tasks.
Covers the enhanced features and updates of the new version including the Microsoft .NET framework, Active Directory and its new drag and drop object management, Internet Information Server, and the Microsoft Management Console. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

As stated
Seems to be fine so far.I have very limited experience with the nuts-and-bolts of networking so it's been good.

Just what it says
I am a developer who is installing a 'real' network for the first time--up to this point, my partner and I have used an NAS device attached to a router. This is a very good book for getting a Windows Server 2003 box up and running, configuring it as a domain controller, and adding users to the network. It does a nice job explaining essential networking concepts and terms along the way. But it's a Dummies book, so don't expect an in-depth treatment of either networking or WS 2003. In other words, this book won't prepare you for a Microsoft certification exam. But from here, you can easily go into a more detailed treatment, such as Windows Server 2003 Bible. Recommended for networking newbies working on their first WS 2003 installation.

Not Actually a Dummies Book
The worst Dummies book I've ever bought.

That is, I'm sure much of the information is very useful, BUT IT ISN'T _REMOTELY_ A DUMMIES BOOK!!!!

It is clearly aimed, not at "dummies" or rank beginners with Windows Server, but at people upgrading from Windows Server 2000 or even NT Server.That would've been fine, if the title weren't dummies anything but something like "Upgrading to Windows Server 2003", but it isn't.

On the other hand, it wastes time discussing basic networking concepts that any intermediate user already knows, or shouldn't even be thinking of trying to administer a server.Maybe I shouldn't be but, running a small nonprofit without the resources to pay $100/hr. for someone to do it for us, it isn't a matter of choice.

What I needed, and still need, is a book that clearly introduces server concepts to someone who's never used it before, as one might expect a Dummies book should do.

Dummies Review
This is my first experience with the "Dummies" series of books and I am quite pleased. It is complete without being too "techie".I am an IT person in a small reegional hospital and we are changing from a NT 4.0 based server to a 2003 based server and I was concerned about easily changing all of our users over to the new system.I am hoping this book will make the transition easier.
This is my second experience with purchasing from Amazon online and they were pleasent experiences.

Review of Windows Server 2003 for dummies
Have not had a chance to read book yet.
But came on time and price was right. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (18)

good info, but needs an editor
The information content is very good, but it's hard to read.As another reviewer said, it does seem like it was rushed out the door before a proofreader/editor could look at it.If someone did, then that person needed grammar lessons and better attention to detail.I often found the grammar distracting enough that I missed the meaning of the sentence/paragraph.That caused me to have to re-read a lot of things, and slowed down my progress.

5 stars for content.2 stars for writing.Average:3.5 stars.

Good resource for integrating and extending SSRS 2008
A terrific book about SSRS 2008. I bought it a few months ago and it helped me a lot in finding solutions for integrating SSRS 2008 in other software products. Clear written. Good examples. When you have to integrate or extend SSRS according your own requirements, this book is definitely a must read!

Great Book
This book offers two things which set it apart from the competition:1) Has videos which accompany it that are excellent examples of how to use SSRS, 2) very comprehensive coverage of the topic.Excellent buy!

Good book; but, not for the beginner. Excellent author support.
I found the book interesting and informative; but, a bit too complex for the beginner. I made it through about half the book and completed the exercises; but, it was a struggle. I finally switched to a different book that suited me better. The best part of the book is the support given by the author. He has a forum for the book and answered my many questions often within hours. His help was instrumental to getting me through as much of the book as I did. I plan on finishing the other half of the book after I've completed a more basic one.

Practical Approach
Teo drills down into the nitty gritty which some other books on SSRS can leave behind (or address at too high a level not useful to real-world developers). Case in point, chapter 5 presents a solid understanding of the new tablix region with step-by-step walkthroughs where needed (implementing grouping can be a little confusing at first if you're used to other tools like MS Access). As a seasoned developer, I found many little tips and tricks which another book I just finished on the subject didn't even begin to cover.

Teo understands what developers need and what they don't. Some of us don't have a lot of time to spend experimenting with a new tool or a new version. His explanations and examples cut to the chase and left me feeling confident in my ability to put the information to use. The videos on his website are a great compliment to the text. I recommend them both. ... Read more

Product Description

Beginning SQL Server 2008 Express for Developers: From Novice to Professional takes a developer, and even a DBA, from knowing nothing about SQL Server 2008 Express Edition to being ready to design and build a fully functioning system that is secure, reliable, maintainable, and robust. The Express Edition of SQL Server is a free resource commonly used by students, developers of small systems, and those transferring skills from other databases. This book focuses on the features within the Express Edition and therefore will not confuse readers with coverage of features found only in the Development Edition. By the end of the book, readers will be ready to move on to Accelerated SQL Server 2008 as well as other books within the Apress SQL Server lineup such as Pro SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.

• Covers using the free Express Edition of SQL Server
• Describes creating a database from scratch and builds on this
• Provides an understanding of SQL Server Express 2008, allowing you to build future solutions for you and your business

Customer Reviews (5)

Great intro to SQL Server Express - 2008
I'm becomming increasingly impressed by the Apress series of technical books. This is another in a series that serves their purpose well.

Good for the beginner
I am not a developer so the title was misleading. While checking the index I saw the section on security and bought the book. I had a really tough time figuring this out on my own.We are developing a fairly simple asset db for our regional office hardware and software assets. We will be using an Access front end and SQL 2008 Express backend. We have six people accessing seven tables in various ways. Figuring out security for all of this was not easy for me. This book helped me a great deal. It appears that we don't even need to use db schemas as part of our security scenario. It was not clear in the book if schemas were necessary in all situations. I am using SSMS for all the administration. I have not done any of the exercises in the test environment, so I can't speak much on that part of the book.

Lacking Details
I realize this is a beginners' book and accept that technical depth wouldn't be appropriate; however, many examples of what to execute in the query window lack explanation as to what the lines mean. While at other points in the book, the author takes the time to do so. This doesn't aid in learning anything if you are simply entering what you see.

Additionally, there are numerous missed steps in the progression the author is taking you through. It's as if you skipped an entire paragraph because he makes sudden jumps as to where you should be.

Now, if this wasn't a beginners' book, it would be proper for an author to assume a certain level of knowledge but a beginners' book should not assume this. At first I accepted a few of these but I am now at the half-way point in the book and find it very irritating that gaps in how he arrived at where he is and the reasons he had me execute a particular SQL script is irritating. I bought the book to learn Why What and Where; not execute this and there you go, good luck.

sql management studio express
This bookprovides a great primer on how to use sql management studio express. Sql management studio is dedicated on how to use roles, schemas, tables, databases,ddl, dml. This bookshould be mandatoryfor any programmer or dba.

Great Start

A Great Book to learn SQL Server Express. Leaves nothing out and shows the right way. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed for video-production professionals, Final Cut Server sets the standard for intuitive media asset management, making it easy to manage large collections of media files efficiently. In this Apple-authorized reference guide, system integrator Drew Tucker takes you on a comprehensive tour of the software, covering everything from tools for tracking, reviewing, and approving jobs to automating complex sequences of tasks in a busy post environment. Along the way, Tucker shares essential workflows that will shave hours from your post-production jobs. You’ll learn techniques for searching, cataloging, and finding the right asset quickly, as well as how to handle large quantities of real-time HD video, audio, and still image assets in a fast-paced production environment. Administrators will find a comprehensive overview of how to set up and configure this powerful collaboration tool, how to customize it to serve individual sites, and how to automate workflows and manage storage locations, users, and groups. The guide provides comprehensive coverage of the new features in Final Cut Server 1.5 including a robust edit proxy workflow, support for still sequences and production hierarchies.

•  DVD-ROM includes lesson and media files

•  Focused lessons take you step by step through real-world projects

•  Accessible writing style puts expert instructors at your side

•  Ample illustrations help you master techniques fast

•  Lesson goals and time estimates help you plan your time

•  Chapter review questions summarize what you’ve learned and help you prepare for the Apple Pro certification exam
  

Product Description
Extend your programming skills with a comprehensive study of the key features of SQL Server 2008. Delve into the new core capabilities, get practical guidance from expert developers, and put their code samples to work. This is a must-read for Microsoft .NET and SQL Server developers who work with data access—at the database, business logic, or presentation levels.Discover how to:Query complex data with powerful Transact-SQL enhancementsUse new, non-relational features: hierarchical tables, native file streaming, and geospatial capabilitiesExploit XML inside the database to design XML-aware applicationsConsume and deliver your data using Microsoft LINQ, Entity Framework, and data bindingImplement database-level encryption and server auditingBuild and maintain data warehousesUse Microsoft Excel to build front ends for OLAP cubes, and MDX to query themIntegrate data mining into applications quickly and effectivelyGet code samples on the Web. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

MyReview - Programming MSSQL 2K8
Programming Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (PRO-Developer)

I've been working with 2008 for 2 years now and with 2005/2000/7.0/6.5 since '98. This book has really become my right hand man with quick, easy to understand reference on the new capabilities of Sql Server 2008. I find it a great, fast to access source of information for a broad range of MSSQL concepts including; CLR, Replication, BI, Linq, New Syntax, deprecation warnings.. the list goes on. The book gives enough insite to a programmer to get him started with all the above. It does not delve into great depth on any of these ideas giving the developer a chance to utilize his/her own intelligence and pursue their own path of specific interest. It does, however, provide a great launching pad on all these ideas. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more on Performance Tuning and using the Service Broker. Reality is though, this IS one book. These days there's enough going on inside Sql Server to fill a library!! This book is a fantastic single point of reference for getting one's self started in 'most' of the concepts involved in a package that's quickly becoming an SOA/Enterprise platform of choice.

A mush mash of development
What would you like to do with SQL server, programming wise as the title suggests ? - Database development for applications or Business Intelligence (reporting, analytics)? This book covers both aspects and does not give sufficient depth to do any sort of reasonable programming in either environment. "Smart Business Intelligence Solutions" ISBN-10: 0735625808 is a good book on Reporting, Analytics and ETL using integration services. For application development, I have not found a single source yet. I recommend: Apress T-Sql recipes and MSPress SQL Server Internals; also MSpress T-SQL fundamentals for beginners.

Programming Microsoft Server 2008 (PRO-Developer)
It is one of the best books I have on this new Server software.
I fully recommend it to anyone needing an update on their SQL Server skills.

Comprehensive, well-written, practical
Very useful, usable information about new features for developers in SQL Server 2008.Highly recommended.

.NET Developers need to know more about SQL Server
And this book is the book to teach them.Leonard, Andrew, and Stephen know their stuff. After one read I've already gotten tips to help me with work on SQL I'm doing right now, and I think it will be an even better reference.Nice job guys. ... Read more

Product Description
If you’re in charge of database administration, developing database software, or looking for database solutions for your company, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies can help you get a handle on this extremely popular relational database management system. Here you’ll find what’s new in the latest version; how to choose and install the right variation for your needs; how to monitor, maintain, and protect your data; and what it takes to keep your database healthy. You’ll discover how to:

• Build and maintain tables
• Design a database and communicate with it
• Retrieve, analyze, and report data
• Build solid, robust database applications
• Use the SQL Server Optimizer and Query Designer
• Navigate SQL Server with Visual Studio
• Develop useful reports with the Report Builder and Report Designer
• Create Business Intelligence solutions with Business Intelligence Development Studio
• Configure your server and perform major administrative tasks

To help you quickly find what you need, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies is divided into nine minibooks:

• Essential Concepts
• Designing and Using Databases
• Interacting With Your Data
• Database Programming
• Reporting Services
• Analysis Services
• Performance Tips and Tricks
• Database Administration
• Appendixes

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies gets you started, helps you solve problems, and will even answer your questions down the road! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very interesting
this has been a great help using SQL server 2008, I'm still going through the book and learning more each time i use this book

All in all A great book to have.
I bought this book from Barnes and Noble because I could not wait. To my delight I found this book to be well written in a lucid style. This book, mercifully, leaves out the BS that clutter most computer books. On the first day I was able to install the MS SQL server - beware it is not that simple! It is very easy to miss the Full Text search and the Filestream install.

I would have been lost if I had only this book to teach me SQL. However, I had somebackground in SQL, imparted by the Head First SQL book, and the famous Ben Forta SQL book.

I will suggest that you get your feet wet by the HeadFirst SQL book. Surely, it will be money well spent because learning SQl from this Dummy book will be difficult. SQL is a language which needs time and effort, and this book spends only a fraction of pages teaching SQL.Having said that, the fraction of pages is very well written.

Before I discovered MS SQL Server I was using MySQL programs to write queries, programs like MySQL query browser, Navicat and SQLYOG.MS Sql Server, on the other hand, was a Eureka moment, for example, among other things, the query builder is phenomenal. It will help you get results from multiple tables in a few minutes as compared to writing code (although you must know how to write SQL code for fine tuning the queries. Besides, writing SQl code is not that difficult, thanks to Head First and Ben Forta books).

The current Dummies book 'Microsoft SQl server 2008' is a breath of fresh air. Many a times it gave me insights into the SQL language which made things simpler.
IMHO, if you are a beginner, you MUST start with Head First SQL AND Ben Forta SQL books before you plunge into this book, but this book won't disappoint you, in fact you will be able to write a working DB.
All in all, a great book to have in your library - a good resource and a good friend. Highly recommended.

M Khan ... Read more

Product Description
This practical guide has exactly what you need to work with Windows Server 2008. Inside, you'll find step-by-step procedures for using all of the major components, along with discussions on complex concepts such as Active Directory replication, DFS namespaces and replication, network access protection, the Server Core edition, Windows PowerShell, server clustering, and more. All of this with a more compact presentation and a tighter focus on tasks than you'll find in bulkier references. Windows Server 2008: The Definitive Guide takes a refreshing approach. You won't find the history of Windows NT, or discussions on the way things used to work. Instead, you get only the information you need to use this server. If you're a beginning or intermediate system administrator, you learn how the system works, and how to administer machines running it. The expert administrators among you discover new concepts and components outside of your realm of expertise. Simply put, this is the most thorough reference available for Windows Server 2008, with complete guides to:

• Installing the server in a variety of different environments
  
• File services and the Windows permission structure
  
• How the domain name system (DNS) works Active Directory, including its logical and physical structure, hierarchical components, scalability, and replication
  
• Group Policy's structure and operation
  
• Managing security policy with predefined templates and customized policy plans
  
• Architectural improvements, new features, and daily administration of IIS 7 Terminal Services from both the administrator's and user's point of view
  
• Networking architecture including DNS, DHCP, VPN, RADIUS server, IAS, and IPSec
  
• Windows clustering services--applications, grouping machines, capacity and network planning, user account management, Windows PowerShell scripting and command-line technology       
  

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent intro book, but lacks in-depth coverage of some subjects.
Windows Server 2008: The Definitive Guide by Jonathan Hassell is "all you need to manage and Administer Windows Server 2008". That's what the book cover so boldly states.Let's look...
Inside you will find 14 chapters (449 pages) that cover:

- Introduction to Windows Server 2008
- Installation and Deployment
- File Services
- Domain Name System
- Group Policy and IntelliMirror
- Windows Security and Patch Management
- IIS 7
- Server Core
- Terminal Services
- DHCP and Network Access Protection
- An Introduction to Clustering Technologies
- PowerShell
- HyperV.

This is a truly helpful book to any server and network administrator, including those with years of experience in the "Windows Server world" and those who are just starting out. Unlike some of the O'Reilly books, this one is filled with crisp and informative screenshots that will guide you through many of the installation and configuration tasks.

It seems like the author did not skip anything, the coverage of the subjects is extensive and well thought-out.While some of the topics may require additional resources if you need in-depth knowledge on them, I've never seen a book that was written to cover all of the possible issues you may encounter as a server administrator working on Windows Server 2008.
Microsoft has introduced a few new things in this server OS and this book does an excellent job covering many intricate details of Windows Server 2008; especially those that differentiate Windows Server 2008 from Windows Server 2003.

Admittedly, some of the chapters - PowerShell or HyperV - just scratch the surface of these complex subjects.However, one would realize, the same publisher offers a plethora of books on the above-mentioned topics.Therefore, such light coverage of HyperV or PowerShell does not diminish the value of this book.

Strong 4 stars.

Not Quite Definitive but a great overview of Windows Server 2008 nonetheless
This book was obviously written before Windows Server 2008 was actually released and thus I don't think "The Definitive Guide" part of the title quite fits for the title."A First Look" would be more appropriate instead.

It gives you a great overview of SOME of the new features but it isn't quite thorough as I have discovered a lot of features not even touched in the book.One example is that there is an entire chapter devoted to Active Directory but that chapter only covers the Domain Services role leaving you in the dark about the other Active Directory roles that you can pick from:

Active Directory Certificate Services
Active Directory Federation Services
Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services
Active Directory Rights Management Services

Here are some other roles that the book does not cover at all or barely mentions:

UDDI Services
Streaming Media Services
Print Services
Fax Server

Another thing to note about this book is that it is not a how to book. It does provide some instructions and examples but no where near enough to where you can use this book to start deploying Windows 2008 servers.

I would buy this book strictly if you don't know about the new features of Window Server 2008.It gives you a great overview of many of the features.If your looking for a how to or reference book, stay clear of this title to avoid disappointment

Excellent Start
O'reilly does a wonderful job writing books in a logical well organized manner.

For a first edition I was hard pressed to find many obvious mistakes.They did their due diligence.

This book is written for the IT PRO, not someone looking to learn Active Directory or other services in Windows Server 2008 hoping to pass a paper cert test.It's assumed you have a broad understanding of Microsoft's culture and product lines and are looking for a practical review of technologies in 2008.

You don't have to be a AD guru to get a lot out of this book either.I would actually recommend it above Microsoft Press books, because instead of trying to indoctrinate you on a set of "standards" Hassell simply gives you a working set of parts under the hood.He doesn't get caught up on the politics or test taking.

I do not recommend this book as a project management guide to upgrading from 2003 to 2008.This isn't one of "those" books.Instead, it's a good book for someone exploring the idea and reasons for upgrading, by being exposed to what is inside 2008 Server first.

As with almost any O'Reilly book, I think this is a definite buy for your IT library.It's well priced too. ... Read more

Product Description

As the foundation of the Microsoft Business Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services provides users with faster access to data and even more tools for managing and analyzing data across multidimensional objects (databases, dimensions, cubes).

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services Unleashed is the ultimate guide for anyone who is planning to use the latest version of Analysis Services. It gives readers insight into the way Analysis Services functions, and explains practical methods for designing and creating multidimensional objects. It also provides valuable insight into the reasons behind the design decisions taken by the product development team. The authors have been involved with Analysis Services from its earliest days. They have documented in detail the internal features of Analysis Services 2008, explaining server architecture, main data structures, data processing, and query resolution algorithms.

• Discover the new functionality introduced in Analysis Services 2008 including MDX enhancements and new DMV (dynamic memory views)
• Work with the Business Intelligence Development Studio, the new Dimension Editor, and Aggregation Designer interfaces
• Enjoy complete coverage of new Shared Scalable Databases scale-out infrastructure
• Learn the key concepts of multidimensional modeling
• Explore the multidimensional object model and its definition language
• Integrate multidimensional and relational databases
• Build client applications to access data in Analysis Services
• Unravel the inner workings of the server architecture, including main data structures, data processing, and query resolution algorithms
• Learn the main concepts of the MDX language and gain an in-depth understanding of advanced MDX concepts
• Gain a deeper understanding of the internal and external protocols for data transfer, including the XML/A protocol
• Discover how Analysis Services manages memory
• Explore the security model, including role-based security, code-access security, and data security

Category: Microsoft SQL Server

Covers: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services

User Level: Intermediate-Advanced

$59.99  USA / $65.99 CAN / £38.99 Net UK±

Customer Reviews (9)

Don't buy this book!
Through the first 3 chapters I felt like the book may have some promise. True, the brief overviews didn't really pertain to any major aspects of Analysis Services, but it was interesting to learn the background of the product.

Once I got to chapters 4, 5 and 6 I almost fell asleep. The author tries to explain multidimensional cubes with no real foresight into how this applies to Analysis Services. I found myself completely confused as to what was trying to be explained. My background is mainly in RDBMS, but I have enough experience with multidimensional databases to understand the core concepts. However, I am still trying to figure out what those chapters were about.

I agree with the other commenter who mentioned that this book is completely difficult to read and I say that it is not worth buying.

Hands down .... the best book on Analysis services
I found this book to be extremely informative. I have read many other books on SSAS and I found that this book can tell you a lot about how SSAS really works. It also have an very wide and excellent coverage of topics which are seldom even discussed in many other SSAS books.

Mind you that if you are a newbie this may be a bit too overwhelming. However if you know the subject and want more detailed knowledge on inner workings of SSAS, then this book is a MUST READ.

Don't be too bothered about reviews on Amazon which say that this contains lot of XML based samples.... The XML samples are required, because the show how to use XMLA (Xml for Analysis Services).

All in all, this is the best book written on the subject.

Great Book for Deep Thinker and Advanced Users
For those of you who want to be the best at what you do, this book will get you there in a hurry.I am a professional consultant (MCS) with microsoft and I know the caliber of the authors (the most knowledgeable product people who built SSAS) and recognize the beginner book from the most advanced book.This is at the far right end of most advanced book.If you are beginner who hates XMLA, then please go get book for dummies or something and stop whining about advanced features showing here. I use this book for my reference as well as a deep understanding of the product internal.For those of you actually use MSFT BI product to build something useful and professional, this is the book for you.For those of you who are new and who cannot read very well, please find the dummies books, as those are for you.

Waste of money!
It's very appalling to see writers that claim to have worked on the product but could not give clear and accurate examples of any topics discussed. Waste of money from my perspective.

Wait for other SSAS 2008
I have thousands of hours of experience with SSAS 2000 and 2005.I think that SSAS is one of the best (if unappreciated) Microsoft products.

I bought this book for one reason - it was the first one available.If you need one now, then get it.But be warned that it's not particularly good.

The key problem is that the authors are fascinated with XML. They use raw XML to explain a wide variety of concepts and tasks.For the authors and publishers, it has the benefit of wasting a lot of space.This fattens the book and makes it look like you are getting more for your money.

Unfortunately for the readers, the book is difficult to read and completely misses the point of the SSAS interface.XML is the underlying metadata structure of SSAS.That is the last place you should look to understand cube and dimensional structure, or for modifying how the cube works.

For a professional programmer (me), time is money and productivity is everything. First you should should use the graphical and tabular representation of metadata to manipulate the cubes and dimension.THEN, you write MDX functions when necessary. If all else fails, mess with the XML.

If you can wait a few weeks, there are two new books coming out for AS 2008.I believe either would a much better alternative to this book.

Don't waste your money buying this book like I did.

Regards,

Dan. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

One of the best!
This is one of the best books for SQL Server administration that I have read.It gives a great summary with good detail on most SQL Server DBA responsibilities.

SQL Server 2008 Administration In Action
This is the worse book I have ever seem.I never give out any rating before but I have to give rating on this book as I read through several chapters, I never learn one thing.Too bad that I wrote my name on front page otherwise, I want a full money back.The author is inexperience and cover stuffs already in previous version.People should not purchased this book unless you want to waste your Mon$ny.

A must read for all DBAs
I got a copy of this book back in September of 2009 because I wanted to know more about the hardware configuration of production database servers.Specifically, I wanted to know about best practices and recommendations in the areas of storage, memory and CPU.While at the store, I read chapter 2 "Storage and System Sizing" which covers from what SATA means to areas such as RAID, SAN, solid state drives, and best practice considerations. I purchased this book just for the content in chapter 2 and had zero expectations for the rest.

After reading the remainder of the book, I commend Rod College and the team behind this volume for their fantastic job.The material is accurate, current and invaluable to DBAs at any level. You'll get a wealth of information from new features found in MS SQL 2008 to concepts you should already know but you are not familiar with in MS SQL 2008.

The web site doesn't exist
I've had the book 3 days and I'm just getting into it.It states in the "about this book" section that there is a companion web page - [...] - where you can download the pdf version of the book.Well, the link no longer exists and Rod Colledge is not listed anywhere on the manning site.

[...] does exist, but I haven't had time to really look at it.

Fantastic resource for any SQL Server administrator!
I won this via attending a webcast but given the value of it I would easily have bought it myself. This book does a fantastic job covering everything you need to know about SQL Server administration in an easy, and quite frankly fun, way. Many times I've read technical books that are flat out boring but Rod's writing style makes this book feel fresh and engaging. I highly recommend picking this book up for yourself or even for your junior DBA's to have a fantastic go-to resource on how to accomplish and understand SQL Server. Well done Rod! ... Read more

Product Description
This thorough, hands-on reference for database developers and administrators delivers expert guidance on sophisticated uses of Transact-SQL (T-SQL)—one of the most familiar and powerful programming languages for SQL Server. Written by a T-SQL guru, this guide focuses on advanced querying techniques and how queries are interpreted and processed by the SQL Server execution engine. You’ll get in-depth coverage of the sophisticated uses of T-SQL, including the differences between logical and physical processing, nesting of queries, and much more. The book explains and compares solutions to database-development problems in both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005, discussing the new T-SQL programming features added to SQL Server 2005 in detail. Includes extensive code samples, table examples, and logic puzzles to help database developers and administrators understand the intricacies and help promote mastery of T-SQL ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Enough said... Incredible book!
The reviewers before me elaborated enough about this amazing book, so I don't have much to add. This book deserves nothing but 5 stars and I don't understand reviewers giving it less than 5... If one codes in SQL (level is not relevant) he must have this book right next to him all the time (forgive my sexism). Some solutions in this book (like aggregations using XPATH) are screamingly elegant and effective. I very much admire the organization of the book: from problem definition to solution, in easy to follow format. This book totally turns you away from google's search bar and makes you praise every penny you spent on it. Great job, Itzik!

Disappointed
Very limited coverage. Nothing about date processing. I have better luck just doing a Google search on whatever it is I'm looking for.

greatness
this is one of the best books i have ever read on SQL server.
highly recommended to the enthusiast.not so much for the beginner/intermediate.
i have read it cover to cover more than once.if you are reading this review(and then you should be buying this book) and are still looking for another great author check out some of the stuff by ken england.i have only read his sql 2000 tuning book, but this book by itzik et al and that one are at the top of my fave's list.and i have heard from reliable friends that england's 2005 version was equally on point.also, didnt think the t-sql programming book was quite upto the level of this one.it was kinda like if you enjoyed this one on querying (especially that monster chapter on tuning - 130pages along with the first chapter on the "order of operations") then you already know 75+% of whats in the t-sql programming book.if that doesnt make sense to you, then buy the t-sql programming book.its got a ton of good stuff in it.

in conclusion, i am waiting to see what itzik (and delaney for that matter - check out sql 2008 internals) releases next for sql 2008.cheers.

Great reference!
If you need great background information about the best way to write queries and stored procedures for SQL server 2005 then this is a great book.Lots of detail on not only how but they why that many books leave out so that you understand why best practices are the way they are.

Fantastic in every way
As a programmer we go through many a book. And many of them read and feel like textbooks. So we skim, read in short bursts, simply would rather avoid the read.
This book is so well written that it can't be put down.And it's packed with REAL WORLD examples.Instead of just defining syntax and using a lame example, this book goes FAR beyond that, and digs deep into real world examples that really shine a light on your work.
I purchased this book almost a year ago, and it's still one of the most referenced books I have.I am constantly pulling it out when I reach a problem in my work, and this book always has great pointers to a solution.
This book will make you a T-SQL junkie, get it.

PS The logic puzzles in the back are great, too! ... Read more

Product Description

SQL Server 2008 is a first–rate database management system. It offers more capability than any previous release of SQL Server. More than just a classic relational database management system, SQL Server 2008 includes exciting and powerful features that make it useful for everything from large corporate data warehouses to ad hoc departmental databases. You’ll find enhanced support for XML, new support for spatial data, transparent data encryption, a policy–based management system, and more.

Author and developer Robin Dewson will show you the way from beginner to SQL Server 2008 professional. Learn to install SQL Server 2008 and navigate around Management Studio before getting right to the heart of mastering fundamental SQL Server 2008 tasks: creating tables, storing data, securing data, and retrieving it again. Dewson ensures you’ll be fully prepared to use all the basics and create a solid foundation for your own projects.

Don’t forget about backups! Your database will house important data, so backing up is essential to protect yourself from inevitable hardware failure. Dewson walks you through SQL Server 2008’s easy–to–use backup and recovery feature set, giving you the grounding that you need in order to set up a reliable plan for recovery in your own environment.

Learn to use Transact–SQL, a full–blown procedural language that is built right into the database system. Transact–SQL is the key to unlocking everything that SQL Server 2008 has to offer. Using Transact–SQL, you can write centrally encapsulated business logic through the use of stored procedures, automatically trigger processing through the use of triggers, and manipulate data within the server without having to move data back and forth across the network.

Finally, you’ll learn a bit about SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services, a powerful tool that allows enterprise reporting. Reporting Services enables you to develop and serve reports across your organization and even to business partners outside your company. Reporting Services also gives end users the ability to create their own reports, helping them transform business data into valuable, usable information to guide their day–to–day decisions.

What you’ll learn

• Install and manage SQL Server on your system.
• Create and secure tables.
• Store and query data; use indexes to improve query performance.
• “Sleep when the wind blows,” because you have a solid backup and recovery process.
• Run procedural code inside your database in the form of Transact–SQL procedures and triggers.
• Serve up business reports to in–house users and outside business partners via SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services.

Customer Reviews (13)

Seems like good content, typeface size is way too small.
Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the font size in this book is about a 9 ?

The examples got even smaller (8 ?) and printed in a weird font that makes the text look smashed together.
Wish I could have kept it, but I'm not going to kill my eyes.The search is on for another book.

Definitely a BEGINNERS book
I just got this book a few days ago, so haven't read too much of it yet. However, I thought I'd post this to help those confused as to who the target audience is, as evidenced by some of the poorer reviews. This is a book for SQL 2008 *beginners* -- make no mistake. I think the "...to Professionals" portion of the title is misleading. Here are some quotes:

From Amazon's official Product Description:
"Who is this book for? Developers new to SQL Server 2008."

It even says this is from the "Apress Beginning Series."

From the book's "Who This Book is For" section:
"This book is ideal for developers starting out with SQL Server 2008 or for those looking at becoming database administrators."

From the book's Overview section in Chapter 1:
"Welcome to Beginning SQL Server 2008 for Developers. This book has been written for those who are interested in learning how to create solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2008, but have no prior knowledge of SQL Server 2008."

"The aim of this book is to bring you quickly up to a level at which you are developing competently with SQL Server 2008. This book is specifically dedicated to beginners and to those who at this stage wish to use only SQL Server 2008."

Bottom line, if you are already knowledgeable on SQL 2008, you are going to learn very little in this book. If you are new to the whole process, from what I can tell so far, it's a great starting point.

Worse book ever
I read through a few chapters patiently and still didn't see anything about coding.It's more like an introduction to System DBA (and not a good one either.)This book includes so many things, but none of them detailed enough at all.Then when I read the part that OLTP should have MANY indexes and OLAP shouldn't, I almost stopped reading this book.But I told myself I should give it a chance and at least read the part for developers.Nope, I learned nothing new.So disappointed!What a waste of my time and money!

sql 2008 a great primer
Unfortunately, their are not too many introductory sql books that do not even give very much information at all on how to create databases, tables, t-sql, dml, ddl the right way in sql management studio.
This book answers the biggest question on how to use sql management studio toolscorrectly.....
how manydifferent ways can I create a table in sql management studio??? Why are roles important? Creating schemas?How can I create a table than apply t-sql??? How can I protect t-sql thru DDL??

This foundational book(which should be renamed sql server 2008 management studio)which should be mandatory for every sql developer or dba. This book makes me want to learn more about the sqlbusiness intelligence management studio. The sad truth is that alot of t-sql books assume a person knows how to create a table and then apply
sql.This book starts from the beginning and shows you various ways to create a table by creating roles or schemas and then apply t-sql and then apply ddl to help you protect the data.
If you want to learn advanced functions of business intelligence studio, reporting services, t-sql, ddl, dml
studio than you should learn this book and then move into those advanced topics....

Doesn't even cover replication
I'm a tech manual junkie and have several favorite authors (Mark Minasi and Virginia Andersen to name a couple).Seeing as my "regulars" haven't written any books on SQL Server, I tried out this one by Robin Dewson.From the first couple pages of this book, I was afraid I had made a poor purchase.About 1/3 the way in I decided to return it and get a different book on SQL Server.The grammar is convoluted and just plain improper in some places - always a red flag.As an example of poor grammar, here is an actual sentence: "This is where having a constraint defined will ensure that unique values can only be entered into columns defined within the constraint."That is the first sentence of a paragraph.What is "This"???I found myself having to read certain paragraphs over and over before granting myself that it was not just that I couldn't understand the concept of what was being presented, but that the writing was too poor to be understood.

When I finally gave up on trying to read the book front to back, I decided to just jump to the section that I mainly purchased the book for: to understand replication.However, when I looked up "replication" in the index, it wasn't even there!The book says "from Novice to Professional". So why is replication not even touched on?I'm very disappointed.And I need to understand replication by next week, so now I have to run up to the local bookstore and get a new book. ... Read more

Product Description
Your all-in-one kit for the skills measured by the core exams for Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator certification and on the job. Covering Exams 70-640, 70-642, 70-643, and 70-647, these four official Microsoft® study guides provide in-depth exam prep plus practice tests to help maximize your performance.

This kit comes packed with the tools and features that exam candidates want most including self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options. It also provides labs and exercises for skills and expertise you can apply to the job.

Focusing on Windows Server 2008 enterprise administration, topics include configuring, managing, and supporting user accounts, computer accounts, groups, Domain Name System (DNS) zones and client settings, group policy objects, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Service, and Active Directory Rights Management Service; configuring remote access, Network Access Protection, Network Authentication, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, and DNS Replication; working with Terminal Services, Web services infrastructure and security, Media Server, Windows SharePoint® Services server options, File Server, Print Services, network maintenance, and Simple Network Management Protocol; planning networks and application services; designing core identity and access management components; implementing PKI; and designing virtualization strategy.

You ll work at your own pace through the lessons and hands-on exercises. Then assess yourself by using more than 1200 practice and review questions on the CD, which features multiple, customizable testing options. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives or chapters. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get an evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition and an exam discount voucher making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

Key Book Benefits

 Excellent value: Four official Microsoft study guides covering the core requirements for MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification all in one box  In-depth coverage of exam objectives and sub-objectives plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios to enhance your performance on the job  1200+ practice and review questions  Test engine that enables customized testing, pre-assessment and post-assessment, and automated scoring and feedback  Handy exam-mapping grid  Evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition  15 percent exam discount voucher from Microsoft (limited-time offer)  All four study guides in searchable eBook format ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Exams are updated to Server 2008 R2
These books are the best exam centric resources available. However Microsoft is beginning to put Server 2008 R2 material on the exams so they need to be supplemented with material that covers Server 2008 R2.

Horrible Study Guide, Great Reference
This book has a lot of detail and makes a great reference for any of the topics covered.It gives you very detailed instructions.That being said, it makes for a horrible study guide for the 70-647 Exam, which was my intended use.It goes way deeper than necessary to cover the exam topics and is hard to get through more than 10 pages at a time.For Microsoft Exams, I usually study the Exam Cram book(s) as my primary, coupled with the MS Training Kit, and some sort of practice test software... I have had good luck with this combo.For whatever reason, it seems that Exam Cram decided not to write a book for Exam 70-647... this book is a poor substitute for Exam Cram for sure!

MCITP Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-640, 70-642, 70-643, 70-647): Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise Administrator Core Require
This collection of Microsoft training books are excellent. They can be useful as a reference source and for providing real world guidance as well. I especially like the real world labs that are in the book and also the books are excellent for preparing for taking the certifications. I would still also purchase another book if planning to take one of the certification to go alone with the training kit.

More images, please
I've only read the first two books so far.

I'm a visual learner.Microsoft seems to be going the way of requiring more be done at a command prompt vs. with a GUI.While this is a good thing for automation purposes, it's going back to the days where people have to memorize commands.While this, in itself, is not a reflection on the authors of the books, I would appreciate more screen-shots and more conceptual drawings to drive-home the teachings.

The good:It's a great value.I could have spent more money on other books and practice exams that wouldn't have provided as much value.Plus, there's a coupon inside giving you 15% off of all the exams (worth ~$60)!

Make sure you look-up the Microsoft KB article listing all the errors in the books before reading them!There are several.

Good product
I have been studying for the MCITP Enterprise Admin. I have been in the IT field for a long time and have read dozens of books. These books are good for passing the exams. They aren't anywhere near as detailed as the Unleashed books from Sams Publishing (the Orange books that go into MASSIVE detail), but they are to the point to pass the exam. You won't learn how Windows Server 2008 actually works under the hood, but you will learn what you need to pass the exams. If that is your goal, this is a good series to get. It's also a great product to start your training of Server 2008. Don't let it be the last books you buy because you won't know everything you need to know to do the job. The picture in the listing isn't quite right. The product matches the description, not the picture. 70-646 is NOT included, 70-643 IS included so don't be thrown off by this as I was after I ordered it and already had the 70-646 book. The Amazon price is incredible and you won't find it better anywhere else - trust me, I've looked. So, if you are planning on getting this, stop your search here and just buy it from Amazon. This set also includes 4 x 15% off vouchers for the exams. That brings the exam prices down to $106.25 each from $125.00. That will save you $75.00 so really it's even cheaper than the price listed! Happy reading! ... Read more

Product Description

An authoritative guide to designing effective solutions for data cleansing, ETL, and file management with SQL Server 2008 Integration Services

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is the leading tool in the data warehouse industry, used for performing extraction, transformation, and load operations.

After an overview of SSIS architecture, the authors walk you a series of real-world problems and show various techniques for handling them.

• Shows you how to design SSIS solutions for data cleansing, ETL and file management
• Demonstrates how to integrate data from a variety of data sources,
• Shows how to monitor SSIS performance,
• Demonstrates how to avoid common pitfalls involved with SSIS deployment
• Explains how to ensure performance of the deployed solution and effectively handle unexpected system failures and outages
• The companion Web site provides sample code and database scripts that readers can directly implement

This book shows you how to design, build, deploy, and manage solutions to real-world problems that SSIS administrators and developers face day-to-day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good job, keep it up
Not a beginner's book. Target audience is medium to expert level professionals.

Simply put, should I write code or architect a process flow (package) with minimum code effort to solve business problem? If architecting is a choice then this book is for you.

The book covers package framework, design and development. It walks you through design patterns for developing effective SSIS packages. There is a nice section on package's performance with comparison to memory and disk I/O bottlenecks.

The book also covers physical infrastructure and deployment by focusing on package deployment on single/multiple computers and talk about processor capacity, RAM and physical disk size.

Indispensable for Serious ETL Developers
I echo the comments of the other reviewers. I bought this book, despite it only had one reviewer comment,largely because the authors. It turned out it was best decision I ever made. Unlike other SSIS books which teach you on how to use the software, this book instead focused on real world common issues faced by ETL developers. I specifically love the logging, and chapter 7 and 8 for dimension and fact. Regardles of your SSIS level, you will definitely learn something new from this. I highly recommend this book.

SQL Server Integration Services: Problem - Design - Solution
I usually don't do book reviews (at least publicly, anyway), but when I find a piece of work that I really get a lot out of, I don't mind sharing my experience.Such was the case with a book I finished recently.SQL Server 2008 Integration Services: Problem - Design - Solution is a concise guide to becoming a better ETL developer, written by four highly experienced industry experts.After reading this book, I can recommend it without hesitation!

From the first few pages, it's obvious that this book is different from many other SSIS books.Rather than trying to teach the reader how to use the software, this book instead focuses on common business problems and the methodology behind solving them.The authors assume some familiarity with SSIS, so you won't find a comprehensive how-to manual if you've never created a package before.That being said, the concepts presented here are not so complex that only highly seasoned ETL developers will understand them; to the contrary, the book illustrates a number of simple yet practical approaches, along with relevant examples, that audiences of various skill levels will get something out of it.

One of the most relevant topics covered was the concept of building an SSIS management framework, which was my favorite part of the book.Having recently moved from an environment with a relatively small number of packages to a consulting role where I might interact with hundreds of packages a month, I found that a solid ETL framework is a critical component of success.Chapter 2 of the Problem - Design - Solution book explains why, and illustrates how, one would build an SSIS management framework.For anyone that has struggled with a large number of packages or has wrestled with the shortcomings of the built-in SSIS logging tools, this chapter should prove useful as both a guide and a best practices reference.Further into the book, the authors cover other topics essential to data warehousing ETL, including data cleansing and fact and dimension table ETL.The authors go on to cover scripting in SSIS, one of my favorite topics, and do a good job of addressing scripting patterns in both the script task and script component.Finally, the book reviews ways to monitor and improve SSIS performance.

I consider a technical book to be successful if it contains the right mix of information so that I can immediately apply what I've learned to legitimate problems and situation.To that end, this book is a winner in my opinion; even though I have been developing ETL processes in SSIS for years, I was able to walk away with some practical techniques that I began using almost immediately.Experienced ETL developers, as well as those with only a little SSIS experience, will likely find this book very useful.

Great book!
First off, let me say that this is a great book and I highly recommend reading it. I have been developing in SSIS on and off for the past 5 years and this book opened me up to new approaches on solving every day problems. Having the book broken down between Problem/Design/Solution is great because as a developer sometimes it is hard to envision when it would be the right time to use certain technologies over others.

Advanced SSIS, Thank You!
This book is really good for more advanced users.If you have developed SSIS packages in the past, and want to take the next step to make your systems better, then get this book.I am a developer for a big company and I rarely see advanced "real world" examples of SSIS solutions.I love the first chapter on SSIS logging.Download the code from the website, and it will create your logging tables and procs with just minor modifications to the scripts.

I initially put off buying this book for a week because it only had one review at the time (even though it was 5 stars).
This is an excellent Book! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Technically illuminating and human readable.
I agree with the other reviewers here, this is an exceptional book. I love the format - 50 some different essays on specific SQL Server topics. It works for me. I want to keep up with things but I don't have it in me to read an 800 page SQL Server book every month. I can read a 15 page essay about a particular topic though. Plus, the book covers a wide variety of material, from basic design ideas to the SQL CE, XML, BI, PowerShell, amongst many others.

What I've read has been clearly written and insightful. It's actually pleasant to read.

Highly recommended.

SQL Server MVP Deep Dives: Highly Recommended
I didn't buy this book the day it came out because despite the fact that all 53 of the contributors are SQL Server MVPs (indeed some of the the world's leading experts and practitioners), I wondered if the fact that there were so many authors, it might mean the chapters would be just 'sound bites' with only a moderate amount of interesting content.

I could not have been more wrong! In fact, it is the complete opposite. Over the last 4 weeks, I've learnt something significant and useful each time I've picked this book up, either directly about SQL Server or one of the associated technologies. I challenge you to pick this book up, open it at random and read a couple of pages, and not learn something useful.

The blurb states "This is no ordinary SQL Server book" and it's not.There are insights and practical know-how that are the result of years of real-world experience working with SQL Server.

The book is divided into 5 sections, broadly divided into the 5 job roles based around SQL Server:

1. Database Design and Architecture
2. Database Development
3. Database Administration
4. Performance Tuning and Optimisation
5. BI Development

The 59 chapters cover material for newcomers and pros, developers and DBAs alike, including some of the new features of SQL Server 2008.

Purchasing the hard copy book, also gets you bonus access to a free pdf version of the book. [The authors of this book have donated 100% of their royalties to support War Child International]

An excellent book, and I'm glad I bought it. Highly recommended.

$12K for WarChild
On behalf of the 53 MVPs who collaberated on the SQL Server MVP Deep Dives book , I'm pleased to say thank you to the many who have purchased the book. Together we have raised $12,400 for [...].

If you haven't yet purchased the book, you should: no other tech book is such a win/win proposition. 100% of the author royalties goes helps children traumatized by war, you get 59 great chapters, and MVPs got to share their expertise in a collaborative effort.

[...].

[....].

Very good details on top of Your SQL server knowledge
When You try to learn something to a deeper level, a book like this is good to get.

Not trying to reach everything, but going the step extra on selected areas.

I for one appreciated this book.

Wow!
Wow!Actually this could be the whole review, but I guess it does need some elaboration.This book is bound to become a classic just like Ken England's book on performance of SQL 2000 used to be, or the Inside Microsoft SQL Server series is now.

It does not happen that often that I keep postponing all but the pressing task at work to read yet another chapter.Can someone be called an SQL addict?This book may well make you one. So I've tried to get to the bottom of it and understand what is it that they have done so right.It is not only that the book is written by people who know what they are writing about, and that they display the essence of various topics which most of us have accumulated only through reading many other sources.Here it is all distilled andpresented in one single volume of 59 chapters.But more than that, it seems that they have found the ultimate golden ratio in the size of the chapters, roughly between 8 to 13 pages, so that each can be covered in one short read without distraction. Almost like reading a collection of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe or William Somerset Maugham.

Have you ever spent time going through the 1204 trace flag deadlock graphs and then made the transition to the new trace flag 1222? Here it is, explained clearly without the need to go to BOL or the web. The benefits of a covering index?Which DMVs to use?Even the absurdity of using a shrink database task in a maintenance plan (why do they offer such a thing in the first place?). It is all here. The range of topics is impressive.

I have to admit I have not read more than a seventh of the book (only got it two days ago), jumping from one topic to another, having to balance what I am interested in most, and what would immediately be applicable to my current work, but even without a FULLSCAN there is little doubt that this volume will be enthusiastically received by developers and DBAs across the globe.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Very good if you want to learn MDX
I tried several other books on MDX, and for beginner, this is head and shoulders above the rest. There are some issues with installing samples from CD, but once you past that, it's a smooth sailing. I went through the book literally step by step, and it worked well for me.

Hard to beat
If you are a beginner to intermediate MDX person, then I can't think of any better book on the subject. Don't let the "step-by-step" label misguide you into believing this book is only for the beginners. This book covers from the simple to the complex MDX queries.

The book deals from the very basic "Select { } on columns, { } on rows from [Cube]" to using Expressions, Aggregation, and navigating the hierarchies. You will learn to use all MDX keywords, functions, and syntax structures.

I would not recommend this book as a first book on SQL BI (I like Brian Larson's "Delivering Business Intelligence"). Rather, this book should be an important supplement to anyone's SQL BI knowledge. Although SQL 2008 provides a handy GUI to build a MDX queries on an existing cube, it is not a good substitute for complex MDX queries. Trust me, when the pressure is on, and the senior management wants to get key information in a hurry, understanding MDX well can save you a lot of stress and reduce the blame game so prevalent in IT.

If you are never going to use MDX, I would question the need to build and process Cubes (also called Data Mart) all together. If you have a solidly designed Data Warehouse and a well functioning ETL process, you can just query the DW using SQL for most of the information you would need. But MDX releases the potential of the Cube and makes the entire SQL BI, and the Cube in particular, far more valuable and usable.

MDX is used across multiple Business Intelligence platforms. Even if you do not plan to exclusively use SQL BI, this book will help you to understand MDX that you can apply to, let's say, Microstrategy and SAS.

This book also comes with a CD that provides sample SQL BI Development Project and a corresponding Data Warehouse database.

If you want a well written, highly structured, and clear explanations of MDX from simple to complex, then this book is the right book for you.

opinion sobre sql server 2008 mdx
El libro es excelente, permite introducirse en el tema desde cero y llegar a un nivel intermedio-alto. Lo recomiendo a todo el que quiera adentrarse en este tema

Good for new learner
This book is good start for new learner. However, if u looking of optimization and very tricky situation, this may not suite you.

It's good to see a book on MDX from MS Press
It's SQL Server 2008 MDX Step by Step and it delivers what you need to get your teeth into MDX. In the way most Step by Step books from Microsoft Press do, but I probably wouldn't recommend the book to people already fluent with MDX. ... Read more

Product Description

• After a quick primer on database design basics and the SQL query language (for those programmers who may be building their first database application), this book provides an overview of SQL Server itself, which has been dramatically redesigned with the 2005 release
• Once readers have grasped the fundamentals of database design and SQL concepts, they will then learn how to implement those concepts with Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Addresses creating and changing tables, managing keys, database normalization, writing scripts, working with stored procedures, programming with XML, and using SQL Server reporting and data transformation services
• The companion Web site provides all of the code found in the book

Customer Reviews (25)

Excellent book
This is a very good book for learning TSQL and introduces the Database objects and their related programming in an excellent way. Would recommend this book to anyone trying to learn TSQL.

It's OK
I found this book too slow and not covering enough information. Then again, I realize the spped of relaying the information via a book is a bit of a personal thing. I also would have loved to have a lot more examples. I prefer a much more hands on method.

Beginning SQL Server 2005 Programming (Programmer to Programmer)
This SQL Server book is very detail oriented. He explains clearly and straight to the point. The exercises are short on each subject. This book is meant for a beginner at SQL but some experience in programming. Great job! I will be purchasing from Amazon in the near future.

Frustration For Beginners
this book is very disappointing, It assumes the reader has knowledge of
installing SQL and migrating required Data base to be used in the book.
If you Can not get the required DATA Base in SQL then GOOD LUCK.

If you are looking to learn on your own Look Else Where.

Yes, I do have Some Programing knowledge.

Good Book For Beginners.
An Excellent Beginners book. I bought it for my friend to start on SQL SERVER 2005. I will definitely recommend it to any beginner. 5 Stars. ... Read more