SQL Server 2008 Skills Upgrade: Hands-On

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course provides comprehensive coverage of the new database developer and administrator features in MS SQL Server 2008. You learn how to use the enhanced Transact-SQL, policy-based management, transparent data encryption and Resource Governor. You upgrade an instance from SQL Server 2005 to 2008, gain the skills needed to proactively monitor your data with CDC and pinpoint performance bottlenecks. What background knowledge do I need? To succeed in this course, you should be proficient with development or administration in a SQL Server 2005 environment or have completed Course 132, SQL Server® 2005 Database Administration: Hands-On or Course 133, SQL Server® Server-Side Programming: Hands-On. If you have significant experience with SQL Server 2000, you will also benefit from this course, however, certain new features introduced in SQL Server 2005 are not covered. Who will benefit from this course? Typical participants include: Administrators Analysts Programmers Developers Designers Consultants What is SQL Server? What is Transact-SQL? SQL Server is a key component of Microsoft's Windows Server System. SQL Server is a full-featured relational database management system with support for robust server-side development. It runs on the Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 operating systems. Transact-SQL is Microsoft's dialect of SQL. It is used to manipulate data in databases and to administer databases. Knowledge of this language is essential for anyone developing applications for SQL Server 2008. Do I need to know the SQL language prior to attending this course? Yes. This course assumes a basic knowledge of the SQL SELECT statement. Knowledge of the SQL INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements is also required. Is XML knowledge required? No. This course provides background information on XML as well as hands-on experience producing and using XML. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introducing SQL Server 2008 new features 1.5 Easing development with Transact-SQL 3.0 Improving data management 1.5 Declarative Management Framework (DMF) 1.5 Proactively monitoring data 1.5 Data protection and high availability 3.0 Boosting SQL Server performance 2.0 Integrating Business Intelligence enhancements 3.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. Is this course useful to me if I am a developer experienced with SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005? Yes, this course will upgrade your current skills to include the new features in SQL Server 2008. Why should I take this course instead of one offered by Microsoft? Learning Tree is dedicated to helping accelerate the careers of our clients by providing them with world-class technology and management training. Our independence from Microsoft (and any other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of what works and what does not. This course is objective in its approach, having been developed independently from Microsoft by industry experts who bring their real-world experience to the classroom. I am a SQL Server 2000/2005 administrator and my organization is moving to SQL Server 2008. Is this course valuable to me? Absolutely. Experienced administrators currently working in SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005 will need a solid foundation in the new feature set and significant enhancements of SQL Server 2008 to ensure a successful migration. This course is designed to meet these specific needs. What kinds of hands-on exercises are performed in this course? Hands-on exercises, performed throughout the course, reinforce the concepts taught in class and provide you with the opportunity to explore the new features and administrative tools of SQL Server 2008. These exercises include: Upgrading from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008 Handling date and time values with new datatypes Saving storage with backup compression Pinpointing performance bottlenecks with extended events Setting up CDC with Management Studio Restoring an encrypted database to a different instance of SQL Server Configuring mirroring with log stream compression How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? Learning Tree offers a complete SQL Server 2008 curriculum. The courses you may take depend on the role you play in your organization. Please refer to The Learning Tree SQL Server 2008 Curriculum Q&A for more details. 139, SQL Server® 2005 Analysis Services: Hands-On  134, SQL Server® 2005 Integration Services: Hands-On  523, SQL Server® 2005 Reporting Services: Hands-On  535, Developing High-Performance SQL Server® Databases: Hands-On  538, SharePoint® Technologies: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  956, Administering Microsoft Office SharePoint® Server 2007: Hands-On

SQL Server 2008 is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.