SQL Server Events

Title: SSWUG.org Free Expo Event

Focus: Maximizing SQL Server Uptime

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

SQL Server uptime is a key component of managing your SQL Server(s). Knowing what’s important, what options you have for building out solutions to help when things go wrong, is at the core of the responsibilities for those working with databases. This expo will feature information moving to SQL Server 2008 to get you started. You’ll learn about new features and important things that you’ll want to know about as you work with SQL Server 2008. We’ll also have segments on Transactional Replication for High Availability, Database Mirroring and even log shipping basics. Join us to learn about the key elements to making sure your systems are able to provide excellent uptime options for your business, clients and end-users.

Sessions

• SQL Server 2008 Migration – Are you ready? – Josh Jones
  SQL Server 2008 is out in the wild, and companies looking to take advantage of new features such as Policy Based Management, spatial data types, and more are taking their first steps towards implementing Microsoft’s newest data platform. In this session, we’ll look at preparing for and executing migrations from both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008. Everything from checking code compatibility to feature comparisons will be touched upon, as well as covering topics such as hardware requirements, high-availability upgrades, and contingency planning.
• Using Transactional Replication as a High Availability Solution – Eric Johnson
  In this session, we will cover using transactional replication for high availability. Even if you have set up replication before, there are some differences when using it in HA situations. We will look at the recovery of logins, restoring identity columns, managing related tables, maintaining triggers on the subscriber, and several other key concepts that you must know in order to implement transactional replication as an HA solution. This session is for intermediate to advanced SQL Server DBAs with an understanding of replication concepts.
• Using Database Mirroring for High Availability – Eric Johnson
  Database Mirroring is one of the latest failover technologies available natively in SQL Server. In the session, we will cover using database mirroring for high availability. We will look at set up, maintenance, monitoring, and failover. In addition, we will look at the role of the witness server and how it is used to facilitate automatic failover. We will also look at other SQL Server objects that you need to account for when using Database Mirroring for HA and techniques you can implement in order to read the data on the mirror database. This session is for beginning to advanced SQL Server DBAs with little or no Database Mirroring experience.
• Log Shipping Basics – Brent Ozar
  The boss wants you to plan for disaster, and wants to know the business will be protected if the production SQL Server goes down. Be armed with answers about log shipping with this presentation, which will cover the basic concepts and how to implement it.

About the Speakers

Eric Johnson – Eric has worked with SSIS since its release with SQL Server 2005 and before that he spent a lot of time wading around in DTS packages. He is bringing his experiences and frustrations to you so that you can learn SSIS quickly and correctly.
Eric (Microsoft SQL MVP) is the co-founder of Consortio Services, and the primary Database Technologies Consultant. His background in Information Technology is diverse, ranging from operating systems and hardware to specialized applications and development. He has even done his fair share of work on networks. Since IT is really just a way to support business processes, he has also acquired his MBA. All in all, he has 10 years of experience with IT, a great amount of which has been working with Microsoft SQL Server. Eric has managed and designed databases of all shapes and sizes. He has delivered numerous SQL Server training classes and webcasts as well as presentations at national technology conferences. Most recently, he presented at TechMentor on SQL Server 2005 Replication, Reporting Services, and Integration Services. In addition, he is active in the local SQL Server Community, serving as the President of the Colorado Springs SQL Server Users Group.

Josh Jones – Josh Jones is co-owner and Database\Operating Systems Consultant with Consortio Services in Colorado Springs, CO. There he provides training, administration, analysis, and design support for customers utilizing SQL Server 2000 and 2005. In his 8 years as an IT professional, he has worked in multiple areas of Information Technology including Windows desktop support, Windows 2000 and 2003 server infrastructure design and support (AD, DNS, MS Exchange), telephony switch support, and network support. Josh has spoken at various PASS sponsored events about SQL Server topics such as 64-bit SQL Server Implementation, Reporting Services Administration, and Performance Tuning. He’s also a regular speaker for the SQL Server Worldwise Users Group Virtual Conference (www.vconferenceonline.com) on SQL Server topics. He’s been published in Redmond Magazine, Redmond Developer News, and Visual Studio magazine. He is the co-author of a data modeling book (“A Developers Guide to Data Modeling for SQL Server”) with SQL MVP Eric Johnson, now available from Addison-Wesley.

Brent Ozar – Brent was the fifth Microsoft Certified Master of SQL Server 2008 in the US outside of Microsoft. He’s a consultant and trainer with SQLskills.com and a Microsoft SQL Server MVP. Brent has a decade of broad IT experience, performing SQL Server database administration, systems administration, SAN administration, virtualization administration, and project management. In his current role, Brent specializes in performance tuning, virtual and cloud-based database servers, and disaster recovery. Previously, Brent spent 2 years at Southern Wine & Spirits, a Miami-based wine & spirits distributor. Brent has experience conducting training sessions, has written several technical articles, and blogs prolifically at http://www.BrentOzar.com.

Title: SQLBits – The 7 Wonders of SQL conference

Location: York, UK
Link out: Click here
Description:

SQLBits – The 7 Wonders of SQL conference, which will be taking place from September 30th to October 2nd at York University. SQLBits is the largest SQL Server conference in Europe and the previous six conferences have established it as a must-attend event for DBAs, developers and BI professionals who work with Microsoft SQL Server in the UK and Europe. We are making this the biggest event ever with capacity for over 500 SQL Server professionals.

This time SQLBits will be running the three day format that was so successful in South Wales last year. Day one will be a training day, featuring in-depth full day seminars by leading SQL Server professionals; day two will be a deep-dive conference day with advanced sessions delivered by the best speakers from the SQL Server community; and day three will be the traditional SQLBits community conference day, with a wide range of sessions covered all aspects of SQL Server at all levels of ability.

There will be a charge to attend days one and two, but day three, the Saturday, will as usual be completely free to attend allowing those without any budget still to be able to attend and experience a great day of training.

The conference will be held at the Heslington Campus of York University, a modern venue easily accessible from all parts of the country by road and rail.

Title: SQLskills Immersion Event

Location: Bellevue, WA
Link out: Click here
Description:

The goal of an Immersion Event is to provide you with an intense and focused week of training taught by the best and most experienced people in the business. We explain everything we teach to whatever depth you want to go.
SQLskills.com is owned and run by world-renowned SQL Server experts Paul S. Randal and Kimberly L. Tripp. The husband-and-wife team have over 30 years combined experience working with all sizes of SQL Server databases, in organizations as diverse as Fortune-100 companies to small, single-database businesses. Together they teach the storage internals, performance tuning, database design, database maintenance, and disaster recovery sections of Microsoft’s most advanced course – Microsoft Certified Master – SQL Server.

The Immersion Event this summer in Bellevue, Washington will be a full 5-day class, pulling in our best content on the following topics:

• On-disk structures: how the data is stored
• Index internals: how the data is organized
• Logging and recovery: how the data is protected
• Choosing the RIGHT Data Type
• Table & Index Partitioning Strategies
• Data Access
• Indexing Strategies
• Data and log file provisioning and management
• Tempdb
• Index and statistics maintenance
• Using backup and restore (plus internals)
• Consistency checking and disaster recovery

Title: Introduction to SQL Server CLR Extensibility

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

Microsoft has long billed the ability to extend SQL Server with the .NET Framework’s Common Language Runtime (or CLR) as a panacea to a myriad of woes. Join independent SQL Server expert Michael K. Campbell for a free webcast that will look at the hype, mystery, and confusion out of when and how to extend SQL Server with the CLR. By attending this webcast you’ll learn about potential CLR pitfalls, review best practices, and see first-hand how easy it is to extend SQL Server with CLR functionality.

About the Speaker
Michael K. Campbell is a contributing editor for SQL Server Magazine, a regular columnist on DevProConnections.com, and an ASPInsider. Michael is the president of OverAchiever Productions, a consultancy dedicated to technical evangelism, mentoring, and quality solutions. He specializes in SQL Server, ASP.NET, and related technologies. Michael has been a professional developer, web-master, and production DBA for several well known companies. He enjoys learning, problem solving, teaching, and creating videos for his site www.sqlservervideos.com.

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Sponsored By: Idera
www.idera.com

Title: SQL Data Camp

Location: Chennai, India
Link out: Click here
Description:

Chennai SQL Server User Group, in association with PASS is proud to host the 1st biggest SQL Server event in Chennai. Speakers are from the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) community and it provides excellent opportunity for people to interact with renowned industry experts.

Title: Query Plans and Query Processing

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

In this in-depth workshop, you’ll learn about basic elements, tools for exploring your query plans, how to detect inefficient plans and best practice guidelines.

On-demand viewing available for one week and it includes a certificate on successful completion of the post-course quiz.

This workshop, by Microsoft SQL Server MVP Kalen Delaney will explore what you need to know about query plans, several tools you can use to explore your plans, best practices and much more. This workshop is an in-depth look at how to make use of the information provided in the query plan, so that you’ll be ready to start the process of query tuning.

You’ll learn about the difference between estimated and actual plans, and when each is appropriate. You’ll observe when and why SQL Server performs index seeks or scan operations, and find out exactly what the difference is between these actions. You’ll find out how to get more details than the graphical plan provides. You’ll see the three different types of JOIN algorithms and 2 different types of aggregation algorithms.
Last but not least, we’ll what’s different during processing of data modification operations, and provide some guidelines for running the best performing modifications.
Kalen is a foremost authority on SQL Server query processing and optimization – she’s put together this workshop as a way to bring you key information you can apply to your work with SQL Server.
Before any query tuning can begin, you need to understand the current query plan. Once you understand how SQL Server is processing your query, you can look for more efficient alternatives. This workshop will give you the information you need to be able to get the best results from your tuning efforts.
You’ll be learning from one of the most renowned and respected presenters in the world – and Kalen makes sure to present in a way that both makes sense and gives you key information you can put to use.
SSWUG.ORG Workshops are not a simple webcast in these areas. We’ll explain the options, show what you can watch for, see what you need to really pay attention to. Find out what’s really important in this comprehensive vWorkshop.

Cost: $99.

Title: Practical SQL Server 2008 for the Oracle DBA

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

Course Description: This 2 day Online Seminar is to help Oracle database administrators (DBAs) leverage their skills and experience as an Oracle DBA to manage a SQL Server system. This seminar will provide a quick start for the Oracle DBA to map, compare and contrast the realm of Oracle database management to SQL Server database management.

Who should attend this course:
This course is for the experienced Oracle database administrators (DBAs) who works in an enterprise level environment and requires the skills to begin supporting and maintaining a SQL server database.

*Note: This 2-day training seminar will be delivered online via Live Meeting.  Log-in access details will be provided to registrants 1 week before start of event.*
Course Outline:

Module 1: Database and Instance
Module 2: Database Architecture
Module 3: Instance Architecture
Module 4: Data Objects
Module 5: Data Access
Module 6: Data Protection and Data Security
Module 7: Basic Administration
Module 8: Server Management
Module 9: Schema Management
Module 10: Database Security
Module 11:  Data Movement
Module 12: Backup and Recovery
Module 13: Performance Tuning
Module 14: Scalability and High Availability
Module 15: Monitoring and Alerting
Module 16: Introduction to SQL  Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Oracle

Title: Performance Monitor & Wait Events

Location: Online
Link out: Click here

Cost: free 
Description:

Learning to performance-tune a SQL Server database environment can be a long, painful process. But seasoned DBAs can save an organization significant time and expense simply by identifying when SQL Server performance has degraded and why. These gurus have a knack for making complicated analyses look simple.
Guess what? You can become one of these performance-tuning gurus — and you don’t have to spend years working 18-hour days to reach this level of expertise. Simply attend Quest’s live SQL Server training event, and you’ll walk away with insight that will elevate your SQL Server skills to new heights.
Our SQL Server experts will share their knowledge so you can quickly learn all you need to know about SQL Server performance monitor and wait events.
This Quest virtual event is free, however advance registration is required. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register today.

Speakers:

Title: Pain of the Week: Easy Ways to Fix Hard SQL Server Problems – Without a Guru

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

In this instructive webcast, you’ll learn straightforward methods for troubleshooting and resolving common poorly performing stored procedures and queries in SQL Server 2008. The presenters will show you how to easily:

• Read query execution plans and identify bottlenecks in performance
• Record system performance metrics for trend analysis
• Design databases and write Transact–SQL code to avoid common problems
• Understand what an index is, what it does, and how to build one
• Use industry-accepted best practices and develop your own to arrive at optimal database performance

Much of the webcast is based on Grant’s book, “SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled.”

Don’t miss this chance to get practical advice from working experts instead of just theories from gurus!

Presenters:

Kevin Kline, SQL Server MVP, SQL Server Systems Specialist from Quest Software [read bio]

 
Grant Fritchey, “Scary” DBA from FM Global [read bio]

Title: Pain of the Week – SQL Server for the Oracle DBA

Location: Online
Link out: Click here
Description:

In enterprise IT, database professionals face a mixed-bag of platforms within their environments — and the overlapping duties that go along with them. Whether you like it or not, you get asked to support Microsoft SQL Server operations even though you’re an Oracle DBA.
In this instructive webcast, experts from Microsoft and Quest with years of experience in both platforms will discuss the biggest issues and areas of interest for Oracle DBAs who need to work on Microsoft SQL Server. You’ll learn their tips and tricks for efficiency and gain a deeper understanding of SQL Server to help you add more value than ever to your organization.
Presenters:

Kevin Kline, SQL Server MVP, Quest Software

Buck Woody, Senior Technology Specialist, SQL Server, Microsoft
Level: 200

Prerequisites: Basic understanding of hardware, Windows Server, Windows Services and Security. Knowledge of Job and Task management is helpful.