Contents

foreword
preface
acknowledgments
about this book
about the cover illustration
about the author

Part I Planning and installation

Chapter 1 The SQL Server landscape: SQL Server 2008: evolution or revolution?; Editions and features; SQL Server tools; DBA responsibilities
Chapter 2 Storage system sizing: Characterizing I/O workload; Determining the required number of disks and controllers; Selecting the appropriate RAID level; Selecting an appropriate storage system; SQL Server and SANs; Solid-state disks; Best practice considerations: storage system sizing
Chapter 3 Physical server design: Disk configuration; CPU architecture; Memory configuration; Networking components; Server consolidation and virtualization; Best practice considerations: physical server design
Chapter 4 Installing and upgrading SQL Server 2008: Preparing for installation; Installing SQL Server; Upgrading to SQL Server 2008; Developing a service pack upgrade strategy; Best practice considerations: installing and upgrading SQL Server
Chapter 5 Failover clustering: Clustering overview; Clustering topologies and failover rules; Installing a clustered SQL Server instance; Best practice considerations: failover clustering

Part II Configuration

Chapter 6 Security: Authentication mode; Networking; Implementing least privilege; Auditing; Data encryption; SQL injection protection; Best practice considerations: security
Chapter 7 Configuring SQL Server: Memory configuration; CPU configuration; Server configuration; Operating system configuration; Best practice considerations: configuring SQL Server
Chapter 8 Policy-based management: Server management challenges; Policy-based management terms; Policies in action; Enterprise policy management; Advanced policy-based management; Best practice considerations: policy-based management
Chapter 9 Data management: Database file configuration; Filegroups; BLOB storage with FileStream; Data compression; Best practice considerations: data management

Part III Operations

Chapter 10 Backup and recovery: Backup types; Recovery models and data loss exposure; Backup options; Online piecemeal restores; Database snapshots; Backup compression; Best practice considerations: backup and recovery
Chapter 11 High availability with database mirroring: High-availability options; Transaction log shipping; Database mirroring overview; Mirroring modes; Failover options; Mirroring in action; Best practice considerations: high availability
Chapter 12 DBCC validation: DBCC validation overview; Preventing and detecting corruption; Controlling CHECKDB impact; Removing corruption; Best practice considerations: DBCC validation
Chapter 13 Index design and maintenance: An introduction to indexes; Index design; Index analysis; Index maintenance; Managing statistics; Best practice considerations: index design and maintenance
Chapter 14 Monitoring and automation: Activity Monitor; SQL Server Profiler; Performance Monitor; Task automation and alerts; Best practice considerations: monitoring and automation
Chapter 15 Data Collector and MDW: Component overview; Setup and configuration; Data collection; Custom collection sets; Reporting; Best practice considerations: Data Collector and MDW
Chapter 16 Resource Governor: Resource Governor overview; Classifier function; Workload groups; Resource pools; Resource Governor in action; Monitoring resource usage; Best practice considerations: Resource Governor
Chapter 17 Waits and queues: a performance-tuning methodology: SQLOS schedulers; Wait analysis; Common performance problems; Waits, queues, and DMV cross-reference; Best practice considerations: performance tuning