David E. Myers' Blog ( www.DavidEMyers.com )

OttawaSQL.net Event: Increase Performance of your SQL Server Applications, Michelle Gutzait

2009-11-03T10:29:39-05:00

November 12^th Evening Event:

Increase Performance of your SQL Server Applications -

Performance Tuning for Developers and DBAs, Michelle Gutzait

Speaker: Michelle Gutzait

Date: Thursday, November 12^th, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Venue: Microsoft Ottawa Office

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=142866

Session:

Performance degradation of an application due to database growth or coding against database performance best practices is very common. This could often result in rewriting parts of the application or partial database redesign. This session is about how to prevent performance issues as much as possible and also how to tune applications when performance degrades. One of the goals of the presentation is to give some tips around how we can be proactive by designing our database and application to be more scalable and possibly more performance. It contains information for the DBA as well as for the developer, in relation to the database and database environment.

Speaker Bio:

Michelle Gutzait is the SQL Server Team Lead for The Pythian Group, a worldwide company providing Remote Administration services for databases, operating systems, SANs and networks. Michelle has been involved in IT for 20 years as a developer, business analyst and database consultant. For the past 10 years, she has worked exclusively with SQL Server. Her skills include SQL infrastructure and database design, performance tuning, security, high availability, disaster recovery, very large databases, replication, T-SQL coding, DTS/SSIS packages, administrative and infrastructure tools development, reporting services and more. She regularly blogs at http://michelle-Gutzait.spaces.live.com

Refreshments:

Pizza and pop will be provided.

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net is a community group of Ottawa area developers and IT professionals. We share an interest in Microsoft’s data technologies especially: SQL Server, SharePoint, PerformancePoint, Workflow Foundations, LINQ, ADO.NET and Entity Framework.

Session Content Posted: Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event, and DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

2009-10-29T13:47:30-04:00

It was great to see so many people interested in Windows 7. Todd Lamothe and I were happy to have the highest attendance of any OWSUG event ever for our presentation (110 attendees):

Thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks to all of you that got involved in the conversation with your excellent questions!

You can download the session content for the event here: http://www.davidemyers.com/2009/10/AreYouReadyForWindows7Ottawa.pdf

DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

For all of you that were interested in deploying DirectAccess, I’m also happy to share that Microsoft has now released the Infrastructure Planning and Design (IPD) Guide for DirectAccess. This solution accelerator will help get you up to speed on all of the details that need to be considered when you’re planning your deployment. Cruise on over to the Springboard Series Blog and check out Stephen Rose’s post on the topic.

Free Windows 7 Deployment eBook, Are you ready for Windows 7? - Ottawa Community Event, and Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

2009-10-21T13:28:21-04:00

Deploying Windows 7 eBook:

Just in time for the Windows 7 launch, MS Press and TechNet have brought us a free Windows 7 deployment eBook: Deploying Windows 7 eBook. At over 300 pages of goodness, it contains several chapters from the Windows 7 Resource kit and several articles from TechNet magazine. Best of all it’s a free download!

Are you ready for Windows 7? – Ottawa Community Event

Todd Lamothe and I will be presenting tomorrow night in Ottawa at the Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event . Not in the Ottawa area? Don’t worry, check out the events page on the Talking About Windows site to find out about events in your area. We’ll be covering some of the deployment tools and techniques presented in the guide and helping IT pros get ready for Windows 7.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

If you are wondering if your machine will work with Windows 7, check out the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before you pick up your copy of the upgrade. This tool can scan your XP or Vista machine and give you a couple of nice reports to let you know what your options are for moving to 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 7:

October 15th Evening SQL Server DBA Event: Disaster Recovery - Edwin Sarmiento, MVP for SQL Server

2009-10-14T10:19:50-04:00

October 15^th Evening SQL Server DBA Event: Disaster Recovery - Edwin Sarmiento, MVP for SQL Server

Speaker: Edwin M. Sarmiento, MVP for SQL Server

Date: Thursday, October 15^th, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Venue: Microsoft Ottawa Office

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=142063

Session 1 (6:00 PM to 7:10 PM): Understanding and communicating business-orientated disaster recovery concepts and objectives

So you have a database maintenance plan that does a backup of your databases and you’re pretty sure that it works fine. But is that really enough? Are you sure that you will be able to meet your service level agreements if and when disaster strikes? This session will explain the need for understanding and communicating business-orientated disaster recovery concepts and objectives to the business stakeholders. This will include defining your RPO and RTO and how it affects your disaster recovery plan.

Session 2 (7:20 to 8:30 PM): Disaster Recovery for the Paranoid DBA

In the first session, much have been said about disaster recovery in general. In this session, we will look at bringing the concepts down to SQL Server. This session will focus on dealing with a recovery situation for a SQL Server 2005/2008 database, an instance or an entire server. Topics covered will be backup schemes, partial backups and piecemeal restores, page-level recovery and a thorough understanding of how to troubleshoot a "Suspect" database.

Speaker Bio:

Edwin M. Sarmiento (MVP for SQL Server) works as a Senior SQL Server DBA/Systems Engineer for The Pythian Group in Ottawa, Canada. He is very passionate about technology but has interests in music, professional and organizational development, leadership and management matters when not working with databases. He lives up to his primary mission statement - "To help people grow and develop their full potential as God has planned for them.".

Refreshments:

Pizza and pop will be provided.

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net is a community group of Ottawa area developers and IT professionals. We share an interest in Microsoft’s data technologies especially: SQL Server, SharePoint, PerformancePoint, Workflow Foundations, LINQ, ADO.NET and Entity Framework.

September SQL Server Events in Ottawa

2009-09-14T12:26:09-04:00

This month we are happy to announce 3 excellent SQL Server training events in Ottawa at the Microsoft office. Check the RSVP link for event details.

September 17^th Evening:

Presented by the Ottawa Windows Server User Group
Topic: How to protect SQL Server using Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager 2007 SP1 (DPM)
Speaker: Islam Gomaa
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=141173

September 21^st Lunch:

Topic: Why RPO and RTO should be a requirement in disaster recovery plan
Speaker: Edwin M. Sarmiento
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=141028

September 23^rd Evening:

Unleash Management Studio 2.0, Don Kiely
SQL Server Efficiencies: Sparse Columns and Filtered Indexes, Don Kiely
Speaker: Don Kiely
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=141029

OttawaSQL.net is a community group of Ottawa area developers and IT professionals. We share an interest in Microsoft’s data technologies especially: SQL Server, SharePoint, PerformancePoint, Workflow Foundations, LINQ, ADO.NET and Entity Framework.

Windows 7 RTM Demo Machine

2009-08-25T00:55:37-04:00

Earlier this month I presented a SQL Server Reporting Services session to the Ottawa SQL Server user group. I was a bit hesitant to re-install my presentation machine to move from Windows 7 RC to RTM. After all, I didn’t have a lot of time after Windows 7 RTM was released on MSDN before I needed to present. I decided to bite the bullet and do it anyway. It turned out to be a good move (hey, sometimes even I’m lucky :)

I was able to run my demos flawlessly using SQL Server 2008 SP1, running on a Windows Server 2008 SP2 virtual machine. I ran everything from the VM in full screen mode (including the PowerPoint slides) using the release candidate of Windows Virtual PC on top of Windows 7 x64 Ultimate RTM. The only slight performance problem didn’t come from SQL Server but one of the PowerPoint slides that had animations (go figure).

Some of the attendees were asking what kind of hardware I was running on so here’s the low down:

Laptop – Dell Studio XPS 16; Processor – Intel Core 2 Duo T9600; RAM – 8 GB

With this rig I was able to comfortably dedicate 3 GB of RAM to the virtual machine. I have to say it was nice to be able to run everything from the VM.

Since I do a lot of demos and testing (playing) with new versions of software I like to keep my host OS installed with a minimum of applications. No SSMS, Visual Studio or anything of the likes, just a stable release of Office 2007 applications. I don’t want to go the Hyper-V route on the laptop hard drive, because I want to take advantage of the graphics card and the mobile power management feature. Besides, I can take advantage of Hyper-V by booting off the eSATA connector (one of the main requirements on my shortlist for the laptop purchase!!!).

After using Windows 7 RTM for 2 weeks, I can honestly say that I haven’t experienced any issues and performance has been smoking. (Funny thing is that I can say the same thing about my Windows 7 RC experience too!)

So, what’s next? Time to dig into BitLocker to see if the performance story continues. ***Yes! I can finally have the laptop, my portable USB hard drive and USB thumb drive all encrypted by the same system!!!*** (Have laptop will travel… with data this time, no more bad dreams, no more paranoia… LOL)

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event August 12th: SSRS 2008

2009-07-30T01:33:43-04:00

Business Intelligence with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 – an Evening Event: Wednesday, August 12th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Microsoft Ottawa, World Exchange Plaza

Part 1: An Introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, David E. Myers

Ever since business database applications were introduced, there was a need for great reporting tools. Executives soon realized that the difference between an okay report and a great report could make or break sales, or their career advancement. With the release of SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, Microsoft has made a stronger case for investing in their reporting solution. In this session we will get an overview of the value proposition, core architecture, development tools and how SSRS integrates nicely with SharePoint and MS Office 2007 applications.

David E. Myers (MVP for SQL Server, MCT, MCITP, MCDSB, MCSE) is an IT professional and developer at the Upper Canada District School Board (Brockville, ON). David primarily works with SQL Server, SharePoint and Windows Client / Server infrastructure, but like most Canadian IT professionals he wears many hats. As an active member of the Ottawa IT community, he is constantly looking to connect with people that share his passion for technology. In his spare time, he works as a consultant and trainer for AgileDesignworks.com.

Part 2: An Introduction to Developing Enterprise Solutions with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, Colin Melia

A powerful set of features sits behind the SSRS designers and web interface. This session will introduce you to how you can programmatically integrate some of those capabilities into your own solutions from creating RDL files to integrating report generation into your enterprise application workflow. The architecture of SSRS also allows for various types of extensions. We’ll further explore how you can extend the reporting pipeline with custom components for deeper integration.

Colin Melia is a Solution Architect for DreamDigital, a UK company CTO/director and committee member for Ottawa user groups. He has been a hands-on Architect for over 17 years having led the creation of award-winning desktop-based immersive business simulation technology, online learning portals and in-depth competency performance tracking systems as well as creating the first streaming video community site with Windows Media. He has worked in the finance, telecoms, e-learning, Internet communications and gaming industries, with his latest business solutions now in use by thousands world-wide in corporations like GE, HP, O2, Cisco, IBM, KPMG & Reuters.

Register at: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=139999

Refreshments: Pizza and pop will be provided.

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net is a community group of Ottawa area developers and IT professionals. We share an interest in Microsoft’s data technologies especially: SQL Server, SharePoint, PerformancePoint, Workflow Foundations, LINQ, ADO.NET and Entity Framework.

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event July 23rd 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

2009-07-16T11:58:20-04:00

Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services 2008

SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is an ideal tool to extract, transform and load / distribute data. In many BI projects up to 70% of the effort is spent on developing efficient ETL processes. SSIS is designed to reduce the development time and maintenance involved with this critical task.

In his session, Christian will cover the following topics:

Overview of SSIS control flow tasks
Overview of SSIS data flow components
Useful new features in SSIS 2008
Demonstration: Integration of various data sources including XML, flat files and Excel into a data mart.

Christian Coté, IA-Tech Consulting

Christian Coté is an IT professional with more than 10 years of experience working on business intelligence projects. He is currently working on his 6th major SSIS implementation since it was released in 2006. Before SSIS was released, Christian developed ETL processes using a range of tools on multiple platforms. Christian has been a presenter at a number of conferences and code camps and most recently presented a special session to our OttawaSQL.net BI study group. He currently co-leads the SQL Server PASS chapter in Montreal.

Register at: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=139419
Arrival: 5:30 PM to 5:55 PM
Session: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Refreshments: Pizza and Pop

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net June 17th Event: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study, Lynda Rab

2009-06-17T08:36:12-04:00

Topic: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study

What do they want to count? And what do they want to count by? This session will be presented in the form of a case study that will take the answers to those questions, the data from multiple OLTP databases and take you step by step through the path of creating a basic but well formed dimensional model. What data should go in the Fact tables? How many Dimensions tables are needed? What do you mean by ‘Determine the Grain’? What is a Bus Matrix? This session will answer those questions using examples and also provide you with a step by step process that can be used for any new Data Warehousing project. During the session, Lynda will share what she feels are the most important things to remember and the most important things to avoid based on her 8 years of experience creating and working with Dimensional models.

Speaker: Lynda Rab, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Lynda Rab is an IT professional with over 15 years of technical experience. She has been working with SQL Server since version 4.2 and is now focusing her efforts on Data Warehousing working for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Lynda is the Program Director for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS) and is a member of the OttawaSQL.net executive team.

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=138407
Arrival: 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM
Session: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Refreshments: Pizza and Pop

OWSUG June 3rd Event: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

2009-06-02T08:45:54-04:00

Topic: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Windows 7 Security Tidbits - Windows 7 is coming and the boss is asking you about all those new security features. Perhaps you've heard some buzz about AppLocker? What’s this about DirectAccess connecting securely to your corporate network without a VPN? What’s up with BitlLocker To Go? In this fun and interactive session, Kai Axford, a Microsoft Senior Security Strategist with Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing team, will demonstrate some of the new security features in Microsoft's newest desktop operating system. Bring your questions and get the scoop on these upcoming Microsoft security technologies!

Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat – Many analysts have stated that the Number One issue facing corporate customers today is the threat of targeted corporate espionage coming from within the organization. Join Kai Axford, a security strategist from the Microsoft Trustworthy Computing team for an entertaining and engaging session, as he shares real stories from the trenches about the risk this threat presents for both you and your customers. He’ll demo the means by which these attacks occur and discuss the mindset of the attackers. Don’t miss the chance to see how this is done!

Speaker: Kai Axford, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Group

Kai Axford (CISSP, MCSE-Security) is a Senior Security Strategist in Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing Group. A ten-year Microsoft veteran, Kai is responsible for discussing and recommending security solutions for both private and public sector organizations. In addition, he conducts Chief Security Officer councils worldwide, taking executive feedback and affecting change within Microsoft’s security products and processes.

Kai started with Microsoft in 1999 as a Server Support Engineer and then moved on to become an IT Pro Evangelist, focusing on his peers through the Microsoft TechNet Events program. Kai has delivered more than 300 security presentations on a variety of topics, including digital forensics, security management, incident response, and computer espionage. He is a frequent speaker at security conferences, executive meetings, and business seminars around the world.

He is finishing an MBA in Information Assurance and is a member of ISSA, INFRAGARD, ASIS, and the North Texas Electronic Crimes Task Force. He was the recipient of the 2006 “Rising Star” award from the Information Security Executive council. Kai is interested in security management and hopes to become a Chief Security Officer one day.

Prior to Microsoft, Kai served as a leader in several real-world operations with the U.S. Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment. Originally from Wisconsin, Kai is a huge NFL Green Bay Packers fan. He is based in Dallas, Texas with his lovely wife, a new baby boy, and a (very wet) yellow Labrador.

Agenda:

5:00 p.m. Event registration
5:30 p.m. Q & A
8:00 p.m. Door Prizes

Notes:

Pizza and Pop will be served, Please RSVP to help us order enough of both.
Please note that no one will be admitted after 5:55 p.m.!

RSVP: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=138491

David E. Myers' Blog ( www.DavidEMyers.com )

OttawaSQL.net Event: Increase Performance of your SQL Server Applications, Michelle Gutzait

Session Content Posted: Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event, and DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

Free Windows 7 Deployment eBook, Are you ready for Windows 7? - Ottawa Community Event, and Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Deploying Windows 7 eBook:

Are you ready for Windows 7? – Ottawa Community Event

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

October 15th Evening SQL Server DBA Event: Disaster Recovery - Edwin Sarmiento, MVP for SQL Server

September SQL Server Events in Ottawa

September 17^th Evening:

September 21^st Lunch:

September 23^rd Evening:

Windows 7 RTM Demo Machine

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event August 12th: SSRS 2008

Business Intelligence with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 – an Evening Event: Wednesday, August 12th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Microsoft Ottawa, World Exchange Plaza

Part 1: An Introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, David E. Myers

Part 2: An Introduction to Developing Enterprise Solutions with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, Colin Melia

Register at: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=139999

Refreshments: Pizza and pop will be provided.

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event July 23rd 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services 2008

Christian Coté, IA-Tech Consulting

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net June 17th Event: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study, Lynda Rab

Topic: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study

Speaker: Lynda Rab, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

OWSUG June 3rd Event: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Topic: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Speaker: Kai Axford, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Group

David E. Myers' Blog ( www.DavidEMyers.com )

OttawaSQL.net Event: Increase Performance of your SQL Server Applications, Michelle Gutzait

Session Content Posted: Are you ready for Windows 7? Ottawa Community Event, and DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

DirectAccess Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide Released

Free Windows 7 Deployment eBook, Are you ready for Windows 7? - Ottawa Community Event, and Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Deploying Windows 7 eBook:

Are you ready for Windows 7? – Ottawa Community Event

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

October 15th Evening SQL Server DBA Event: Disaster Recovery - Edwin Sarmiento, MVP for SQL Server

September SQL Server Events in Ottawa

September 17th Evening:

September 21st Lunch:

September 23rd Evening:

Windows 7 RTM Demo Machine

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event August 12th: SSRS 2008

Business Intelligence with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 – an Evening Event: Wednesday, August 12th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Microsoft Ottawa, World Exchange Plaza

Part 1: An Introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, David E. Myers

Part 2: An Introduction to Developing Enterprise Solutions with SQL Server Reporting Services 2008, Colin Melia

Register at: http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=139999

Refreshments: Pizza and pop will be provided.

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net Business Intelligence Evening Event July 23rd 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Introduction to SQL Server Integration Services 2008

Christian Coté, IA-Tech Consulting

Note: No one will be admitted by building security after 5:55 PM, and the event will start promptly at 6:00 PM.

OttawaSQL.net June 17th Event: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study, Lynda Rab

Topic: Introduction to Dimensional Modeling - A Case Study

Speaker: Lynda Rab, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

OWSUG June 3rd Event: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Topic: Windows 7 Security Tidbits & Understanding and Preventing Insider Threat

Speaker: Kai Axford, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Group

September 17^th Evening:

September 21^st Lunch:

September 23^rd Evening: