SQL Server Reference Guide

Mar 28, 2003

␡

⎙ Print

< Back Page 37 of 365 Next >

SQL Server 2005 provides several tools that you can use to manage, design code and monitor your SQL Server database systems, even with the previous version of the database engine. In this tutorial I'll focus on where these tools are and how they work — but not necessarily on how you use them in each situation. In tutorials across the site I'll explain how you use them to solve problems, write code, and configure and tune your systems. As we move through the configuration tools, I'll point out where the settings are and how they are changed, but I'll explain the effects of the settings in a tutorial on configuring SQL Server.

All of the tools I'll show you in this tutorial are available on the Windows Start menu under SQL Server 2005. If you're familiar with SQL Server 2000, you'll notice quite a few new menu items. I'll cover the primary management and performance tuning tools in this tutorial, and I'll return to the development tools in the sections designated for programming and Business Intelligence.

In SQL Server 2005, the tools have a similar look and feel throughout the suite. By default all of these tools are installed on the server. You can install many of the tools on your local workstation as well, using the standard installation procedure from the SQL Server 2005 CD.

Configuration Manager

I'll start with the tools you need to configure your server. In SQL Server 2000, configuration options are set using a combination of registry entries, Windows Control Panel Applets, SQL Server Enterprise Manager, and the sp_configure stored procedure in Query Analyzer. In SQL Server 2005, all of these settings are combined into just two tools: the Configuration Manager and the Surface Area Configuration tool (SAC).

The Configuration Manager tool is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) application that consolidates the settings involving the services and network information for SQL Server. From here you can stop and start the services for the database engine and other features such as the SQL Server Agent and Analysis Services. You can also enable or disable network protocols for SQL Server, and even change the ports the services listen on.

Figure 159

To change the service account or startup type for a SQL Server service, double-click the service name in the right-hand side of the panel. Clicking the Service and Advanced tabs within this panel allows you to configure startup options, locations and other information for each service.

To change the network settings for a SQL Server Instance or a SQL Server Client, expand the item and double-click the protocol name.

Figure 160

Each protocol has properties, settings and options based on what the protocol provides. Click on the various tabs within this panel to change a setting.

Surface Area Configuration Tool

The Surface Area Configuration tool (SAC) controls what is exposed to the network. It has two parts, one for services and connections, and the other for feature controls.

Figure 161

Let's begin by examining the Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections area. There's some overlap between this part of the SAC tool and Configuration Manager, since they both contain controls for service startup type and the connections allowed on a few network protocols.

Figure 162

The primary difference between the tools is the way you use them. In the Configuration Manager tool you're focusing more on the way the server interacts with the network and what protocols are possible. You also have a high degree of control for the service properties. In the SAC tool you're focusing more on security, and what is exposed across the protocols.

The SAC tool shows all of the SQL Server Instances installed on a server. In my example, I have SQL Server 2000, two Instances of SQL Server 2005, an Instance of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Integration Services installed. Using the SAC tool you can set the perspective of by Instance or by Component by selecting one of the views from the tabs at the bottom left-hand part of this panel.

After you select and apply the settings you want in the Services and Connections area, you can change feature selections in the Surface Area Configuration for Features area from the main screen of the SAC tool.

Figure 163

This set of panels also shows the by Instance and by Component view tabs, and you navigate it the same way as the other panels you just saw. In this section, however, you're able to enable or disable various capabilities of the server, such as Common Language Runtime (CLR) availability, Database Mail, and the xp_cmdshell extended stored procedure.

Once you've set the options the way you like in the graphical SAC tool, you can export the settings using the SAC.EXE command-line tool. This creates an XML file of the current settings which you can import to another server by using the SAC.EXE command line tool on that server. Type SAC.EXE /? at a command line to see the various options the non-graphical tool provides.

SQL Server Management Studio

The primary interface for the Database Administrator is the SQL Server Management Studio. This tool uses a Visual Studio-based interface which provides a set of development and management tools in one location with a full editing and properties screens, scripting support and more.

When you open the tool, you're presented with a panel that allows you to select where you want to connect the tool, such as the database engine or Analysis Services. You'll also need to enter your connection information, such as the server name and your security credentials. Once you connect to the server and engine, you're presented with a screen similar to this one:

Figure 164

When you first launch Management Studio, it may look different on your screen than the one shown here. There are many ways to configure the screen, so you may have panels open that aren't shown or you may have them arranged differently.

There are two primary parts to the screen. The first is the Summary view area. If this isn't shown on your system, you can click the View menu and then select Summary or press F7.

Figure 165

In this panel you have several buttons that deal with the display content across the first tab. The first navigates up through the list, the second refreshes the panel, the third synchronizes the display panel to the Object Browser list (more on that in a moment) and the fourth filters the list based on criteria you select. The last two buttons switch between a list display of the contents and various reports and dashboards that show the status of the object.

The Summary view shows general information about the current object. Double-click any object in the List view that I've shown here to set a new focus. The Summary area will split into multiple tabs across the top as you open queries and other actions. Click any tab to bring that information to the forefront.

Figure 166

In this screen I've right-clicked the AdventureWorks database and selected New Query from the menu that appears. You can also click the New Query button in icon bar at the top of the screen to start a query as well, but if you do, you're asked for your connection information again.

Your query window may not look like this one based on the options set on your system. Click the Tools and then Options item in the menu bar to change features such as line numbering and fonts.

When you're working with text, the tab name will display an asterisk next to the name of the file if it isn't saved. As you're editing a line, a thin yellow line appears next to the lines that have changed since the file was last changed.

In my screen I have other panels hidden, with only their titles shown vertically. Your screen may have these panels displayed. If you would like them to hide automatically when you work with another area of the screen, click the push-pin icon in the upper right hand corner of that panel. The panel will then "slide out" when you work with it, and "slide in" when you click any other area of the screen. This is useful if you don't have a lot of screen real-estate to work with.

There are other views for these panels as well. With a panel expanded, click the small, downward-pointing arrow to show the menu of display options.

There are several panels you can show, all selectable from the View menu bar item. Two of the most important are the Registered Servers panel and the Object Browser panel.

In the Registered Servers panel you set the server names and credentials you'll use to make connections to the servers. In the top portion of the Registered Servers panel you'll see several icons that represent the type of servers and engines you can connect to.

Figure 167

Once you click an icon, you can right-click the title of that item (in this example I've selected Database Engine) and select New and then Server Registration... to provide the name and security credentials to connect to a new server. You can remove a server in a similar fashion. Having all of the various types of servers consolidated to one location makes it simple to keep track of what you have to administer.

The next important panel is the Object Explorer. This panel is the primary navigation aid you'll use to work with the objects on the server, as well as the server itself.

Figure 168

You can select an object by clicking on it once. You can expand an object if it has a plus-sign next to its name by double-clicking it or clicking once on the plus-sign. Right-clicking any object brings up a context-sensitive menu for that object.

In this graphic, I've expanded the Databases object and selected AdventureWorks. I then right-clicked that database name and selected Properties from the menu that appeared.

Figure 169

There are several areas within this panel that show or set information about the database. The information can be sorted or grouped, depending on the type of information. Any changes made in a panel can be saved to a set of Transact-SQL commands by clicking the Script button in the top part of the panel. A new query window is created to hold the commands. From there you can save the script or run it.

There's a lot more to this versatile environment that I'll show throughout this site.

SQLCMD

The SQLCMD tool is an operating system command-line based query tool. With it you can connect to a server and run a command and receive the output on the current command window. You can also run a script from a file, send the results to a file, and even use variables with it. To see all the options, drop to a command-line in the operating system where the tool is installed and type SQLCMD /?.

Figure 170

SQL Profiler

The SQL Server Profiler tool shows activity on a server. It's a kind of "SQL Sniffer" in that it can read the information going to and from a SQL Server Database Engine or Analysis Services server. It functions similarly to the tool by the same name in SQL Server 2000, although in this version you can include Windows Performance Monitor objects and counters so that you can observer platform information along with the SQL Server activity to correlate the two. Using this feature you can determine what T-SQL statement is running when the processor or memory load is high.

Database Tuning Advisor

In SQL Server 2000, you could monitor activity for index performance issues with a tool called the Index Tuning Wizard. In SQL Server 2005, this capability is enhanced with the Database Tuning Advisor. Available as a tool of its own or from within SQL Server Management Studio, this tool can tune not only indexes but the physical layout as well.

The process is to start the tool while a set of operations are run on the server. This process is normally done on a testing server, but one similar in size and capability to the production server. Once the activity completes, the Database Tuning Advisor will make suggestions on everything from table arrangements to filegroup and index layouts, based on settings you choose.

I'll explain how to use the Database Tuning Advisor along with SQL Server Profiler to tune and optimize your SQL Server 2005 instances in another tutorial.

Informit Articles and Sample Chapters

If you'd like to learn a little more about the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment capabilities you should check out this free chapter on Visual Studio.NET by Paul D. Sheriff and Ken Getz.

Online Resources

Although it's on the beta releases, this article by Marcin Policht explains the tools from a little different angle.

< Back Page 37 of 365 Next >

🔖 Save To Your Account

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Notice

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

As required by law.
With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020

Email Address