SQL Server Magazine UPDATE, May 30, 2002

SQL SERVER SHINES IN DATABASE MARKET REPORT

(contributed by Brian Moran, news editor, [email protected])

Gartner recently released its summary of 2001 relational database management system (RDBMS) market share and revenue numbers. Many of the trends are similar to those the research company reported last year, which I wrote about in "Database Wars Heat Up"http://www.sqlmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=21431 ).

I encourage you to read the Gartner report, "DBMS Software Market: Flat but Not Calm," which is available free at http://www.gartner.com/reprints/microsoft/106576.html. The article is only three pages long and contains detailed breakdowns of DBMS market share and revenue numbers for 2000 and 2001 for all major vendors. Here are some interesting points I observed about this data.

What accounted for SQL Server's rapid growth in an otherwise tepid market? Sheryl Tullis, SQL Server product manager, said, "Customers are deploying their new projects on SQL Server 2000 because it's a data management and analysis platform—not just a database like our competitors offer. Customers see the value of the integrated BI and development tools, low cost of ownership, and tight integration with the .NET platform."

The Gartner report's findings probably won't surprise anyone. These trends have been developing for several years, and I predicted their acceleration in my market share commentary last year when I wrote: "Windows RDBMS growth will accelerate while growth on the UNIX platform slows. Why? Because dot-com implosions have made people much more careful about how they spend their money, and Windows RDBMS solutions tend to be more cost-effective than UNIX solutions."

Those market dynamics haven't changed, and I expect both the SQL Server and Windows RDBMS markets to continue to grow rapidly while the UNIX RDBMS market continues to contract.

CORRECTION: In my May 16 SQL Server Magazine UPDATE commentary "Staying Ahead in the Security Game" ( http://www.sqlmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=25248), I stated that you need to apply the patch in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-020 (SQL Extended Procedure Functions Contain Unchecked Buffers) to SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and SQL Server 7.0 SP4. However, SQL Server 7.0 SP4 includes the patch. So, you need to apply the patch only if you're running SQL Server 7.0 SP3 or earlier. You don't need to apply the patch if you're running SQL Server 7.0 SP4.

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2. SQL SERVER NEWS AND VIEWS

Spida Worm Infects SQL Server SYSTEMs
(contributed by Mark Joseph Edwards)

SQL Server DBAs can apply third-party software or review their system settings to guard against the Spida worm, which affects SQL Server systems. Spida, first detected last week, infects SQL Server machines that have a blank systems administrator (sa) account password. The worm's primary action is to obtain a copy of the system's SAM database, which stores sensitive account information such as usernames and password hashes, and email the database to a recipient. The worm is written in JavaScript, batch files, and compiled executables and contains a scanner that searches for other SQL systems to infect. The scanner can create large amounts of network traffic because it can spawn up to 100 threads during its scanning operations.

Antivirus software vendors have updates available to clean the worm from infected systems. Networks with firewalls that guard against intrusion to SQL Server machines (port 1433) are protected against infection from external systems. Users need to check that their SQL Server systems don't have blank passwords related to any user account, including the sa account. In addition, Microsoft has an online document that helps users secure their SQL Server installations. Users need to review the document for any relevant configuration settings that might help protect their systems. The online document is available at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/administration/2000/security.asp.

RESULTS OF PREVIOUS INSTANT POLL: SQL SERVER SECURITY

The voting has closed in SQL Server Magazine's nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "Do you spend more or less time managing SQL Server security protocols than you did two years ago?" Here are the results (+/- 1 percent) from the 130 votes:

NEW INSTANT POLL: RDBMSs IN USE

The next Instant Poll question is, "Which relational database management systems (RDBMSs) are in use at your company?" Go to the SQL Server Magazine Web site and submit your vote for 1) SQL Server, 2) Oracle and SQL Server, 3) DB2 and SQL Server, 4) Oracle, DB2, and SQL Server, or 5) Other.
http://www.sqlmag.com

SPONSOR: FREE SQL Tool from NetIQ

Need to know what's going on in your database environment? Quickly and accurately identify and investigate specific SQL Server problems with NetIQ's diagnostic dashboard, SQLcheck. This FREE tool organizes and explains critical information about your database server hardware, its operating system and SQL Server. Get the information you need for efficient database management today. Download SQLcheck now!

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

(brought to you by SQL Server Magazine and its partners)

Nextech 2002

Nextech 2002 is the new event for the next generation of IT covering storage, Web services, outsourcing, and networking. This FREE conference and exhibition runs June 11-13, 2002 at Earls Court, London.

Immediate Access to T-SQL Solutions!

Exclusive, in-depth articles, tips, tricks, and code samples all at your fingertips. Content you can't get anywhere else—brought to you by the SQL Server experts you trust such as Kalen Delaney, Itzik Ben-Gan, and others. Increase your productivity today!

4. HOT RELEASE (ADVERTISEMENT)

Free technical poster — "DTS Object Model"

WHAT'S NEW IN SQL SERVER MAGAZINE: THE DATA IS JOB ONE

Protecting and managing corporate data is a DBA's top priority. In "The Data Is Job One," Michael Otey encourages readers to avoid getting sidetracked by day-to-day troubleshooting problems that might undermine responsible data-management practices. The article appears in the June 2002 issue of SQL Server Magazine and is available online at the following URL:http://www.sqlmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=24969

HOT THREAD: PROBLEMS LINKING A SYBASE DATABASE TO SQL SERVER 2000

Dgangi is having problems linking a Sybase database to a SQL Server 2000 machine. He can see the Sybase database's schema objects in Enterprise Manager, but queries to the linked server fail. Offer your advice and read other users' suggestions on the SQL Server Magazine forums at the following URL:http://www.sqlmag.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=8&threadid=6416

TIP: APPENDING AN IDENTITY COLUMN TO A TEMPORARY TABLE

(contributed by the Microsoft SQL Server development team)

Q. I want to append an IDENTITY column to the temporary table that the following SELECT INTO statement returns:

SELECT * INTO #tmp FROM ProductsALTER TABLE ADD columned INT IDENTITY

Although I currently use ALTER TABLE, I suspect I'm making the query more complicated than I need to. How can I append the IDENTITY column another way?

A. We don't recommend using ALTER TABLE to append an IDENTITY column because it logs an update on a row-by-row basis. And in the absence of the appropriate fill factor, ALTER TABLE also causes page splits. Using SELECT INTO with the IDENTITY(type, seed, increment) clause is a more efficient method because SQL Server has to pass through the data only once and SELECT INTO uses the FAST BULK LOAD APIs to copy the data. To see an example of how to use SELECT INTO with the IDENTITY clause and a Bulk-Logged Recovery model to ensure minimal logging, click Listing 2 in the online version of the article "Appending an IDENTITY Column to a Temporary Table" at the following URL:http://www.sqlmag.com/articles/index.cfm?articleid=24506

Send your technical questions to [email protected].

6. NEW AND IMPROVED

(contributed by Carolyn Mascarenas, [email protected])

COMPARE AND SYNC DATABASES

Red Gate Software announced SQL Compare 2.0.1, software that lets DBAs compare and synchronize the structure and contents of SQL Server 2000 and 7.0 databases. The new release supports data-type changes and dependencies. The software graphically displays differences between the development and production databases. SQL Compare costs $195 as a standalone product. Contact Red Gate Software at 866-498-9946.http://www.red-gate.com

PERFORM LIGHT-DUTY MANAGEMENT OF DATABASE SERVERS

TechRev announced SQL Server Web Explorer (SSWE), software that lets you perform light-duty management of SQL Server 2000 database servers. The software lets multiple users create and delete databases; create, modify, and delete tables, fields, and views; and view and add data. The software complements SQL Server Enterprise Manager. Pricing is $49.95 for unlimited users through August 2002. After that date, the pricing will be $49.95 for one Web user and $299.95 for an unlimited number of Web users. Contact TechRev at [email protected].

7. CONTACT US

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