SQL Server Magazine UPDATE, December 21, 2006

In This Issue:
In the spirit of holiday fun, Brian Moran offers an ode in homage to everyone who is suffering through year-end projects.

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December 20, 2006

1. Perspectives

2. SQL Server Watch

3. Hot Articles

4. Events and Resources

5. Featured White Paper

6. Announcements

7. Web Community

Sponsor: SPI Dynamics
Alert: How a Hacker Launches a Blind SQL Injection Attack
The newest web app vulnerability: Blind SQL Injection! Even if your web application does not return error messages, it may still be open to a Blind SQL Injection Attack. Blind SQL Injection can deliver total control of your server to a hacker giving them the ability to read, write and manipulate all data stored in your backend systems! Download this *FREE* white paper from SPI Dynamics for a complete guide to protection!

1. Perspectives

A Visit from DBA Nick
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

'Twas the week before launch, when all through the cubes,
Not a geek was sleeping, not even the slouch;
The servers were stacked in the rack with care,
In hopes this project’s end soon would be there.

Read the full article today at: http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94676/sql_server_94676.html.

Sponsor: Double-Take Software
Enhancing SQL Protection: A Case for Asynchronous Replication
Built-in SQL Server data protection features aren’t enough. Learn to use an automated data protection solution that provides 24x7 availability to meet today’s critical business demands.

2. SQL Server Watch

Visual Studio 2005 SP1 is Available
Last week, Microsoft released Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1), an update that adds more than 70 feature improvements, including new processor support (e.g., Core Duo) for code generation and profiling, performance and scale improvements in Team Foundation Server, Team Foundation Server integration with Microsoft Excel 2007 and Microsoft Project 2007, tool support for occasionally connected devices and SQL Server Compact Edition, additional support for project-file-based Web applications, and Windows Embedded 6.0 platform and tools support.

Developers who are using Visual Studio 2005 on Windows Vista will soon be able to download an update to SP1 specifically for Windows Vista implementations. The Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Vista Refresh is expected to ship after the consumer availability of Windows Vista in first quarter 2007 and is now available in beta. For more information and to download SP1 and the refresh beta, visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/support/vs2005sp1/default.aspx.

Product Watch
by Blake Eno, [email protected]

Simplify Database Documentation
Red Gate Software announced SQL Doc, a tool that transforms database documentation into a point-and-click procedure. SQL Doc lets you access database overviews—including schema and dependencies—and select which databases or sections of databases you want to document, down to the object level. SQL Doc uses Red Gate APIs to retrieve information about your databases and can add or amend object descriptions and display all cross-database dependencies. The software exports the documentation in HTML with or without frames, and the product can be accessed using command lines. A free, 14-day trial of SQL Doc is available at Red Gate's Web site. SQL Doc starts at $295 for the standard edition and $495 for the professional edition.

Backup and Restore for Shared SQL Server Hosting
myLittleTools announced myLittleBackup for SQL Server 2005 and 2000, a backup-and-restore solution specifically designed for shared SQL Server hosting. myLittleBackup lets you upload a backup file and restore it on the SQL Server even when the backup file comes from another server. After the restore, myLittleBackup checks user mappings and other options for you. The software includes two tools that help reduce your support time. The "check databases" tool lets users fix user mappings in a few clicks, without opening a support ticket. The "manage backup files" tool allows users to download, upload, and delete old backup files. For more information, contact myLittleTools at [email protected] or [email protected] or visit http://www.mylittlebackup.com.

Sponsor: PolyServe
Special Report: Perspectives on SQL Server Sprawl
How many SQL Servers are you managing? Is your database inventory out of control? Are costs difficult to manage? You’re not alone. Download this special report today to find out how SQL Server sprawl affects your organization, and learn best practices for preventing it.

3. Hot Articles

Q&A: SANs: Always Better Than DAS?
by Brian Moran, [email protected]

Contrary to popular belief, SANs aren't necessarily the best solution for a SQL Server system that must support high-end I/O on a budget. Take a quick look at the pros and cons of SANs today at http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/48183/48183.html.

Editorial: The High Cost of Server Sprawl
The hidden costs of maintenance and management make small-scale server deployment an expensive way to support new applications. Find out how server consolidation can cut down your costs and which option is best for your company. Read this article today and post your comments at http://www.sqlmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/94062/94062.html.

Puzzled by T-SQL: Book Recommendation—“Warped Passages” by Lisa Randall
A little light reading for your holiday pleasure: Itzik recommends a physics book. Read more about what’s between the universe’s hidden dimensions and SQL: http://www.sqlmag.com/Article/ArticleID/94640/sql_server_blog_94640.html.

Hot Threads:

4. Events and Resources

Are you an Oracle professional who has cross-platform responsibilities, or do you need to transfer your skill set to SQL Server? If so, register for free to attend the Cross Platform Data online event January 30 and 31 and February 1, 2007. In a seminar featuring SQL Server and Oracle experts Andrew Sisson from Scalability Experts and Douglas McDowell from Solid Quality Learning, you'll learn key concepts about SQL Server 2005, including how to deploy SQL Server's BI capabilities on Oracle, proof points demonstrating that SQL Server is enterprise-ready, and how to successfully deploy Oracle on the Windows platform.

Learn all you need to know about code signing technology, including the goals and benefits of code signing, how code signing works and the underlying cryptographic and security concepts and building blocks: http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/ebooks/codesigning?code=1220emailannc.

Take the necessary steps for application management, from conversion of legacy applications to MSI to customizing applications to fit corporate standards. Don’t overlook an important component of an OS migration—join us for the free on-demand Web seminar.

Total Cost of Ownership—TCO. It’s every executive’s favorite buzzword, but what does it really mean and how does it affect you? In this podcast, Ben Smith explains how your organization can use virtualization technology to measurably improve the TCO for servers and clients.

Find the buried treasure by uncovering the secrets of Web filtering. Complete this quiz correctly and you could be a winner!

See the complete Windows IT Pro Network guide to Web and live events.

5. Featured White Paper

Branch offices need flexibility and autonomy in implementing IT solutions; corporate requirements require centralized management, security, and compliance initiatives. Learn to resolve these conflicts and reduce your operational costs for branch offices with limited IT resources. Download the free whitepaper today!

Bonus: Register for any white paper from Windows IT Pro in the month of December, and be entered to win a Wii! Visit http://www.windowsitpro.com/whitepapers for more information and a complete white paper listing.

Hot Spot: PolyServe
The Database Utility for SQL Server
Match your SQL Server database needs to your capacity and provide high availability without adding complexity and cost. Learn more about this unique approach to virtualization tailored to meet the demands of your mission-critical applications.

6. Announcements

SQL Server Performance Tips, Articles, and Forums
Get hundreds of free tips and articles on SQL Server performance tuning and clustering. And get quick and accurate answers to your performance- and cluster-related questions in our forum. All from the SQL Server performance and clustering authority: SQL-Server-Performance.com.

Vote for the Next “IT Pro of the Month!”
Your vote counts! Take the time to reward excellence in an IT pro who deserves it. The first 100 readers to cast a vote will receive a one-year subscription to Windows IT Pro, compliments of Microsoft. Voting takes only a few seconds, so don't miss out. Cast your vote now: http://www.windowsitpro.com/go/itpromonth.

7. Web Community

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