Sessions - Fall 2012 SSWUG VC

Session Schedule

All times are Pacific Time Printable Schedule || Times and presenters are subject to change.
Day 1 || Day 2 || Day 3

Time

Title

Speaker

Room

10/2/2012 8:00 AM
-to-
8:15 AM

Interact Live with Steve Wynkoop

Stephen Wynkoop

1
10/2/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

Automating Index Management with DTA

Jason Strate

1

One of the great underutilized tools of SQL Server is the Database Engine Tuning Advisor (DTA). While we often use it to tune the index for one or two queries at a time, we do have the option to throw larger loads and automate the analysis. In this session, we'll look at what's available in DTA and the options for automating its activities. In the end, you'll learn how to use DTA to take a lot of blood, sweat, and tears out of index management.
10/2/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

What’s New In BI in SQL Server 2012

Brian Knight

3

In this session, you’ll go through a whirlwind tour of what’s new in one of Microsoft’s biggest releases of SQL Server in its history: SQL Server 2012. You’ll learn about the upcoming Crescent feature, which allows users to build ad-hoc reports easily. You’ll also learn about the Tabular Model in SSAS and the huge enhancements to SSIS. Lastly, Brian will cover the database engine enhancements that make BI more accessible and faster.
10/2/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:16 AM

Why SQL Server Internals?

Kalen Delaney

2

What’s so special about SQL Server internals that someone could write a whole book about it? Or teach a 5-day course on the topic?

In this session I’ll tell you what I mean when I talk (and write) about SQL Server internals, and why I think it is so important to anyone who wants to take their SQL Server skills to the next level. Understanding the internal workings of SQL Server doesn’t always immediately translate into better performance of your system or your queries, but the more you know about the way things work and the way they’re supposed to work, the better you’ll be able to track the reasons behind poor performance, and find a way to correct them.

We’ll talk about several different aspects of SQL Server internals, as well as explore several sources of internals-related information. I’ll also give you some tools to allow you to do your own explorations and answer many of your internals questions on your own.
10/2/2012 9:20 AM
-to-
10:20 AM

What’s New in SQL Server 2012 Relational Engine

Kevin Kline

1

This session is an overview of the big, new features across various aspects of the SQL Server relational engine in the latest release. This breezy overview quickly gets you up to speed on the major new areas of innovation in SQL Server. Topics covered include setup and configuration improvements, high-availability enhancements with Availability Groups, performance enhancements with Columnstore indexes and batch mode processing, security and auditing enhancements, and the all-new contained databases. In addition, Transact-SQL has seen a lot of new enhancements and additions in SQL Server 2012, while a few older, deprecated capabilities are also discussed.
10/2/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

Documenting Your Integrated Microsoft BI Solution

Bill Pearson

1

Having implemented BI solutions for years, I have found documentation to be a task too often resisted until late in the project, when it is hastily and incompletely prepared in remaining hours. Because the integrated Microsoft BI solution comprises multiple application layers, it is challenging to generate documentation about the whole solution in a single, unified document. In this presentation I will share approaches I’ve come to use in assembling documentation that “covers all the bases.”
10/2/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

What Happened? Exploring the Plan Cache

Kalen Delaney

2

In this session, we'll explore SQL Server's plan cache, from the way it is managed in memory, to the tools and techniques for discovering what plans are in cache, how long they've been there, how often they've been run, and whether they contain any suspected sub-optimal operators, such as table scans and hash joins. Knowing what's happened is the first step in knowing what needs to be fixed.
10/2/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

Business Intelligence in SharePoint 2010

Brian Knight

3

What’s the use of having business intelligence if you can’t make it actionable? In this session you’ll learn how to better collaborate with SharePoint 2010 and Microsoft’s BI suite. You’ll learn how PowerPivot in SharePoint will allow your users to do self-service BI. You’ll also learn how Performance Point can help you develop scorecards and aid your users in answering questions they didn’t even know they had.
10/2/2012 11:25 AM
-to-
12:00 PM

Community Lounge

1
10/2/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

What's New in SQL Server 2012 Tools

Kevin Kline

1

This session is an overview of new features within the major tools of the latest release. This quick overview points out the areas where you'll need to jump in and learn in earnest. Coverage includes the new Upgrade Advisor, to tell you what's needed to move from older versions of SQL Server to SQL Server 2012. There are new troubleshooting capabilities with Extended Events and the new sp_server_diagnostics system stored procedure. You see new features in the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), including the new point-in-time Recovery Wizard and Page-Level Recovery. The new SQL Server Data Tool (SSDT) provides a wide array of Transact-SQL debugging and data manipulation features. Finally, the Distributed Replay Utility offers new means to performance test and load test SQL Server back-ends and front-end applications.
10/2/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

Partition Magic: Storing and Manipulating Partitioned Data

Kalen Delaney

2

There are many reasons for partitioning your data and indexes in SQL Server 2005, and one of those is because moving data in and out of a partition can be more efficient than any other type of data movement. This is because the way SQL Server keeps track of the internal storage of partitioned data allows data to be moved as a metadata only operation. In this session we’ll look at the metadata for table, index and partition storage to explore exactly what happens when a partition is moved. Looking at the internals of partition storage will also allow us to understand the reasons for some of the restrictions on how and when partitions can be moved, and allow us to design our data movement processes much more reliably.
10/2/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

Indexing for Performance

Jeffrey Garbus

3

While the pundits say that 70% of performance issues are code related, we often find that we improve performance by 90% or better by indexing properly. This session talks about everything from physical storage structures, to how the optimizer selects (and chooses not to) indexes, to their physical storage structures.
Day 2
10/3/2012 8:00 AM
-to-
8:15 AM

Interact Live with Steve Wynkoop

Stephen Wynkoop

1
10/3/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

Hadoop on Azure

Lynn Langit

1

In this demo-filled session you'll see how to set up and use a Hadoop cluster to make use of your BigData. You'll also see Map/Reduce jobs in action using various languages, such as Java, JavaScript, PIG and C#. Next you'll get an idea of how to work with a HIVE table and how to query that table using HQL. Finally you'll see how to view and understand the results of your jobs via interactive queries, simple charting within the cluster and also via connectivity to other clients, such as Excel.
10/3/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

Encryption and Key Management Strategies for All SQL Server Platforms

Patrick Townsend

2

Managing encryption keys with a Hardware Security Module (HSM) is the best way to ensure encrypted data remains secure. Your encrypted data is only as secure as your encryption keys. A strong encryption key management strategy is essential for a comprehensive security policy, as well as meeting compliance requirements. This session discusses the principles and best practices for encryption and key management including key storage, secure key retrieval, key escrow, key mirroring, industry standards, compliance guidelines, and system audit.

Sponsored by:
10/3/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

SSIS for the DBA

Eric Johnson

3

In this session we will look at SSIS from a very basic standpoint and focus on operations useful to the Database Administrator. We will look at basic connection set up and how to transfer data from one server to another. We will also look at the administrative tasks available in SSIS and spend a little timing going over deployment and package scheduling.
10/3/2012 9:20 AM
-to-
10:45 AM

The Big Deal about Big Data

Paul Zikopoulos

1

Big Data can mean a lot of things to a lot of people; but one thing we're sure of, it's the hottest thing to hit the IT landscape. In this chat you'll get a comprehensive introduction to Big Data. You'll learn how to spot Big Data, it's characteristics, and what the opportunities are. (Hint, be prepared to get shocked on Volume and more). You'll get a taste of Hadoop, but realize Big Data is so much more. The speaker will also share top things to consider in the Big Data world that's often overlooked (governance, integration, search, and more). Consider this: if you Google search 'What is Big Data', you will get almost 1 billion hits!!! If you attend this session, you'll never have to Google search this phrase again.
10/3/2012 9:20 AM
-to-
10:45 AM

The Big Deal about Big Data

Paul Zikopoulos

2

Big Data can mean a lot of things to a lot of people; but one thing we're sure of, it's the hottest thing to hit the IT landscape. In this chat you'll get a comprehensive introduction to Big Data. You'll learn how to spot Big Data, it's characteristics, and what the opportunities are. (Hint, be prepared to get shocked on Volume and more). You'll get a taste of Hadoop, but realize Big Data is so much more. The speaker will also share top things to consider in the Big Data world that's often overlooked (governance, integration, search, and more). Consider this: if you Google search 'What is Big Data', you will get almost 1 billion hits!!! If you attend this session, you'll never have to Google search this phrase again.
10/3/2012 9:20 AM
-to-
10:45 AM

The Big Deal about Big Data

Paul Zikopoulos

3

Big Data can mean a lot of things to a lot of people; but one thing we're sure of, it's the hottest thing to hit the IT landscape. In this chat you'll get a comprehensive introduction to Big Data. You'll learn how to spot Big Data, it's characteristics, and what the opportunities are. (Hint, be prepared to get shocked on Volume and more). You'll get a taste of Hadoop, but realize Big Data is so much more. The speaker will also share top things to consider in the Big Data world that's often overlooked (governance, integration, search, and more). Consider this: if you Google search 'What is Big Data', you will get almost 1 billion hits!!! If you attend this session, you'll never have to Google search this phrase again.
10/3/2012 10:50 AM
-to-
11:50 AM

SQL Server 2012 Data Quality Services

Lynn Langit

1

In this session you will learn how and when to use the new data management services offered in SQL Server 2012. DQS consists of both a client and server component. Take a look at DQS in action, via demos of the client and throught integration with SSIS. See how to use these tools and understand how DQS can integrate into Master Data (Management) Services as well.

Sponsored by:
10/3/2012 10:50 AM
-to-
11:50 AM

If I were a Big Data Use Case...What would I be?

Paul Zikopoulos

2

So you know what Big Data is and you want to get started. Wondering what the most popular use cases are that organizations are journeying down the path today on? Want an idea of the spectrum of Big Data use cases, from 'getting started' to 'The Holy Grail'. Tune into this session to hear about different types of Big Data projects that your organization may want to consider. From video and sound analysis, to log analytics, entity resolution, text analytics and more, they're all covered her, along with some specific industry use cases. Ironically, you'll find that Big Data use cases across industry keep a recurring theme: in-motion, at-rest analytics; whole population analytics; unstructured data, and more.
10/3/2012 10:50 AM
-to-
11:50 AM

Superfast! - Columnstore Indexes

Kevin Kline

3

This session provides an overview of the new columnstore index feature in SQL Server 2012. First, columnstore indexes are explained and compared to standard B-Tree indexes already found in SQL Server. The requirements and limitations of columnstore, being rather complex, are also fully described. The syntax and metadata for columnstore indexes are covered. Finally, operational tips and best practices are provided, along with ways to work around the distinctive limitations of columnstore indexes provide the wrap-up.
10/3/2012 11:50 AM
-to-
12:30 PM

Community Lounge

1
10/3/2012 12:30 PM
-to-
1:30 PM

SSIS Package Deployment and Configuration

Eric Johnson

1

This session will explore the new SSIS 2012 deployment model. We will cover the setup of Integration Services Catalog and look at how projects are deployed to the catalog. In addition, we will look at how package and project parameters can be used to parameterize properties in your SSIS packages. Finally, we will look at package execution and scheduling from the Integration Services catalog.
10/3/2012 12:30 PM
-to-
1:30 PM

Join Performance

Jeffrey Garbus

2

An obvious add-on to the “indexing for performance” discussion, since most queries require data from multiple tables, being able to index properly for joins and understanding how the joins work and perform is critical to overall system performance.
10/3/2012 12:30 PM
-to-
1:30 PM

Optimizing SQL Performance in a VM

Denny Cherry

3

In this session we'll look over some of the things which you should be looking at within your virtual environment to ensure that you are getting the performance out of it that you should be. This will include how to look for CPU performance issues at the host level. We will also be discussing the Memory Balloon drivers and what they actually do, and how you should be configuring them, and why. We'll discuss some of the memory sharing technologies which are built into vSphere and Hyper-V and how they relate to SQL Server. Then we will finish up with some storage configuration options to look at. Learn how to get the most from your SQL Servers which have been virtualized. Learn how to configure SQL Servers to play nice within a virtual environment without compromising performance. Learn which battles to fight and which to let the VMware/Hyper-V admin win.
Day 3
10/4/2012 8:00 AM
-to-
8:15 AM

Interact Live with Steve Wynkoop

Stephen Wynkoop

1
10/4/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

SQL Server Table Partitioning from the ground up

Denny Cherry

1

In this session we will be looking at the SQL Server table partitioning features which were introduced in SQL Server 2008. We will look at how to create partitioned tables and indexes as well as the internals of the table. We will also look at how to move data from one partition to another and from one table to another with minimal to no impact to the users.
10/4/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

Troubleshooting Wait Stats with Extended Events

Jason Strate

2

SQL Server doesn't perform very well when you don't have the required resources available at the right time. We can usually determine when resources are lacking through analysis of wait stats. But once we have that information, what do we do next? The answer can often be found through the use of extended events. In this session, we'll look at what extended events are and how they can be used in conjunction with wait stats. We'll walk through how to set up extended events sessions and then how to use these sessions to troubleshoot some of the more common wait stat issues.
10/4/2012 8:15 AM
-to-
9:15 AM

Prototyping with PowerPivot: Handling External SSAS Grouping

Bill Pearson

3

In this session, BI Architect and MVP Bill Pearson presents an approach to accomplishing external grouping with PowerPivot. We examine ways to accomplish a stated, example business need for such grouping via the addition of PowerPivot to an integrated Microsoft BI solution. Moreover, we discuss ways to design a scalable solution with PowerPivot that we can then entrain into the base warehouse / mart / cube structure, once we’ve tested the initial solution for accuracy and completeness.
10/4/2012 9:20 AM
-to-
10:20 AM

Ninja Data Moves with Excel 2013

Brian Knight

1

Office 2013 brings with it some amazing business intelligence and data visualization enhancements. Watch how you can improve data cleansing with Excel 2013 and some of the new features integrated into Excel and the other Office tools to visualize data better than ever before.
10/4/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

Overcoming Barriers and Avoiding Mistakes with BI

Bill Pearson

1

A Dynamic Dialog session: Whether you’re considering implementing business intelligence for the first time, have completed projects in the past (and are perhaps looking at later phases), or are somewhere in between, an investment in this session will likely pay dividends. Business Intelligence Architect and Microsoft MVP Bill Pearson leads a dialog about common pitfalls or traps that we can encounter in designing and implementing BI. We’ll discuss, as a group, environmental and other challenges we have experienced, and share ways to avoid or minimize them, in our ongoing efforts with BI.
10/4/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

Securing Your Sensitive Data with EKM & TDE on SQL Server 2008/2012

Patrick Townsend

2

Organizations continue to experience damaging losses due to data breaches. This session discusses how an organization can use Extensible Key Management (EKM) and Transparent Database Encryption (TDE) on Microsoft SQL Server 2008/2012 to easily encrypt their sensitive data. Attendees will learn how to meet compliance regulations such as PCI DSS with TDE and EKM, as well as how easy it is to configure an external encryption key management Hardware Security Module (HSM). Additional concepts discussed include security best practices such as separation of duties, dual control, and split knowledge.

Sponsored by:
10/4/2012 10:25 AM
-to-
11:25 AM

XQuery for the DBA

Jason Strate

3

For the past few years, XML has been making its way more and more into our SQL Server instances. For a moment let’s forget that developers often find the need to store XML data in their databases. Outside of those databases, XML has already invaded our SQL Servers. It’s made its way into execution plans with the SHOWPLAN XML. It’s telling us about deadlock through deadlock graphs. It’s also presented to us through service broke, event notifications, and extended events. XML is there and we need to learn how to query it. In this session, we’ll explore some of the basic methods for querying XML through XQuery. By the end of the session you’ll be equipped with the tools and understanding needed to ease yourself into XQuery. Oh, and if you aren’t a DBA you can come to.
10/4/2012 11:25 AM
-to-
12:00 PM

Community Lounge

1
10/4/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

ETL for Everyone, Understanding Microsoft Data Explorer

Lynn Langit

1

In this session, you will get a look at the new Data Explorer tools. There is both a desktop and a cloud version. This toolset is designed for DBAs, SQL Developers and Analysts to perform light-weight extract, transform and load tasks. These tasks can be completed on SQL Server data as well other data sources, such as SharePoint list data, Excel data, text files, as well as RSS feeds, data from cloud data markets, such as Windows Azure Data Market and more. This demo-driven session will get you started with the beta release of Data Explorer. You will understand the what, why, when, where and how that Data Explorer brings to ETL.
10/4/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

Using SQL Server 2012's Always ON

Denny Cherry

2

In this session we will look at the features which are provided with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 as part of the "Always On" features including site to site configurations to allow of a large scale high availability solution without the need for any high end SAN storage solution. Additionally we will be looking at the ability to have redundant servers which can be used for reporting or for taking your backups reducing the load from the production database. We will also look a unique use case using SQL Server 2012's Always On feature to scale out the reads to synchronous read only copies. Learn how to setup "Always On" Lean how to leverage "Always On" to increase production performance by offloading reporting and backups.
10/4/2012 12:00 PM
-to-
1:00 PM

Cursor Performance

Jeffrey Garbus

3

While cursors are often a substitute for folks who don’t know how to think in terms of set processing, sometimes you simply have no choice. This session talks about why cursors are generally poor performers, dispels some myths to the contrary, and talks about how to improve cursor performance when using them is not a choice.