SSWUG.org Free Expo Event
Focus: SQL Server Administration
The event is now over, we'll see you next SSWUG Expo!
The February SQL Server Expo from SSWUG.ORG is a free event, open to all. The expo will include sessions on SQL Server administration from top-name presenters. These are
encore presentations of top-rated sessions from a previous Virtual Conference - released to the community during this expo event.
Take a look at the sessions we'll be including (be sure to check out the presenters below the session listing):
Sessions
- Basics of Administering Databases for the Layman - Tom Roush
This isn't SQL administration for dummies, because people doing this aren't dumb,
they're just learning about what it takes to keep the SQL beast alive and well.
It's also not technical, the goal being to build new concepts on the foundations
built in the first presentation to help you understand not only what SQL is, but
why it does what it does. We learn what the difference between logins and users
is and why. We learn about permissions and why they're important. We also learn
about blocking - finding out what's causing the blocking, and can you actually kill
a spid? - and which one do you kill? The different kinds of backups and why you
might want to use different ones for different reasons, how to schedule them (when,
etc.). How that affects how you can recover from a disaster and so on. This session
will use some of the information that's being presented in the first talk ('Databases
for the Layman' which sets up a sample business and explains how to use those).
The user can work from the beginning (not knowing anything about SQL databases)
to being able to understand the basics of database administration by going through
these two sessions.
- Best Practices - TJ Belt
Having worked with databases for some time now, I felt it important to get some
best practices documented. This presentation will touch on the simple things that
we often take for granted while using our favorite database systems. From naming
conventions, to cursors, to temporary, derived and variable tables, to the use of
dynamic sql. We’ll touch on a great many different ideas and hopefully further cement
your own best practices, making you a more exceptional DBA or Database Developer.
- Optimizing Backup and Restore Performance - Thomas LaRock
As databases continue to grow in size, the time it takes for backup and recovery
grows in length of time. Attend this session and learn methods to minimize the time
it takes for your backups to complete, as well as how to minimize the amount of
time it takes to recover.
About the Speakers
Tom Roush- Tom is a master storyteller, known to translate Geek into plain
English in a single bound. His wry sense of humor, life experiences and vivid descriptions
are skillfully combined with his expertise as a database administrator to have you
understanding SQL in ways you never thought you would. Tom’s explanations of why
to do something are insightful, why *not* to do something enlightening, and the
stories behind them will leave you laughing to the point you forget you’re learning
something. Tom’s been an IT professional for the last 16 years and works at Avanade,
in Seattle.
TJ Belt- Tjay Belt is an outdoorsman who enjoys riding dirtbikes, waterskiing/boating,
playing racquetball and spending time with his family. When he can't be out playing,
Tjay loves to tinker with databases. Tjay has been an IT professional for over a
decade. Currently serving as a Senior Database Engineer with Cybersource in the
Infrastructure Engineering group, TJay has progressed through several roles in his
database career including developer, data guy, database developer, database analystand
DBA. Prior to Cybersource, he worked at several software companies, working at internal
customer sites in the United States and abroad. He has always gravitated to the
database side of each job and excelled. TJay studied Computer Science at Brigham
Young University and is a member and active volunteer of PASS.
Thomas LaRock- Thomas LaRock is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade
of technical and management experience. Currently serving as a database administration
manager with ING Investment Management, Thomas has progressed through several roles
at ING, including programmer, analyst, and DBA. Prior to ING, he worked at several
software and consulting companies, working at customer sites in the United States
and abroad. Thomas holds a MS degree in Mathematics from Washington State University
and is a member of the Usability Professional's Association. Thomas is also a member
of Quest's Association of SQL Server Experts, currently serves on the Board of Directors
for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), and is a SQL Server MVP
