SQL Server 2008 R2 - Application and Multi-Server Management

SQL Server 2008 R2 introduces a set of improvements known as Application and Multi-Server Management (AMM) designed to reduce the cost and complexity of managing database servers and applications, and to help customers get more out of their SQL Server investments. Administrators can register all of their SQL Server instances and automatically collect data on utilization using a new role called a Utility Control Point (UCP). This data is consolidated and visualized using the new Utility Explorer in SQL Server Management Studio, allowing administrators to quickly isolate utilization problems and make more informed consolidation decisions.

This utilization data provides consolidated insight for both database server instances and database applications that are built using new data-tier application projects in Visual Studio 2010. Developers can now build a single unit of deployment for the data-tier portion of an application known as a DACPAC. A DACPAC contains metadata that describes all of the objects in a database application, as well as policies which govern their deployment.

A single DACPAC can be handed off to an administrator to deploy instead of collections of complicated Transact-SQL scripts. SQL Server 2008 R2 automatically evaluates the policies in the DACPAC during deployment for compliance, creates the associated database objects and registers the data-tier application. Upgrades are performed automatically from one version of a data-tier application to another, eliminating the need for administrators to perform manual upgrades.

If the database server is registered with a Utility Control Point, utilization data will be automatically collected for all registered data-tier applications and made visible in the Utility Explorer, enriching the administrator's insight.

Lessons

Hands On Lab: Creating and Deploying a Data-Tier Application
In this lab, you will create a data-tier application, check it for quality using static code analysis and correct errors using code refactoring. You will then deploy the application.
Hands On Lab: Managing Change in Data-Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010
In this lab, you will walk through a full scenario where an existing application that is using a database on our server is taken under management. This will involve making some initial changes to the application and redeploying them.
Demo: Creating a Utility Control Point (UCP)
This demonstration provides a walk-through of installing a SQL Server Utility Control Point. It provides an overview of the dashboard provided by the Utility Control Point.
Demo: Enrolling a Managed Instance using SQL Server Management Studio
This demonstration shows how to enrol a Managed Instance of SQL Server with a SQL Server Utility Control Point. It shows how to do this with both SQL Server Management Studio and with Powershell.
Demo: Working with Data-tier Application projects in Visual Studio 2010
This demonstration shows the database-developer related enhancements in Visual Studio 2010 and introduces the concept of a data-tier application project. It shows how to issue T-SQL commands directly from within Visual Studio and how to work with graphical execution plans.
Demo: Data-Tier Application Deployment
This demonstration shows how data-tier application projects are deployed. It suggests how it can be done from Visual Studio but then shows the more typical deployment via a .dacpac file and SQL Server Management Studio.
Demo: Managing Change in Data-tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010
This demonstration shows the typical lifecycle for a schema change in a data-tier application. It shows schema comparison and schema change using Visual Studio then redeployment of changes via SQL Server Management Studio.
Presentation: Introducing Application and Multi-Server Management with SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010
This presentation describes the challenges associated with managing multiple servers and the investments Microsoft have made to date in this area. Introduces the concept of the SQL Server Utility.
Presentation: Working with Data-Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010
This presentation introduces the concept of a data-tier application and contrasts it with a database project. It shows how to create and deploy data-tier applications.
Presentation: Managing Change in Data-Tier Application Projects with Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server 2008 R2
This presentation provides an overview of managing application change when using data-tier applications. It also describes the overall life-cycle of a data-tier application, how to work with .dacpac files and potential futures for data-tier applications.
Presentation: Introducing Application and Multi-Server Management with SQL Server 2008 R2 and Visual Studio 2010
Describes the challenges associated with managing multiple servers and the investments Microsoft have made to date in this area. Introduces the concept of the SQL Server Utility. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Demo: Creating a Utility Control Point
Shows how to create a SQL Server Utility Control Point in SQL Server Management Studio and then shows how to use the Utility Explorer to monitor organizational SQL Server health. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Demo: Enrolling a Managed Instance
Shows how to enroll a managed instance of SQL Server with the SQL Server Utility by using SQL Server Management Studio. Later shows how the process could be achieved using Powershell. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Presentation: Working with Data Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010
Introduces the concept of a data-tier application and contrasts it with a database project. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Demo: Creating Data-Tier Applications
Shows how to create a data-tier application and shows the enhanced T-SQL development experience provided by Visual Studio 2010. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Demo: Data-Tier Application Deployment
Shows how to deploy a data-tier application via both Visual Studio 2010 and SQL Server Management Studio. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Presentation: Managing Change in Data Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010 (Part I)
Provides an overview of managing application change when using data-tier applications. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Presentation: Managing Change in Data Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010 (Part II)
Describes the overall life-cycle of a data-tier application, how to work with .dacpac files and potential futures for data-tier applications. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.
Demo: Managing Change in Data Tier Application Projects in Visual Studio 2010
Shows how to deploy changes to a managed application. Presenter: Dr. Greg Low, MD and Mentor, SolidQ Australia.

SQL Server 2008 R2 - Application and Multi-Server Management

Lessons

The Team