High Availability (Partitioning, File Groups (use of, backup/restore)) and an Introduction to SQL Server architecture - Tony Rogerson; Virtualising SQL Server (why, design, how, issues, solutions, troubleshooting) - Justin Langford
Network, learn, ask a question, meet other folk, get fed - these are all things that happen at user group events. These events are a really great opportunity to socialise in an informal learning experience - if you want your own exposure then come and do a 1 - 5 minute nugget in front of your peers.
Remember to tell your friends and the people you work with; make sure you register as soon as you can.
5.30pm – 6:00 Registration and networking + Tea/Coffee with biscuits.
Meet and greet.
6:00pm – 6:30pm Round Table discussion and Nuggets - ALL
Take stock and get the latest news in the SQL Server field. This is also a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you have, may be a problem at work.
It's also a great opportunity to share your knowledge and gain exposure in the industry by giving a short 1 - 6 minute "nugget" demo/tip.
6.30pm – 7:30 Tony Rogerson, SQL Server MVP
An Introduction to the SQL Server architecture and also High Availability (Partitioning and File Groups (backup, restore, partial restore))
We look at how to set up and use partitioning in SQL Server 2008 Enterprise edition; we then also look at the flexibility of file group backups as well as partial restore concepts.
For the beginners (or a reminder for non-beginners) we look at some of the SQL Server architecture - specifically; SQL Server memory use; Database structure (Files and File Groups); how SQL Server writes to the disk and when - also, anything I can spring to mind before the meeting :)!
7:30pm – 7:50 BREAK: Light refreshments
More time to network and ask questions...
7:50pm – 8.50pm Justin Langford, Coeo
Virtualising SQL Server
This session provides attendees with details on how to approach a SQL Server virtualisation project. Discussing topics central to server virtualisation such as performance and scalability considerations.
Here's a summary of the session:
a. Business and technical drivers
i. Why virtualise?
ii. Virtualisation project goals benefits and pitfalls
b. Virtualisation planning
i. Considerations for special aspects of SQL Server's resource requirements
ii. SQL Instance design
c. Virtualisation Design and implementation
i. Considerations for solution design
ii. Using Virtualisation to provide High Availability
iii. Configuration optimisations
d. Potential issues and solutions
i. Troubleshooting SQL Server on virtualised platforms
Justin is a Principal Consultant for Coeo Ltd, a Microsoft Gold Partner providing SQL Server consulting and Remote DBA services to customers who outsource management and 24x7 operations of their SQL Server platform. Justin works delivering and maintaining SQL Server solutions for customers in a variety of industry sectors throughout Europe.
Prior to joining Coeo - Justin spent three years working for Microsoft as a Premier Field Engineer. In this role, he delivered SQL Server support consulting to some of Microsoft’s largest finance and government customers in Europe. Justin has co-authored Wrox IT Pro: SQL Server Performance Tuning, two Syngress exam guides on SQL Server 2008 and contributed four chapters to the-soon-to-be-release Wrox SQL Server 2008 Internals and Troubleshooting guide with Christian Bolton, James Rowland-Jones, Jonathon Kehayias and Brent Ozar.
Justin Langford's blog http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/justinl