What is this course about?

In this course, you gain extensive experience using SQL Server 2005 tools to perform real-world administrative tasks with SQL Server Management Studio and Transact-SQL. You learn to install SQL Server, create and modify data structures, back up and recover databases, implement login and database security, and manage permissions.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is designed for those new to SQL Server or those migrating from a version prior to SQL Server 7.

This course is valuable for those whose work involves, or will involve, the administration of a SQL Server 2005 database. Typical participants include database administrators, system administrators, and application and system developers. The jobs performed by both a system administrator (primarily the custodian of resources and responsible for tuning) and a database administrator (usually responsible for security, backup and recovery, and task scheduling) are covered in-depth.

What background do I need?

It is assumed that you have relational database experience at the level of Course 131, SQL Server^® 2005: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, along with a working knowledge of computers and a familiarity with Windows at the level of Course 595, Windows Server^® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction. Programming experience is helpful but not required.

I am a SQL Server 6.x administrator. My organisation is migrating to SQL Server 2005. Is this course valuable to me?

Yes! There are significant differences between SQL Server 6.x and SQL Server 2005. This course, in conjunction with Course 131, SQL Server^® 2005: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, provides invaluable knowledge and experience with the enhanced administrative environment of SQL Server 2005.

I am an experienced SQL Server 2000 administrator. Should I take this course?

If you have had no formal training in administration and you have been administering SQL Server 2000 for less than 1 year, this is the right course for you.

What kinds of hands-on exercises are performed in this course?

Numerous hands-on exercises performing basic and advanced database administration tasks are conducted during the course, accounting for 40 percent of class time. These exercises are intended to reinforce the concepts taught in class and provide you with a real-world experience with Server. They include installing SQL Server 2005, managing storage, back up and recovery of system and user databases, managing security, scheduling multistep jobs, setting up alerts and implementing transactional replication.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What platform is used for the hands-on exercises?

This course uses Microsoft SQL Server 2005 running on Windows Server 2003 on all course participant workstations. In addition, there is a domain controller running Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server 2003.

My organisation is planning to run SQL Server 2005 on Windows 2000? Will I still benefit from this course?

Absolutely! The underlying operating system makes little difference in the role of a database administrator. This course provides you with the skills necessary to administer SQL Server 2005 on either Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003.

Why should I take this course instead of one offered by Microsoft?

Learning Tree is dedicated to accelerating the careers of our clients by providing them with world-class technology and management training. Our independence from Microsoft (and every other vendor) allows us to give an unbiased view of what works and what does not. This course is objective in its approach, having been developed independently from Microsoft by industry experts who bring their real-world experience to the classroom.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Learning Tree offers a complete SQL Server 2005 curriculum. The courses you may take depend on the role you play in your organisation. Please refer to The Learning Tree SQL Server 2005 Curriculum Q&A for more details.

The portion of the SQL Server 2005 curriculum related to this course includes:

• 131, SQL Server® 2005: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers the solid foundation knowledge and practical skills needed to exploit SQL Server 2005 for your business advantage. It is a prerequisite for this course.

Other courses of interest include:

• 595, Windows Server® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides the essential foundation for managing your Windows Server 2003 environment. Knowledge of Windows at this level is a prerequisite for this course.
• 134, SQL Server® Integration Services: Hands-On provides the skills necessary to solve data management problems by creating dynamic packages for migrating, processing and reporting on data for business intelligence.