What is this course about?

In this course, you gain extensive experience using SQL Server 2008 "Always On" technologies to build a variety of high availability solutions. You learn to install SQL Server on a cluster, set up log shipping, implement database mirroring and use replication as a high availability method.

Who will benefit from this course?

Database administrators, IT managers, network administrators and anyone involved in planning, supporting or implementing a high-availability solution with SQL Server.

What background do I need?

You should have experience with database administration at the level of Course 138, SQL Server^® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On, along with a working knowledge of Windows Server. You should know how to backup and recover databases, and manage SQL Server security.

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

Approximately 40 percent of class time is spent in hands-on exercises. Hands-on exercises provide immediate reinforcement of the material covered. Exercises include:

• Identifying availability requirements
• Installing a SQL Server Failover Cluster
• Backing up and restoring databases with advanced features
• Maintaining a warm standby server
• Mirroring a database
• Implementing replication
• Integrating high availability techniques

What platform is used for the hands-on exercises?

Exercises are performed using SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition, running on Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition.

How much time is spent on each topic?

Which versions of SQL Server are covered?

This course covers both SQL Server 2008 and 2005. The similarities between 2008 and 2005 are strong enough that if you have not yet upgraded to SQL Server 2008, approximately 80% of the course material is still applicable. If you are already working with SQL Server 2008, you will benefit from the instructor's demonstrations of important new 2008 features.

I work for a mid-size company. Is this course applicable to me?

Yes, however many of the features covered in this course require the Enterprise Edition of both Windows and SQL Server.

I am an experienced Windows network administrator who has recently been given the responsibility for one or more SQL Servers. I don't have any SQL Server experience. Is this course right for me?

This course assumes that you already have experience with SQL Server backup and recovery, and SQL Server security. If you do not have this experience, you should take Course 138, SQL Server^® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On.

Will I learn how to install a Windows cluster?

No, you will install SQL Server on a Windows cluster, but you will not install the Windows cluster.

I am using Windows Server 2003. Is this course right for me?

Yes, while there are availability enhancements that have been introduced in Windows Server 2008, many of the capabilities are also available in Windows Server 2003.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

The SQL Server courses you take vary depending on the role you play in your organization. Please refer to the SQL Server Curriculum Q&A for details on which courses are most appropriate to your role and the order in which you should take them. You may be interested in these related courses:

• 138, SQL Server® 2008 Database Administration: Hands-On 
• 532, SQL Server Transact-SQL® Programming: Hands-On 
• 961, Windows Server® 2008 Administration: Hands-On 
• 296, Project Management: Skills for Success