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Posted Friday, June 08, 2007 2:10 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. This is the last day of TechEd, and people are already leaving to fly home, and things are winding down.
Yesterday, when the vendor section ended at 3:00 PM, within a few seconds of making the closing announcement, convention center staff were literally beginning to rip off the carpeting on the floor, even before the vendors could clean up their booths. I have never seen such a highly organized effort. If only IT professionals were so efficient, it would be a much more productive world.
One thing I noticed in the “Ask the Experts” area today is that the level of questions were more complex than previous days. We seemed to have more seasoned DBAs come over instead of novice DBAs. I guess the novices go home early and the professionals stay around until the last moment to absorb everything they can.
And even better deal today was the discounts at the TechEd store. Everything was 20%-50% off the regular prices. I scored some great bargains. If you attend TechEd in the future, keep this in mind. Wait until Friday to buy anything. There seemed to be plenty of stock.
Last night was the TechEd party of Universal’s Island of Adventure. As expected, it did rain some, but only for a short time. Even for a closed party, the park was very busy. Many of the rides had over an hour wait. In any event, it was a nice break from the grind of attending sessions.
As this is my first TechEd, I want to make a comment as the value of TechEd to DBAs. I have attended SQL PASS and SQL Connection conferences, and each has their niche. If you are a solid, card-carrying admin DBA, then PASS is the must conference to attend. If you lean more toward to developer side of database administration, then SQL Connections, with its associated .NET sessions, is a good bet. On the other hand, TechEd is more geared to IT professionals specializing in infrastructure, with a mix of DBA and developer topics.
So if you are a full-time DBA, with a limited travel budget, I would attend PASS first, SQL Connections second, and TechEd last.
Maxx
3:00 PM Orlando, FL
Friday, June 08, 2007
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Posted Thursday, June 07, 2007 1:02 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. TechEd was bustling today. A lot of vendors were giving away big prizes, and swag trolls were getting the last goodies they could before TechEd ends tomorrow. Most of the vendors have already run out of give-aways. I think enough tee-shirts where given away at TechEd to clothe a small third world country.
We also got a lot more questions in the “Ask the Experts” SQL Server DBA table. Some of the questions we go included:
How do you synch SQL Server login IDs between production and test databases?
How do you perform log shipping?
How do you create SQL Server alias names?
What are the different features of the various SQL Server editions?
How do you configure SQL Server for use on a SAN?
What’s interesting, is that all these subjects are well-covered in SQL Server Books Online. You would think that people would use this valuable resource more. But I guess not.
Tonight is the really big party for all TechEd attendees. It is being held at Universal’s Island of Adventure between 7:00 and 11:00 PM. The weather doesn’t look good for tonight’s event, so we are crossing our fingers there is no rain.
Actually, this is the only after hours event I plan to attend, and I am only attending because I scored free passes for my wife and daughter, so we can go as a family.
Being the third day of TechEd, you are starting to see information overload in many of the attendees. I know I experience the same thing myself when attending session after session at conferences. A full week of seminars is very overwhelming. I doubt if people remember even 10% of what they have learned here, but I guess that’s the nature of conferences.
Maxx
1:30 PM Orlando, FL
Thursday, June 07, 2007
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Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2007 2:54 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. TechEd has continued to pick up today. It seems odd to me that Monday and Wednesday were busy days, while Tuesday was so slow. Maybe this is normal, but since this is my first TechEd, it is new to me.
As I write this, there is a major thunderstorm and heavy rain outside the convention center. The thunder is rolling through the convention center, making it sound like a war outside. I guess this is keeping attendees inside, enjoying the conference.
One of the themes I have noticed at TechEd is virtualization of SQL Server. Right now, this appears to be happening on VMWare, not Microsoft Virtual Server. But hopefully, when Windows 2008 comes out, we will have more choices for virtualization platforms. While I fully understand the benefits of virtualization, I am not sure that it is a great platform for SQL Server. I guess time will tell. I spoke to one lady who said that management has mandated that all their Windows servers, including SQL Server, be moved to VMWare, and she was looking how to best do this. I don’t envy her. I would really be worried about performance under VMWare for busy production SQL Servers.
When I was talking to one attendee, he told me that he would love to see a SQL Server tool that would poll SQL Server user connections, and identify “dumb ass” users using up SQL Server resources unnecessarily, and automatically kill the connection. I fully understand his feelings. I hate monitoring active connections in SQL Server, identifying abusers and killing their connections. (Well, secretly, it is fun to kill their connections, but don’t tell anyone that I said this.)
There is a big party tonight for “Microsoft Influencers,” that is the hot party to attend. The only problem is that there are a limited number of tickets available. I happened to walk by the ticket booth about 1:00AM, and there was a long line of people waiting to grab unclaimed tickets. I was invited, but gave my ticket away. Maybe I should have auctioned it on Ebay.
Maxx
4:00 PM Orlando, FL
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2007 10:03 AM |
Maxx Dopp here. This morning, activity at TechEd has picked up. We have been getting lots of questions about SQL Server. Some of the questions have included:
How do permissions on linked servers work?
How do I use SQL Server encryption?
How do I convert DTS packages to SSIS packages.
How do you find object dependencies in databases?
How to you rebuild a corrupted transaction log?
As a DBA, how do you ensure that all critical organizational data is backed up, even when you don’t have direct control of it?
Of the above questions, the last one was the most interesting to me, as it is a common problem. As DBAs, it is our responsibility to protect the organization’s data. But often, we don’t have physical access to all the data we are responsible for. For example, there may be SQL Servers in remote offices that you manage, but you can’t control how backups are done. But when a database fails, and nobody has made backups as they should, you are blamed for the problem. This is a tough problem to deal with. One solution is to require that all databases be located in a central data center. Another option is to allow the DBA to be responsible for backups of remote databases. Each of these solutions has pros and cons from the perspective of the DBA. In most cases, it is politics, not practical realities that determine the answer to the above question. If you have any comments on this issue, please post them.
The questions still all seem to from novice DBAs. In fact, some of the most popular DBA-related sessions have been on basic subjects. This is telling me that many of the DBAs who attend TechEd are novice DBAs rather than seasoned DBAs. This is an interesting revelation to me, as I had not really thought this would be the case. I am learning all kinds new things at my first TechEd.
More later,
Maxx
10:45 AM Orlando, FL
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
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Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 7:01 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. Lunch has just been served, but no live band today. As I mentioned earlier, activity is much quieter today at TechEd. At least today, I got to eat lunch. On Monday, I was a little late, and virtually all the food was gone when I got there.
As I was helping out attendees today, answering SQL Server questions, I was a little surprised how basic some of the questions were. In other words, they were questions from novice DBAs. There is nothing wrong with this, and if fact, it is DBAs like this, who ask questions, that learn more and eventually become great DBAs. For some reason, I expected to get really hard questions. In any event, here are some of the questions I got, with my responses.
One DBA asked if there was any easy way to verify the configuration options between different servers, such as a development and a test server. Unfortunately, SQL Server doesn’t offer this option, but it sounds like it would be a great tool for DBAs. What do you think? Do you ever have a need to compare one or more SQL Servers to one another and see how they differ? I know I have. Add your comments/suggestions to this post.
Another DBA asked if there was a reason that a distribution database (part of transactional replication) would become very large (18GB) and never shrink. Both the huge size of the database, and the fact that is was not shrinking, were both serious issues. While it was hard to diagnose such a problem without seeing the server, the most common reason you see similar problems is because the distributor is holding data to send to a subscriber, and for whatever reason, can’t send the data, and is retaining it until it can send the data to the subscriber. But what really interested me about this question was that the DBA did not notice the problem until it became a large problem. In other words, the DBA never monitored the size of the distribution database, and it was only when space was running out on the disk that the problem was discovered. This is an example where performing routine “health checks” of your server can help catch problems before they become big problems. Maybe there needs to be a third-party tool to do this also. What do you think?
One DBA asked me about the best way to replicate databases over geographic large distances. This is not an easy question to answer in a short time, as there are so many variables that can affect the architecture. I suggested that the DBA experiment with SQL Server 2005 database mirroring. While I don’t know if this is the best solution to his problem, but at least he can get experience with Database Mirroring at virtually no cost. Once he has this experience, then he will be in a better position to make a good decision for his particular circumstances.
Another DBA asked about a slow application he had inherited from a previous DBA. Actually, he was more of a VB developer than a DBA, and had never worked with T-SQL before. He had a sample of the code, and within seconds, I saw a major problem. The application was using T-SQL functions to SELECT, INSERT, and UPDATE data, all in the same function. And this was done over and over again. Apparently, the original writer of this code had no concept of set-based coding. While I couldn’t solve his problem directly, as this would require a complete code rewrite, at least I pointed out one major problem with the code, and I recommended that he get a good introductory book on T-SQL so he could learn how to rewrite the application correctly.
While today was slow, the TechEd parties begin tonight. I am not sure if this is good or bad. If the parties are too successful, then a lot of attendees will really be dragging tomorrow morning, and by Friday, who knows how much they will be able to absorb?
For me, I am skipping the parties. I want to stay awake so I can learn as much as I can. At least that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
More later,
Maxx
1:30 AM Orlando, FL
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
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Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:28 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. Today is day two of TechEd. When compared to yesterday, it seems much slower paced. I don’t know if too many people partied last night, or if the initial excitement is already over. Or, maybe it is because most of the swag was given away already and there little more to collect. For example, the TechEd Database Development and Administration desk gave out 2,500 free tee-shirts in just a couple of hours on Monday. On the other hand, perhaps everyone was attending sessions.
This morning, I sat in the first of four heats of Speaker Idol. This is a new event to TechEd in the United States, where speakers who have never spoken at TechEd get a chance to win a guaranteed speaking spot at TechEd 2008. Each heat involved three pre-selected speakers, and one wild-card speaker from the audience. At the end of each five minute presentation, four judges provide feedback to the speakers, and then vote for a winner of the heat. Each of the winners of the four heats will perform a final time on Thursday to determine the top speaker.
Unlike American Idol, the Speaker Idol judges provided valuable feedback, and many good comments to the speakers. This is a good experience for the participants and audience alike. The only downside I saw in the judging was that it seemed that the judges and contestants weren’t given the same rules, so some of the judge’s comments were not applicable. Otherwise, it was a great opportunity for people to practice public speaking.
Also, today, I saw Brian Knight (SQL Server MVP and author), Fernando Guerrero (SQL Server MVP and author), Kalen Delany (SQL Server MVP and author) and Joe Young (SQL Server MVP). Unfortunately, most of the “Ask the Expert” tables have not been very busy this morning. There is a goldmine of SQL Server knowledge available, and it is barely being tapped.
More later,
Maxx
11:50 AM Orlando, FL
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
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Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 6:14 PM |
Maxx Dopp here. Wow, today has been exhausting, and it is still only Monday, with four more days to go. TechEd is an overwhelming experience, with almost more than the senses can easily process.
This afternoon, I roamed the vendor booths, talking with lots of people. What really amazes me is the amount of swag participants collect. Some people had two full bags of swag and couldn’t carry more if they wanted to. I saw swarms of traveling bands of attendees who hit one booth after another, getting everything they could from vendors.
Personally, this seems a little odd to me. When I attend a conference, I want to bring away information, not stuff that will end up being thrown away in the near future. But the good news is that there is lots of information available for those who ask questions.
Besides the breakout sessions, chalk talks (mini sessions), learning stations, and “Ask the Expert” tables, you could find answers to virtually questions you have about Microsoft products.
Tonight, there is a vendor reception, with free food and drinks, and I am sure, more hords of swag collectors.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I’ll keep you posted of anything new and interesting.
More later.
Maxx
5:00 PM Orlando, FL
Monday, June 4, 2007
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Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 10:03 AM |
Maxx Dopp here.
TechEd is in full swing now. Thousands of attendees have passed by, getting free stuff, asking questions, attending sessions, and much more. Lunch is just starting and there is a live band playing in the background.
The initial long lines for free stuff are much shorter now, but more people are stopping by, asking lots of good questions about SQL Server. Some are easy to answer, while others are almost impossible to answer without physically seeing their system.
One of the major benefits of attending TechEd is the opportunity to ask experts your questions.
These experts are not only from Microsoft, but are volunteers, most Microsoft SQL Server MVPs. In addition, there is a lot of opportunity to ask vendors questions about their products.
I have been hanging out with a lot of DBA celebrities, chatting with some, and just seeing others from a distance, I have seen Ron Talmage (MVP/Solid Quality Learning), Itzik Ben-gan (MVP/Solid Quality Learning), Satya Jayanty (MVP and SQL-Server-Performance.Com moderator), Kevin Kline (MVP and PASS President), Brad McGehee (MVP and Director of DBA Education from Red Gate Software, Steve Jones (Editor, SQLServerCentral.com), Sharon Dooley (SQL Server author and trainer) and many others.
If it weren’t for my inferiority complex, I would bend the ears of all these SQL Server experts. Maybe just being near then is enough for some of their smarts to rub off on me. I’m really not sure how I was allowed into this inner circle of Power DBAs, but I lucked out, and I hope to meet more. Maybe I’ll start collecting autographs. One of these DBAs could end up really famous, and then I could sell their autographs and retire early.
I’m headed for lunch.
More later.
Maxx
4 June, 12:00 PM Orlando, FL
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Posted Tuesday, June 05, 2007 9:13 AM |
Maxx Dopp here.
TechEd 2007 began this morning in Orlando, Fl. The sun was shining and the weather perfect. But like most good geeks, instead of hanging around the pool or the parks, over 12,000 of us gathered in the dark caverns of the Orlando Convention Center.
This is my first TechEd, can you believe it? I guess I am not a big a geek as I thought I was if this is my first trek to the conventions of all conventions in the Microsoft world. This should be exciting.
Of course, I am only a DBA geek, so I can’t always follow along with all the non-DBA geeks hording around. But during my five days here at TechEd, I’ll try to give you a little insight from the perspective of a DBA who is a TechEd newbie.
At the 8:30AM keynote, we were surprised by a visit from Christopher Lloyd, the actor who played Dr. Emmett L. Brown, the nutty profession who created the DeLorean time machine.
And to top that off, an actual DeLorean time machine was on stage. After this opening, then the typical TechEd keynote was presented, and quickly forgotten by most everyone who attended.
After the keynote, the first session began, and the hordes of geeks started hitting all of the booths for free stuff. Even as I write this, there is a long line behind me, waiting for free SQL Server 2005 hats, shirts, and other goodies.
Oh, there is one little announcement from TechEd of some interest to DBAs. SQL Server 2008 (Katmai) has been announced, and the first public CTP is being distributed. If you can’t be at TechEd, you can download the CTP from Microsoft’s website.
More later.
Maxx
4 June, 10:20 AM Orlando, FL
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