SQL Server Data Storage Formats: Internals, Performance and Best Practices
Kalen Delaney
3rd November 2008
This seminar will describe all the different formats available for storing data, including the new filestream data, compressed data and sparse data columns in SQL Server 2008. We'll look at the metadata to determine exactly what is being stored and where, and discuss best practices for choosing the particular type of storage format.
Only after an in-depth plan is developed should you move on to actual implementation. So what are the areas that you need to consider?
Goals
- Learn to use the tools for examining storage
- Compare the various storage formats available in SQL Server 2005
- Understand the functionality of the new SQL Server 2008 storage options
- Explore the costs and benefits of each type of format
Prerequisites
A thorough understanding of basic storage concepts, including files, extents and pages. Basic understanding of special formats in SQL 2005 including LOB and row-overflow. Basic familiarity with TSQL, including 3-table join operations and grouping. And just to be clear, this is not a high-level class on planning. This is an intense, in-depth class encompassing structures, internals, technologies and solutions. Planning is a critical part of performance, high-availability, database maintenance and disaster recovery - but the most-often disregarded.
Course Length & Type
One day instructor led seminar.
Location
3rd November 2008 Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden
Conveniently located only 4 miles from the M1 and close to Harpenden railway station with good links to London. Rothamsted Manor is part of the larger Rothamsted Research facility, but retains a secluded and tranquil feel ideal for learning.
Events are held in The Great Drawing Room at the manor house itself. For full directions see Rothamsted Manor's How to Find Us guide.
The Great Drawing Room Rothamsted Manor & Conference Centre
Rothamsted Research
Harpenden
AL5 2JQ
Kalen Delaney
Kalen Delaney has worked with SQL Server for over 20 years, starting with employment with the Sybase Corporation in 1987. She worked at Sybase in technical support and training until 1992, when she became an independent trainer and consultant. Kalen now offers the most advanced SQL Server Internals training in the world, and you can read about her and her course on her website http://www.insidesqlserver.com/.
In addition to teaching and consulting, Kalen has been writing for SQL Server Magazine since its first issue, and has written or contributed to several advanced SQL Server books. Inside SQL Server 2005: The Storage Engine was published in October 2006, and her latest book Inside SQL Server 2005: Query Tuning and Optimization was published in September 2007. She is currently working on her next book, covering the internals of SQL Server 2008.