Reviews for SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action

1. Great stuff

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, September 12th, 2009

   I've been working with SQL Server for many years now, initially as a DBA for a major high-street bank, and for the last twelve years or so as a Microsoft Certified Trainer, delivering courses in all aspects of the product from SQL 7 to SQL 2008. In all those years I've seen many books about SQL, and I'm delighted to say that this is one of the very best.
   
   Written in a light, easy style, "SQL Server 2008 Administration in Action" is a surprisingly thorough guide to the product, focusing purely on administration (so don't expect information on querying, development, Reporting Services, Analysis Services, Integration Services...) It features one of the best chapters on planning your installation I've seen, covering such issues as RAID, disk subsystems, file placement, optimization etc. and some of the detail here is just superb. After this you'll find excellent coverage on the "usual" areas of SQL administration, such as security, backup & restore, fault tolerance, monitoring etc. There is also impressive coverage of some of the new features for DBAs in SQL 2008, such as the Resource Governor, policy-based management, and the Data Collector. Almost everything has a step-by-step procedure guide alongside thorough explanations of the systems concerned, including pros and cons, whys and wherefores etc.
   
   Don't be put off by the slightly naff-looking cover - this is a really excellent book, and a valuable purchase and read for any SQL Server 2008 DBA.
   
   Peter Lee
   MCT, MCITP Database Administrator, MCITP Database Developer, MCDBA