Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • Unstructured Data in SQL Server

    Abstract:

    More and more of our data does not fit neatly into a structured, relational model of rows and columns of data. In this session, you will learn about how SQL Server stores unstructured data, with a special emphasis on how to use Filestream, which integrates SQL Server with the NTFS file system by storing varbinary(max) binary large object data as files stored within the file system. You will also learn about the new SQL Server 2012 filetable feature, which builds on Filestream and provides the ability to read, write, and update Filestream objects directly through the file system. This session is designed for DBAs and developers who need to learn how to manage large quantities of unstructured data.

    This covers SQL Server 2008, R2, and 2012. The basic Agenda:

    • What is unstructured data
    • Filestream
    • FileTable

    There are demos that look at how Filestream works and how FileTable can be used in SQL Server 2012.

    Level: 200

    Length: 60 Minutes

    Demo code: UnstructuredData.zip

    Slides: UnstructuredData.ppt

    Related Posts:

    Presentations:

    You can view my speaking schedule here: http://wp.me/P14wgJ-1tV

  • Vendor Selection

    salesman
    If only salesman were this cute and cuddly.

    Today’s editorial was originally published on Apr 29, 2007. It is being re-run as Steve is at SQL Server Connections.

    How you you pick a vendor for a product?

    Here’s how I’ve seen it work at some companies. A contract is coming up for renewal or a new need arises and some IT guys are asked to make a recommendation. So being good professionals, you do some research, download some evals, run some tests, and then try to pick the product that works best for you. “Best” is hard to define since the product needs to do a good job, meaning meet the goals set for it, but also be something you want to administer. You write this up and send it to your boss.

    Then about half the time, the product you hated gets selected. Even if you gave it a bad review or thought it couldn’t do the job. So why is that?

    My guess is that often someone played golf with someone else, or takes them to dinner or other entertainment and the decision maker makes the decision that’s best for them personally, not necessarily the company. I hate to be so cynical, but I see it happen over and over.

    I could be wrong and maybe one of these strategies is in place. Maybe someone is making a more strategic long term decision that it appears to be from the perspective of the IT worker. I’d like to think so, but I see so many other decisions made for the short term and not necessarily for the benefit of the company.

    Choosing vendors to be partners is hard, especially since they vendors are trying to sell software and make their numbers, not necessarily be a great partner for your business. And it can get worse if you are not a large customer. I have friends in the sales side of software and they readily admit that the smaller customers suffer since they just don’t produce enough revenue over time to receive the custom support they’ve often been promised during the sales cycle.

    I’m very much a believer in buy software and then maintain it yourself. And I think you can do this with Microsoft and an ERP package like SAP as well as you can with an Open Source package.

  • Off to Vegas for DevConnections

    A few last minute prep items for DevConnections and I leave in a few hours for Las Vegas. My first trip since last November, and it’s been a welcome break from being on the road. I suspect that won’t last and I’ll be traveling to more spots in the future, but for now I only have a few things planned.

    SQL Server Connections is a great conference, in a fun city, and I look forward to attending. Not as much social activity as the PASS Summit, but a more intimate feel, and a diverse audience, with the chance to see talks on Windows, Exchange, development topics, Sharepoint, and more.

    I’m doing three talks this time:

    Unstructured Data in SQL Server – a look at Filestream and Filetable

    Contained Databases in SQL Server 2012 – as the name says, a look at partial containment.

    An Encryption Primer – a basic look at encryption options and techniques in SQL Server.

    If you’re at the show, please stop by and say hi, either around one of my sessions, or anytime you see me walking around in the cowboy hat.

    If you’re a runner, we’ll likely be running each morning (Tue, Wed, and Thur) around the MGM at 6:45 or so. We should be in the lobby, and if you’re interested in joining us, feel free.

  • Google Research

    Interesting to see someone talking about all the research Google is spending money on, which aren’t directly related to their core business. The piece is a bit of a complaint, and it’s a valid one for shareholders.

    Personally I like what Google is doing. They’re experimenting, they’re trying to see if there are things that might work. Things that might impact their business. Or perhaps, give them a new business to get into.

    I hate that Google is getting so concerned about money in many ways. To me, that’s a sign they are losing their way a bit, focusing more on the money of their business, than the money. I like seeing them doing things other than just making money. To me, once a company gets too caught up in their stock price, and what it is doing, they start to go downhill.

    However they can go too far, and waste too much money. It’s good that people are keeping an eye on them. Reign in things that are wasting too much money, or going on without producing anything, but let them do some research.