Category: Uncategorized

You can only have one mirror of a SQL Server database in SQL Server 2005/2008. I researched that last year when someone asked the question. It didn’t make sense to me why you couldn’t have more than one, and I struggled to find documentation, but finally Paul Randal pointed me to a reference.

And recently in his myth a day series, he posted this as a note in there as well. His recommendation, which is one that I’ve used as well, is include log shipping as a secondary way of moving data, and introduce a delay.

Since mirroring sends transactions from the log to be replayed on another machine, why couldn’t you have two or more mirrors? I don’t think there’s a theoretical reason, though if you were in high safety mode, you might cause delays on your principle with the two phase commit.

However for now, each database can have at most one mirror. I wonder if that will change (I hope so) in SQL 11.

The RTM date is out for SQL Server 2008 R2. At the UK Tech Days it was released as May 21 of this year, so my guess it’s pretty much done and there’s a little fit and finish work to be completed.

I’m surprised that they can announce that date now. Wouldn’t it be done when it’s done? I’d think that you wouldn’t know what was done, what bugs were in, and when it’s completed until a week or so before. Aren’t final checks and tests needed? If something’s found, then wouldn’t, or shouldn’t that delay things?

I’m not sure why we make a big deal of getting this done. If it RTM’d today, we could still have launch events over the next few months. It isn’t like anyone is really going to stand in line at a store to buy it and deploy it today.

RTM it when it’s done, throw a party for the development/test groups, and then let us get it when we can. We’ll appreciate that more.

One of my 2010 goals is to really increase my SSRS knowledge. I’ve used SSRS in a cursory manner over the years, but never really delved into building complex reports and trying new things. So I decided to fix that and work my way through some articles and books on the product.

A new VM, setup just for this, lives. It’s in place and ready for me to begin building reports and growing knowledge.

Now I just need a good db with some interesting stats 😉

There have been quite a few more SQL Saturday announcements this week for new cities. I enjoy attending these events, and look forward to going when I can. I have plans to go to Baton Rouge (#28) in August and Pensacola (#22) in June, after having wonderful times in those cities last year.

It’s been a rough year for traveling, and while my wife is usually home on the weekends, she’s been gone quite a bit during the weeks. So I’m not thrilled about traveling too much more. Phoenix (#47) is tempting, though July means no skiing around there :). I like the city, and it’s a short flight. I could likely even get back late Sat night or early Sun morning in time for my Sun baseball games. I don’t have a baseball time yet, so I’m hesitant to book that one.

I would like to support Louisville (#45) as well. I cancelled last year when some other things came up, and I’d like to go back. My sister-in-law lives there, so that would be a good chance to catch up with her and her fiancé for the weekend. That one is tempting, though I don’t want to get into a heavy travel fall. I’ll likely have Connections and PASS in November, and I semi-committed to get back to Orlando for their SQL Saturday event. I’d have to choose between Louisville and Raleigh (#46), however as I won’t travel two weekends in a row.

Then there are the user groups. I haven’t made any meetings this year, mainly because of heavy travel in the family. I have been trying to schedule a meeting for the Utah groups, and Jason Brimhall extended a Las Vegas invitation as well. Those are quick trips, but I just haven’t made the commitment yet. Utah will have to wait until next ski season, but Las Vegas may be in the cards if the travel schedule eases up in the next couple of months.

I do like to support the community, and Red Gate does a great job of supporting me, and Brad McGehee, as we speak at various functions. Hopefully I’ll get to a few more events this year, and maybe try out a few new cities, like Dallas, NYC, and Portland in 2011 as I’m sure they’ll schedule new SQL Saturdays.