SQL Pass Event - less than two weeks away.

Don't forget that the SQL Pass Weekend is just over a week away (December 6-7).  Details of sessions and speakers are here.  If you are interested in learning LOTS more technical and architectural details around implementing, maintaining or even justifying moving to SQL Server 2008, this is the event to be at.  Register at the bottom of this page.

December Unplugged Registration open - Azure and PDC

The December Unplugged registration is now open - if you are interested in hearing about what happened at the recent PDC in LA, you'll want to head along to this. Mike and Mark will be talking about what Azure, Windows 7 and Office 14 will mean to developers.  These are going to be held all around the North Island, so check out the locations and register here.

Thinking about Project Server on SQL Server 2008?

If you're considering deploying Project Server 2007 on SQL Server 2008, you'll want to check out these links.  Firstly, check out the note at the bottom of this article regarding the order of installation. If you're wanting to use SQL 2008 Analysis services on Project Server 2007 Cube Building services, check this out.  There is also some prescriptive guidance for implementing some of the new SQL 2008 features with Sharepoint Server 2007 here.

Auldhouse and Ace are updating their training schedules and were kind enough to let me know what they have scheduled around SQL Server 2008 over the next few months.  Here are the offerings coming up by course with dates (approximate or exact as given).

6158: Updating Your SQL Server 2005 Skills to SQL Server 2008 (3 days)

6157: Whats new in SQL Server 2008 (Hands on lab) (1 day)

If you are looking to get into SQL Server, these provide good options that allow you to ask questions and get your hands on the product. 

For more details, click on the links in the right hand column and you'll go through to the appropriate page with more details and contact details or instructions on how to register.

Next Wednesday (November 19) the Auckland SQL Server User group kicks off again.  It had a false start last year due to some extenuating circumstances, but now it is back in action. 

Dave and Amanda (this Amanda) are working together to build out the SQL Server community in Auckland.

So, be at the SQL Server User group meeting in Auckland next week - 6pm at Microsoft (22 Viaduct Harbour).

You should also consider signing up to the mailing list for the user group. To do this, just send an email to announce@aucklandsql.com to be signed up.

Registration is now open for the SQL PASS community connection weekend in December.  Details are here and some other information is in the previous blog post I did on it.

If you plan on getting along to this event (and I strongly encourage you to if you have anything to do with SQL Server), you'll need to register at the bottom of this page.

See you there!

If you are on SQL Server 2000 and you've been looking at your six CPU setup thinking "I'd hate to pay for the licenses to upgrade that" it may not be as bad as you think.

With SQL Server 2005 we introduced some license changes (note that there are no license changes from 2005 to 2008).  One of the key changes for highly redundant solutions was that where the server has no active users against it because it is a passive server (i.e. used for DR or in a mirror), there is no licensing requirement.

Lets test this with a scenario (assuming CPU based licensing - it works similarly with Server/CAL licensing). Imagine you have a dual CPU server with a mirrored server (again with two CPU's).  On top of this, you have a DR Server, also with two CPU's.  In SQL Server 2000, you would have purchased SQL Server Enterprise Edition for six CPU's.  With SQL Server 2005/2008, you wouldn't pay for the mirrored server (which simply replicates data unless the primary server is failed over to it). 

Why is this the case?  Because the licensing for SQL Server Workgroup, Standard and Enterprise allows you to install the equivalent number of instances as you license as cold or warm servers - meaning servers that are not accessed by users except when they are failed over to.

So what about the DR server?  In the case above, it would need to be licensed.  However, a work around for this would be to set up the mirror as a single CPU machine and the DR server as a single CPU machine and then license SQL Server for both CPU's on the primary server.

When would the passive server need to have a SQL server license?  If a passive server is being used for anything other than simply absorbing data and information held in another system it needs to be licensed.  An example of this would be when users are accessing the passive server for reporting or other sort of user access.

So if you are looking at upgrading to SQL Server 2008 from SQL Server 2000, and you have a highly redundant configuration - your licensing costs won't be the same as they were when you purchased SQL Server 2000. 

Don't forget that we're just talking about SQL Server here.  You'll still need to license Windows Server 2008 and any other products on the DR server.

Before you go and put together all your licensing around this concept, you'll want to take the time to read the product use rights - particularly the exceptions for SQL Server. 

Note: I am not responsible for your licensing and can't legally advise you :-).

Just a quick note to remind you that we are running the SQL Server Training forum this week. Full details here.

When you walk away from this session, you should have a solid understanding of the product capabilities and features as well as an understanding of what to consider when architecting, building and deploying SQL Server 2008 solutions.

You won't walk away as an expert in SQL Server - but you'll know what areas to invest more training in.

If you have not registered, make sure you do so.  If you have been waitlisted (Auckland is full), I would still come along on the day as I expect some people simply won't turn up.  If you have registered and can no longer make it, please let me know so that those wait listed can be given the opportunity to register.

See you there starting tomorrow!