Microsoft® SQL Server(TM) 2000 Administrator's Pocket Consultant (It-Administrator's Pocket Consultant) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "As you get started with Microsoft SQL Server 2000, you should concentrate on these areas: How SQL Server 2000 works with your hardware..." (more)
Key Phrases: Enterprise Manager, Server Agent, Performance Monitor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If specialization is for insects, those of us who have only two legs are bound to need reminders when we sit down to perform a specialized task. For those times in which the specialized task at hand involves the latest version of Microsoft's high-end database management system (DBMS), Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Administrator's Pocket Consultant will provide how-to answers on the double-quick. This small, inch-thick volume fits nicely into a briefcase, and opens flat for easy reference. It makes little attempt to explain how SQL Server works, assuming instead that the reader knows what he or she needs. For example, a quick scan of the index for "Logins, Assigning Roles for Multiple" yields a reference to a page that explains exactly what to do, step by step.

Procedures are a large part of the appeal of this book; value tables and Transact-SQL syntax documentation contribute the rest. A typical value table lists all standard database roles, along with commentary on what sort of user is appropriate for each role. Transact-SQL documentation includes generic "all available options" statements of syntax, followed by usage examples. Deeper explanations of what each option does would make the syntax documentation stronger, but what's here is certainly enough to jog readers' memories and point them to heavier reference material, if they need it. Keep this book handy if your job requires you to hop from DBMS to DBMS. --David Wall

Topics covered:

• Installing and configuring Microsoft SQL Server 2000
• Creating databases
• Controlling access to databases
• Manipulating database contents with Transact-SQL
• Backup, recovery, and performance tuning
• Data Transformation Services (DTS)

Product Description

MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2000 ADMINISTRATOR'S POCKET CONSULTANT is the hands-on, immediate reference you need as you deal with the details of Microsoft SQL Server administration in small, medium, and large organizations. Ideal at the desk or on the go from server to server, this fast-answers guide focuses on what you need to do in specific situations as you support and manage Microsoft SQL Server 2000. Topics covered include SQL basics, administration tools, configuring and tuning, managing the enterprise, database administration, security, backup and recovery, importing and exporting data, data replication, monitoring and profiling, creating tables and indexes, automation and maintenance, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 453 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 1 edition (October 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735611297
• ISBN-13: 978-0735611290
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #365,866 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uterly indispensible, the only sql server ref you need, October 14, 2001

By	David Worthington - See all my reviews

As a web/dba I use sql server, IIS and windows 2000 server extensively. Last year when I was just getting started I discovered this little gem and it was what set me on the right path. I found this book to be utterly indispensible. I actually have two copies that one I use at home when I work in my own projects and one I use at work.

Again in this book as with others in the series I have found single chapters that alone were worth the price of the book, and in a book filled with such chapters you cannot go wrong. The chapter I use the most is 2. In this chapter covers configuring and tuning the sql server database. The chapter starts by looking at guidelines you can use to choose server hardware covering memory, CPU, drives, and more then goes into tools, services and more that you can use to optimize the sql server. In addition to covering the graphical interface, the book covers command-line tools extensive and I found this to be invaluable.

Mr. Stanek includes a best practice tip on page 35 that caused a light bulb to go off in my head and helped me resolve a problem with our databases. This tip covers memory usage in various situations and how you can optimize the memory configuration. The chapter goes on and on like this giving out secrets that other admins didn't want to share with someone like me who was just getting started. In short I think the chapter gave me the equivalent of several years worht of in the field knowledge and since I didn't have years to prove myself this was incredibly helpful.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive SQL Server 2000 guide in a small package, November 19, 2000

By	James Werner - See all my reviews

Hats off to author William Stanek for another fine Pocket Consultant. I have 5 of these books in my library now (Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, Exchange 2000, SQL Server 7 and SQL Server 2000.) Since I picked up the first Pockete Consultant a yaer ago I haven't found a daily administration question that wasn't answered. You'll find that SQL Server 2000 Pocket Consultant is more of the same. The attention to detail and the focus on day to day administration tasks is fantastic!

Mr. Stanek always starts with an overview of the subject of discussion and then digs right in. I've found that this book (and the rest in the series) answer 100% of my questions quickly and meanwhile the 1,000 page luggables used by my colleagues just get them frustrasted. I've made quite a few converts in the office.

The nice thing about these books is the day to day focus. You get what you need to accomplish your task spelled out clearly and concisely in a style that I've found that only Mr. Stanek can deliver. It is refreshing. Now I'm not saying the books are pefrect. If you need to learn from scratch this isn't the answer. Look elsewhere. If you need to brush up and extend your skills to new stuff (like going from SQL 6.5 or SQL 7 to SQL 2000), is a good choice. If you need a book to help with day to day, is a good choice. If you need a book to put in your backpack and carry with you, is a good choice.

Last I want to say thank you to Mr. Stanek. Thank you, I'm looking forward to more. --JW

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, August 16, 2004

By	W. Meyers "Wally" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A lot of SQL Server books give you the same information included already in Books Online. SQL Server 2000 Administrator's Pocket Consultant is an excellent complement for Books Online, TechNet and MSDN. It covers similar topics, but it digs in where necessary, provides best practices, tips to the internal operations, explaining how SQL Server actually works, with unique information only available in this book.

I always want to know how things work because it helps me to understand the behaviour of a system. In many cases if you don't know how things work it could drive you to some misunderstandings. Here is where SQL Server Pocket Consultant helps out and Stanek has excellent teaching skills.

The book is very compact and full of information. It's all in the details. Chapter 2 "Configuring and Tuning" is a real gem. It helped so much with server and database tuning. Chapter 5 "SQL Server Security" is excellent on the security details. Chapter 7 provides deep detail of DTS and BCP. The final part of the book is the best, in my opinion. It covers performance, maintenance and optimization.

The book's small size makes it easy to take with you where ever you go and its good enough that you'll want to. Overall excellent guide ot sql server.