As mentioned previously, as of 20110828 at least, I am still working on my 70-432 exam. Yup, Lots or reading and testing. But, I am trying something a little different to break up the study sessions a little. After an hour or reading and test taking I visit SQLServerCentral and answer several of their Question of the Day (QotD) entries. What is very helpful is that you can even target the category of the questions you want to study. For example, if you are struggling with the security aspects of the exam then just research and answer the security questions. Pick whatever category you want. Maybe the question being asked doesn’t apply to the exam, but certainly your research as you prep to answer will help you on the test. You can never have too much knowledge! Well, okay maybe you can but I don’t believe that is likely to happen this time.
So if you are looking for a break, but still want to keep learning about SQL Server check out the QotD, and of course the previous questions as well. You may be surprised how much you already know, and maybe even learn something more while you are researching the Question of the Day.
Enjoy the Journey!
As some of you know, I had to take several months away from blogging due to time commitments dealing with work and a slew of other issues. I am very pleased to have time once again to do my own writing but also to search out what I have been missing in other folk’s blogs and websites.
One of my most exciting discoveries is the Stairways series of articles sponsored by SQL Server Central and Kalen Delaney. For this series Kalen has contacted some of the best of the best to write a series of in-depth articles that addresses one of the basic challenges that each of us as DBAs face every day. That being how can we possibly balance the demands of daily work with the need to enhance our professional technical skills and understanding of the ever expanding capabilities of SQL Server?
Sounds like a tall order doesn’t it? Well, from what I have seen so far, the Stairways set of articles lives up to its goal. So far there are 13 Stairway series of articles including SSIS, MDX, PowerPivot and DAX, Server-side Tracing, Service Broker, StreamInsight, etc. What equally excites me is that there seems to be no end in sight for this series. SQLServerCentral has posted a request for readers to post ideas for future Stairways articles. Check out this series of articles, I bet you will be glad you did. After reading just one of the available Stairways articles I bet you will be hooked. Start thinking of an idea for the next Stairways series. I intend to contribute my thoughts very soon. Hey, maybe one of my suggestions will make it onto the pages of SQLServerCentral. Wouldn’t it exciting if one of your ideas did as well! That can only happen if you send in your thoughts. “Lets Get er done!” Yes, that was blatant thievery from Larry the Cable Guy. Thank you SQLServerCentral!
Enjoy the Journey!
For the past six years I have been the Senior DBA and Manager of Development, not both at the same time of course, for a company which hosts a multi terabyte Data Warehouse for a United States federal agency. While this data is not secret, hence I can at least refer to its existence, it does need to be protected from unauthorized access.
I have suggested to my boss, on multiple occasions, that the best way to protect the data would be to unplug the servers, encase the servers in concrete, bury them hundreds of feet underground then build a nuclear spent rod storage facility on top of that very spot. Nobody is getting access to that data without paying a pretty steep price. (Of course, I am not really sure what affect that much radiation would have upon the storage media. Better than a magnet?)
What would be the result if we did implement my idea? Is the data secure? Probably. Is it available for use? Not very likely! If data isn’t available for use what is its value? Nada, nunca, zipoola. If we have data but cannot use it, then there is no benefit to having the data. It is like having a Rembrandt painting and storing it in a room with only walls but no doors and you are on the outside wishing you could look inside.
The other extreme, that of making data too available also has its downside. If everybody has the same data what is its value? Nada, nunca, zipoola. If we have the same data as everybody else then there is no benefit in having the data. It is like everybody having the same Rembrandt painting. It would be viewed as commonplace, unnoticed, probably used to hide the hole in the wall rather than admired for its beauty.
The Great Security Balancing Act requires us to make the data available to authorized users and protect it from everyone else. It is like having a Rembrandt painting and showing it only to your closest friends. Yes, armed guards, lasers, protective trapdoors and vicious chihuahuas would be strategically placed surrounding the masterpiece. But the painting would now have great value, it would be appreciated for what it is! A masterpiece!
Why do we have to implement proper security procedures around our data? To keep it safe? In my opinion, No. That is not the best answer. We protect our data to keep its value. If our data has no value our employers sure don’t need an expensive DBA protecting something that is worthless. So how much is your data worth?
Here is the flexible, meaning that this is likely to change, plan I am going to use to study for the 70-432.
First, this is a modification, or enhancement, of the learning plan offered by Microsoft at this link.
Step 1:Features and Tools overview listed here.
Step 2:What’s new in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 listed here.
I am using Buck Woody’s links and Microsoft’s Self-Paced material as one unit. I use Buck’s info to supplement what is offered in the Self-Paced manual.
Step 3A: Buck Woody’s “Exam 70-432 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance” study links
Step 3B: Microsoft MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-432)
Step 4: Collection 6369 located here
- Course 10151
- Course 10152
- Course 10153
- Course 10154
- Course 10155
- Course 10156
- Course 10157
- Course 10158
Step 5: T-SQL Fundamentals and T-SQL Programming ITZIK Ben-Gan
Step 6 The REAL MCTS SQL Server 2008 Exam 70-432 Prep Kit Mark Horninger
Step 7: Books online
Step 8:TechNet Broadcast 24 Hours of SQL Server 2008
Step 9: Schedule the exam
Step 10: Review Preparation Guide for omissions.
Step 11: Use Prep Logic and Transcender Sample Exams to prep for test.
Step 12: Use Prep Logic video training for two weeks prior to exam to get everything into memory.
Step 13: Take and Pass the 70-432 Exam
I began studying for the 70-432 exam several months ago and was sidetracked from that effort by other more time sensitive and equally critical work tasks. Now I believe I can return to prepping for the 70-432.
Here are the items I have chosen to help prepare for the task. I haven’t quite figured out the order I am going to follow in studying the one foot pile of stuff, but just having them sitting on my desk makes me feel that I am already smarter.
I will determine the sequence of study for the materials tomorrow evening. We are celebrating my wife’s birthday tomorrow, her birthday is actually today, but the family is gathering tomorrow. Soooo, I really can’t get back to this until after the last plate is washed and everyone has gone home for the night.
Had a great time with my entire family today. Two of my daughters are leaving for College this week and one other is already gone for Law School. In order to have one last get together before everyone was gone we, meaning my wife and I, decided to merge our birthday celebrations to the same day. You see, my birthday is August 13th and my wife’s birthday is August 20th. We decided that on August 21st, the only day everyone was available, we would take the day and celebrate with our daughters. We gathered the three daughters who are still at home and traveled to my oldest daughter’s residence to pickup her up so we could all have a breakfast together and then take a trip into Cleveland to spend the day at the Metro Park Zoo.
I couldn’t have asked for a better breakfast. We stopped off at a local breakfast buffet and spent about 90 minutes just sitting there talking and laughing with each other. Yes we did have breakfast, but the best part of the meal was the fellowship. It is very rare for all six of us to be at the same place at the same time, but it is even more rare for each of us to be in a good mood when we are at the same place at the same time. Remember, I mentioned I have four daughters. Mood swings can be quite violent. Okay, sometimes I suffer from the same emotional challenge. This morning though it seemed like we were happy just to see and be with each other.
As I said previously, after breakfast we went to the Cleveland Metro Park Zoo. What a jewel for Cleveland. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful setting. As we travelled along the zoo paths we talked and laughed and created memories for me that will last the rest of my life. As we walked along I was more than a little jealous of the parents with little children. They were pushing their strollers and holding their child’s hand, just embarking on their journey, while I am in the process of seeing my children become more independent of me every day. That is as it should be. With my oldest now a 2L, meaning second year, in Law School, one other daughter a Senior in College, one more a Freshman in College, and the youngest not far away from college, these days of all of us together are going to become fewer and more difficult to arrange.
Today though, when I saw their smiles, sparkling eyes, and the love they have for each other, which they can sometimes hide so well, I knew that this was a golden day. The kind of day where you just have to sit back and watch as it unfolds in great splendor.
To the ladies in my life Thank You for sharing and making this day a very special and long held memory.