Benchmark IT Consulting » EDMPASS

EDMPASS – August Meeting w/Aaron Nelson

Colin Stasiuk — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:12:17 +0000

On August 25th 2010 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/792195478

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks.

Date: August 25th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room – Basement
Speaker: Aaron Nelson
Topic: Powershell for Database Professionals

Session Abstract:

In this session we will begin exploring the amazing world of the PowerShell language. We will learn to perform several everyday DBA tasks like backing up user databases, scripting table objects and evaluating disk space usage with PowerShell; then we will change these into multi-server scripts by adding only a single line of code. We will also take a look at some data visualization techniques that require only a small amount of code. Only a basic understanding of PowerShell or DOS is needed. This session should serve as a good introduction to PowerShell for database users. The goal is to get data professionals feet wet about PowerShell and ready to practice it when they leave. Yes you will get a copy of the scripts I use.

Presenter Information: Aaron Nelson (@SQLvariant) sqlvariant.com/wordpress/
Aaron Nelson is a Senior SQL Server Architect with over 10 years experience in architecture, business intelligence, development, and performance tuning of SQL Server.
He has experience managing enterprise-wide data needs in both transactional and data warehouse environments. Aaron holds certifications for MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer, Database Administrator, Database Developer; as well as MCTS: Windows Server Virtualization, Configuration (meaning Hyper-V).

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS July Meeting w/Brent Ozar #YEG

Colin Stasiuk — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:09:37 +0000

On July 7th 2010 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/686883487

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks.

Date: July 7th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room – Basement
Speaker: Brent Ozar
Topic: Virtualization and Magicians: Dealing with Virtual SQL Server

Session Abstract:

Virtualization and Magicians: Dealing with Virtual SQL Server

So the sysadmins told you they’ve learned a few tricks, and they’re going to virtualize your database servers. In this session, we’ll talk about our real-world experiences with virtual SQL Servers and how to help the sysadmins avoid implementation mistakes that will saw SQL Server’s performance in half.

How to configure CPU, memory and storage for virtual environments
How to benchmark your servers and make sure they’ll handle your loads
Common pitfalls like antivirus definition downloads that can cripple your servers
What to watch for after V-day

Presenter Information: Brent Ozar

Brent is a SQL Server Domain Expert with Quest Software. Brent has a decade of broad IT experience, performing systems administration and project management before moving into database administration. In his current role, Brent specializes in performance tuning, disaster recovery and automating SQL Server management. Previously, Brent spent 2 years at Southern Wine & Spirits, a Miami-based wine & spirits distributor.

Brent has experience conducting training sessions, has written several technical articles, and blogs prolifically at http://www.BrentOzar.com. He’s currently writing SQL Server Internals and Troubleshooting for Wiley/Wrox along with Christian Bolton, and Justin Langford. He’s Editor-in-Chief at SQLServerPedia.com, where he also records video podcasts.

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS Meeting Tomorrow #YEG

Colin Stasiuk — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:16:10 +0000

Tomorrow the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/623637316

Date: May 26th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room – BASEMENT
Speaker: Colin Stasiuk
Topic: Policy Based Management… not JUST for SQL Server 2008

Session Abstract:

Policy Based Management… not JUST for SQL Server 2008

In this live session we’re going to be getting a quick overview of Policy Based Management for the people who are not familar with it but then the “guts” of the presentation will be showing how to work with Policy Based Management in previous versions of SQL Server (2000 and 2005).

The biggest misconception I’ve heard time and time again is…. “Policy Based Management sounds great but I’m still on SQL 2000 or SQL 2005″. Out of the box Policy Based Management can evaluate previous versions of SQL Server but we’re going to take that knowledge and with the use of PowerShell we’re going to expand on it and create an automated solution of evaluating and tracking not only your SQL 2008 instances but also your SQL 2000 and SQL 2005 instances.

Please be advised that this presentation may go over time as there will be alot of content covered and live demos and Q&A.

Presenter Information: Colin Stasiuk

Colin Stasiuk is an MCP, MCTS SQL 2005/2008, MCITP DBDEV, and MCITP DBA. Currently, he is an independent consultant contracted to Vantix Systems and working for the Government of Alberta.

Colin is an accomplished Microsoft SQL Server DBA who has been working with SQL Server since 1996. He is the founder of Benchmark IT Consulting and is always willing to lend a hand with questions in many SQL Server community forums and via Twitter (http://twitter.com/BenchmarkIT) . His specialties include SQL Server Administration, Performance Tuning, Security, Monitoring, Best Practice / Standards, Upgrades, and Consolidation.

Colin is a proud PASS member, President of EDMPASS, and has recently co-authored a book on SQL Server 2008 Policy Based Management.

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS Meeting – January 27th 2010 #YEG

Colin Stasiuk — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:49:50 +0000

On January 27th 2010 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/503789849

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks.

Date: Jan 27th 2010
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: Centennial Room – Basement Level
Speaker: Buck Woody
Topic: Improvements in SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008R2

Session Abstract:

“Come hear Buck Woody, Microsoft’s “Real World DBA”, explain the improvements in SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008R2 over SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005. He’ll show you what the new features are for developers and DBA’s and a quick overview of the new Business Intelligence features. He’ll show some practical examples of the new Transact-SQL statements, management features, and data types so that you can figure out where it fits in your organization.”
Presenter Information: Buck Woody (http://blogs.msdn.com/buckwoody/)

Buck Woody has been working with Information Technology since 1981. He has worked for the U.S. Air Force, at an IBM reseller as technical support, and for NASA as well as U.S. Space Command as an IT contractor. He has worked in most all IT positions from computer repair technician to system and database administrator, and from network technician to IT Manager and with multiple platforms as a Data Professional. He has been a DBA and Database Developer on Oracle systems running on a VAX to SQL Server and DB2 installations. Buck has a business degree and several industry certifications, including MCSE, MCDBA and Brainbench DBA. He is the author of over 400 SQL Server articles and five published SQL Server books; he is the site personality on InformIT.com’s SQL web, and was the President of the Tampa SQL User’s Group for 5 years. He was awarded the Microsoft MVP Award in 2006 for SQL Server, and started work in the SQL Server Team at Microsoft a year later. He has over twenty years extensive professional and practical experience in computer networks and database design. He also teaches a Database Design course at the University of Washington.

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!

My 2010 Goals and Themeword

Colin Stasiuk — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:13:53 +0000

I’ve seen a few of these types of posts over the last week or so and I figured I should publish something on the intertubes that would be something to look back on come next year at this time. Tom LaRock had a very interesting spin on things (as he always does) and added a ThemeWord into the mix.

Colin’s 2010 Themeword is……… FOCUS

No not that kind of focus….

EDMPASS + Twitter = Hockey Tickets?

Colin Stasiuk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:23:40 +0000

If you were not able to attend the last EDMPASS meeting about the Summit then you missed out on a great round-table discussion. A reoccurring theme in the discussion was around the networking/social aspect being so HUGE as part of the entire Summit experience. Everyone knows that the Summit is THE #1 SQL Server Conference and that the speakers and sessions are amazing but the part of the Summit that surprised me the most was the networking side and Twitter in particular.

So as we like to do from time to time at EDMPASS we’re having ourselves a contest.

If you’re not on Twitter this is what you have to do:

Join Twitter
Add myself @BenchmarkIT (This is how I’ll know you’re entering the contest)
Add 10 or more SQL Server tweeps… here is a list from SQLServerPedia to help get you started or some of the frequent tweeters today are listed below…

@BrentO – A previous EDMPASS presenter
@SQLRockstar- Last months EDMPASS preseter
@BuckWoody
@SQLAgentMan
@Peschkaj
@MrDenny
@SQLChicken
@kensimmons
@Way0utWest
@Wendy_Dance

This list is nothing more then me scrolling through my SQL Group and grabbing the first 10 people I see… so if you’re not on here sorry LOL

So there you go… you’re entered… easy huh? Now I’m not going to force you to start a conversation with any of these people but all I ask is that you give it a chance and if you have something to contribute or ask… do so and see what happens

A tip for you as well… install TweetDeck… it’ll make the experience way more enjoyable.

If you ARE already on Twitter

Add @BenchmarkIT if you don’t already have me on your list
If you already have me on your list DM me asking to be entered
Comment on this blog post and tell us a quick story of a positive experience you had with another SQL tweeter

So what’s the prize?

2 Tickets to an upcoming Edmonton Oilers game – I have a few games to choose from so the winner will be able to pick

Now in order to be eligible for the draw you will have to take part in the Twitter contest and be in attendance for the Dec 16th EDMPASS Meeting with @SQLServerSleuth (hint hint… add him too!!!)

If you’re a BenchmarkITConsulting.com reader (Thanks!!! ) feel free to share YOUR real good feel good SQL Twitter story as well… (sorry no hockey tickets for you lol)

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS Meeting One Week From Today…

Colin Stasiuk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:02 +0000

On November 25th 2009 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/485596432

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks.

Date: Nov 25th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor – Room 7
Speaker: Thomas LaRock and EDMPASS Summit Attendee Panel
Topic: PASS Summit Panel Discussion

Session Abstract:

Whether you have attended or have not attended a PASS Summit before this meeting is for you. EDMPASS is presenting a panel of EDMPASS Summit attendees as well as Thomas LaRock (SQL Server MVP and PASS Board of Directors Member).

Are you wondering what the Summit was like?
Do you have questions about specific sessions or speakers, events, etc?
Do you want details about the Summit in 2010?
Do you want to view an example session?
Do you want a chance to win more crazy awesome SWAG giveaways?

It’s Bring your Boss to EDMPASS Day!

You might already know the value of the PASS Summit but your boss might not and chances are they are the one to approve your training requests. If you AND your boss register and attend this meeting you both will be entered in a draw for…

Q: What if I am my own boss? (Idependent Consultant)

A: Bring a SQL friend to EDMPASS to be entered in the draw

We will all be there to share our experiences, stories and to answer any questions you might have. This is going to be a very casual “round table” style of discussion so we hope everyone can attend and learn more about PASS and the Summit in general.

The Summit (for me) was one of those amazing “lightbulb on” type of weeks for me and I’d love to hear other peoples experiences and to also help get people excited about next years Summit.

Presenter Information: Thomas LaRock (http://ThomasLaRock.com)

Thomas LaRock is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade of technical and management experience. Currently serving as a database administration manager with ING Investment Management, Thomas has progressed through several roles at ING, including programmer, analyst, and DBA. Prior to ING, he worked at several software and consulting companies, working at customer sites in the United States and abroad. Thomas holds a MS degree in Mathematics from Washington State University and is a member of the Usability Professional’s Association. Thomas is also a member of Quest’s Association of SQL Server Experts, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), and is a SQL Server MVP.

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS Meeting Success w/Brent Ozar

Colin Stasiuk — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:43:05 +0000

We had our most successful EDMPASS meeting ever last night. We were lucky enough to get (newly appointed MVP) Brent Ozar via Live Meeting as our feature presenter. The session was titled “Hit the Ground Running with SQL Server 2008″ and it was a great presentation on the Central Management Server, Policy Based Management, and the Resource Governor.

I jokingly refer to Brent Ozar as my “Mr Miyagi of the SQL Server Community”… when I first decided to start blogging and get more involved in the community he was always more then willing to lend a hand and opinion on how best to approach things and his advice has always proven to be invaluable.

I was shocked this morning when I heard that Brent Ozar is NOW an MVP… I always thought he was one as he’s been one of the many great leaders in the community so I guess Microsoft was just a little behind the curve but at least they got it right now

My congratz also go out to my friends Jeremiah Peschka and Tim Ford as well as to all the new MVPs… keep up the good work everyone!

Enjoy!!

“Bring a Friend to EDMPASS Day” – Raffle Contest Announced #YEG

Colin Stasiuk — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:19:55 +0000

Due to the overwhelming response to our upcoming EDMPASS meeting with Brent Ozar EDMPASS is running a special raffle draw contest.

If you’re a current EDMPASS member and you get a “SQL Friend” (developer, DBA, BI, Architect, Server Admin, etc) to register and attend the upcoming meeting both your name and your SQL Friend’s name will be put in for a special raffle prize.

Your “SQL Friend”
1) Must be a NEW EDMPASS attendee and sign up on EDMPASS.com
2) Must work (directly/indirectly) with SQL Server
3) Must Register @ the EventBrite link on EDMPASS.com
4) Must Click on the “Contact the Host” button and identify which EDMPASS member they are friends with.

PRIZE:

A $250 Gift Card from BestBuy AND a Prize Pack from Quest Software

We already are going to be seting an attendance record for EDMPASS with this upcoming meeting… but I want to blow it out of the water.

Happy Friday (again )

Enjoy!!

EDMPASS – September Meeting w/Brent Ozar

Colin Stasiuk — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:00:39 +0000

On September 30th 2009 the Edmonton Chapter of PASS is having it’s next meeting. Details below:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/421182769

Please be sure to not only click the “Add to my calendar” but also the “Register” button so that we can plan accordingly for food and drinks.

Date: Sept 30th 2009
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Stanley A. Milner library
Map: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Meeting Room: 6th Floor – Room 7
Speaker: Brent Ozar
Topic: Hit The Ground Running with SQL Server 2008

Session Abstract: SQL 2008 has a lot of new features to help make database administration easier – but who has the time to learn ‘em all? Brent will get you started fast with the features that give you the most bang for the buck. Attendees will learn how to use these new 2008 features:

Central Management Server
Policy-Based Management
Group Query Execute
Resource Governor

Presenter Information: Brent Ozar

Agenda:
5:00 pm – Pizza and Socializing
5:30 pm – Sponsor Presentation
5:45 pm – Feature Presentation
7:00 pm – Wrap Up and Draws

If you haven’t signed up already at EDMPASS.com please do so now to receive meeting notifications, news, and updates from EDMPASS.

Hope to see you there.

Enjoy!!