Featured Article(s)
Parameters for Analysis Services Reporting: Introduction, Pt. 1
Part I: BI Architect Bill Pearson begins an extended examination of parameterization within Analysis Services reports. In this article, we get hands-on practice creating a parameter within the graphical user interface, and then examine the construction that Reporting Services 2005/ 2008 / 2008 R2 performs behind the scenes.
Featured Script
CheckAllTables – dbcc on all tables
Runs DBCC against all tables in the database. … (read more)
Index Defragmentation – How Often Do You See the Need?
Once again, on the list servers here on SSWUG there is a solid discussion about index defragmentation and an application that sets up maintenance plans.
First, a question – please take just a minute and let me know – how often (on average, yes I realize it is variable) do you find yourself needing to defragment your indexes on your production databases?
>> Please send me a note, let me know how you are approaching it.
>> Email me here and I’ll be sure to share what everyone is doing/seeing.
Second, in a "let’s quickly highlight why it’s important to understand third party applications" segment, the person asking about the index fragmentation originally noted that much of the fragmentation could actually be coming from the the maintenance plans generated by their applications. The maintenance plans automatically shrink the database… which is well known to fragment indexes and more. This isn’t to say you should just rip out the maintenance plan, it is to say that you need to work with your software provider to help them find better ways to approach things.
So, how do you handle index fragmentation? What do you see? What are your experiences? It’s a normal operation (defragmentation) and I’ve seen everything from completely hands-off automation to completely ignoring things…
SelectViews Video Show – Available Now
SelectViews – Information about the Best Practices Analyzer, Approaches to Working with Third-Party Applications and more. Devin Knight has our Guest Segment on the show.
[Watch the Show]