Designing a Data Solution with Microsoft® SQL Server®

Use the MAP Toolkit to assess an existing enterprise data environment.

When an enterprise infrastructure includes multiple database servers, it can be useful to standardize and enforce configuration settings in order to ensure compliance and manageability. This module discusses Policy-Based Management in SQL Server, and describes how it can be used together with enterprise configuration management tools such as Microsoft System Center to aid enterprise database server management.

Policy-Based Management

Microsoft System Center

Planning a Policy-Based Management Strategy

Implementing Policy-Based Management

Testing Policy Compliance

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Implement Policy-Based Management

Describe how System Center can be used to manage database infrastructure

This module provides an overview of the benefits of consolidating database workloads by using SQL Server 2014, and describes the different options for implementing a consolidation strategy. It also describes how you can manage a consolidated infrastructure in various scenarios.

Considerations for Database Server Consolidation

Managing Resources in a Consolidated Database Infrastructure

Preparing for Database Consolidation

Managing Resources for an Instance of SQL Server

Managing Resources for Multiple Instances on a Windows Server

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the considerations for consolidating databases and database servers.

Explain the options for managing resources in various consolidation scenarios.

Cloud computing has risen to prominence very rapidly within the world of IT, and many organizations have implemented or are planning to implement cloud-based solutions that encompass all or part of their infrastructure. This module describes some of the fundamental concepts of cloud computing and outlines how to include SQL Server 2014 in a private cloud infrastructure.

Overview of Cloud Computing

SQL Server in a Private Cloud

Creating a prepared Instance

Completing a prepared Instance

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Explain the fundamental concepts behind cloud computing, and describe the technologies that underpin Microsoft cloud solutions.

Describe how to provide SQL Server based data services in a private cloud infrastructure.

Cloud computing has risen to prominence very rapidly within the world of IT, and many organizations have implemented or are planning to implement cloud-based solutions that encompass all or part of their infrastructure. This module describes some of the fundamental concepts of cloud computing and outlines some of the important technologies, such as Microsoft Azure services, that organizations can use to build a cloud-based platform for SQL Server 2014.

Microsoft Azure Overview

Microsoft Azure Storage

Creating a Microsoft Azure Storage Account

Backing Up a Database to Microsoft Azure

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe Microsoft Azure and the services it provides.

Use Microsoft Azure storage for SQL Server database files and backups.

Microsoft’s cloud platform includes Microsoft Azure SQL Database, which you can use to use SQL Server to host your databases without having to take on the responsibility of managing SQL Server itself, or the operating system that supports it. This module describes Microsoft Azure SQL Database, including how to provision it, how to implement security, how to manage databases and how to migrate databases to Microsoft Azure SQL Database.

Introduction to Microsoft Azure SQL Database

Microsoft Azure SQL Database Security

Implementing and Managing Databases

Provisioning Microsoft Azure SQL Database

Configuring Microsoft Azure SQL Database Security

Migrating a Database to Microsoft Azure SQL Database

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the key features of Microsoft Azure SQL Database.

Explain how to implement security for Microsoft Azure SQL Database.

Implement and manage a database in Microsoft Azure SQL Database.

Using virtual machines in Microsoft Azure to host SQL Server instances and databases enables you to take advantage of the benefits of the cloud whilst retaining greater control over the infrastructure than you can when using Microsoft Azure SQL Database. This module explains the benefits and considerations for using virtual machines in Microsoft Azure. It also describes how to create and configure virtual machines in Microsoft Azure, and how to work with SQL Server databases in virtual machines in Microsoft Azure.

Introduction to Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines

Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine Connectivity and Security

Creating Databases in a Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine

Creating a Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine

Configuring Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines Security and Connectivity

Creating Databases on a Virtual Machine

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the benefits of Microsoft Azure virtual machines and create a Microsoft Azure virtual machine.

Describe and configure Microsoft Azure virtual machine security and connectivity.

Create a SQL Server database in a Microsoft Azure virtual machine.

Maintaining highly available database services is vital in a 24 hour operating environment. SQL Server 2014 includes many features that can help organizations to deliver the levels of service they require to drive their businesses. This module explains the different ways that you can implement high availability by using SQL Server 2014. It also describes how to use log shipping to promote resilience for individual user databases.

High Availability Concepts and Options in SQL Server 2014

Log Shipping

Configure Log Shipping

Test the Log Shipping Configuration

Test Failover

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the core concepts and options for implementing high availability in SQL Server 2014.

Describe how to implement high availability for individual databases by using log shipping.

SQL Server 2014 is closely integrated with the Windows Server Failover Clustering feature in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, enabling you to create enterprise-class clustering solutions that can deliver comprehensive high availability and disaster recovery solutions. This module explains how Windows Server Failover Clustering and SQL Server AlwaysOn Failover Cluster Instances work, and describes how to implement clustering to protect service availability.

Introduction to Windows Server Failover Clustering

SQL Server AlwaysOn Failover Cluster Instances

Inspect the Windows Server Failover Cluster Configuration

Install an AlwaysOn Failover Cluster Instance

Configure tempdb to Use Local Storage

Test Automatic Failover and Failback

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the key benefits and features of Windows Server Failover Clustering.

Describe how to use SQL Server AlwaysOn Failover Cluster Instances to maintain high availability for SQL Server instances.

SQL Server 2014 includes AlwaysOn Availability Groups to provide high availability for groups of databases. This module describes AlwaysOn Availability Groups in SQL Server 2014, explains the key concepts of AlwaysOn Availability Groups, and describes how you can use them to maintain highly available databases.

Introduction to AlwaysOn Availability Groups

Working with AlwaysOn Availability Groups

Considerations for Using AlwaysOn Availability Groups

Implementing an AlwaysOn Availability Group

Connecting to an AlwaysOn Availability Group

Testing Failover

Configure Quorum Voting

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe the fundamental concepts and terminology for AlwaysOn Availability Groups.

Explain how work with AlwaysOn Availability Groups.

This module describes the planning considerations for high availability and disaster recovery, and provides common implementation scenarios for on-premises, hybrid, and Microsoft Azure environments.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery with SQL Server 2014

High Availability and Disaster Recovery for Databases in Microsoft Azure

Planning High Availability and Disaster Recovery Solutions with SQL Server 2014

Planning High Availability and Disaster Recovery Solutions by Using Microsoft Azure

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Explain the considerations for implementing high availability and disaster recovery by using SQL Server 2014, and describe some common scenarios.

Explain the considerations for implementing high availability and disaster recovery by using SQL Server 2014 and Microsoft Azure services, and describe some common scenarios.

SQL Server replication enables you to copy and distribute data and database objects to other computers and locations in your enterprise, which can improve availability and scalability. This module provides an overview of SQL Server replication and explains the agents used to implement replication. It also describes some common replication scenarios, how to design an appropriate replication system for your requirements, and how to monitor and troubleshoot replication.

SQL Server Replication

Planning Replication

Planning Replication

Implementing Replication

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Describe SQL Server replication.

Identify an appropriate replication solution for a particular scenario.