Credit value: 2 HN credits at SCQF level 8: (16 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8)

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1 Higher National Unit Specification General information for centres Unit code: DG0F 35 Purpose: This Unit is designed to introduce candidates to the issues involved in managing, monitoring and troubleshooting a database server. It is intended for candidates undertaking an HNC/D in Computing, Computer Networking or a related area who require a detailed knowledge of database servers. On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to: 1. Install and configure a database server. 2. Create databases on a server. 3. Manage, monitor and troubleshoot databases. 4. Extract and transform data. 5. Manage and monitor database server security. 6. Manage, monitor and troubleshoot a database server. Credit value: 2 HN credits at SCQF level 8: (16 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8) *SCQF credit points are used to allocate credit to qualifications in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Each qualification in the Framework is allocated a number of SCQF credit points at an SCQF level. There are 12 SCQF levels, ranging from Access 1 to Doctorates. Recommended prior knowledge and skills: Access to this Unit will be at the discretion of the Centre. There are no specific requirements but candidates would benefit from knowledge of computer networks and server operating systems. This may be demonstrated by the possession of HN Unit DF9P 34 Network Concepts and DF9N 34 Network Server Operating System. Core Skills statement: There may be opportunities to gather evidence towards core skills in this Unit, although there is no automatic certification of core skills or core skills components. Context for delivery: This Unit is included in the framework of a number of HNC and HND group awards. It is recommended that it should be taught and assessed within the context of the particular group award to which it contributes. Assessment: Evidence for the knowledge and/or skills for the entire Unit must be produced using a set of 50 restricted-response questions to assess candidates knowledge and understanding. This may be administered as a single end-of unit test, or as several subtests, each covering one or more outcomes. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 1

2 General information for centres (cont) Candidates must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly in order to obtain a pass. If subtests are used, they must also score at least 70% in each subtest. Testing must take place in a closed-book environment where candidates have no access to books, handouts, notes or other learning material. Testing can be done in either a machine-based or paper-based format and must be invigilated by a tutor or mentor. There must be no communication between candidates and communication with the invigilator must be restricted to matters relating to the administration of the test. If a candidate requires to be reassessed, a different selection of questions must be used. At least half the questions in the reassessment must be different from those used in the original test. If an outcome has a practical component, this must be assessed by having the candidate use a logbook to record the practical tasks successfully completed. The logbook can be in paper or electronic form and must be authenticated by the tutor or mentor. For some outcomes only a sample of the practical tasks needs to be completed and recorded for assessment purposes, e.g. three out of five. This is clearly indicated in the logbook instructions for the outcomes involved. Where this occurs, tutors must inform candidates of the tasks to be completed. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 2

3 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards Unit code: DG0F 35 The sections of the Unit stating the Outcomes, knowledge and/or skills, and evidence requirements are mandatory. Where evidence for Outcomes is assessed on a sample basis, the whole of the content listed in the knowledge and/or skills section must be taught and available for assessment. Candidates should not know in advance the items on which they will be assessed and different items should be sampled on each assessment occasion. Outcome 1 Install and configure a database server Knowledge and/or skills Install a database server. Upgrade a database server. Create a linked server. Configure database mail functions Configure network libraries. Troubleshoot failed installations. Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 1 must be examined by ten questions, at least one and no more than two being derived from each of the six items listed below. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Install a database server. Clustering, default collation, file locations, number of instances, service accounts. 2. Upgrade a database server. From earlier versions. 3. Create a linked server Access data stored on other servers 4. Configure database mail functions HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 3

4 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Query databases via Configure network libraries. Communicate with non-local client applications 6. Troubleshoot failed installations Log files, error codes, troubleshooting resources The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. Alternatively, the 10 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 1 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least three of the six tasks listed below, including the first task. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Install a database server. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to install a database server. 2. Upgrade a database server. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to upgrade a database server from an earlier version. 3. Create a linked server A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create a linked server to and access data stored on other servers. 4. Configure database mail functions A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to configure database mail functions and query databases via Configure network libraries. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to configure network libraries and communicate with non-local client applications HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 4

5 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) 6. Troubleshoot failed installations A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to troubleshoot failed installations using log files, error codes and other troubleshooting resources. Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. Outcome 2 Create databases on a server. Knowledge and/or skills Create and alter databases. Attach and detach databases. Create and manage objects. Configure database performance. Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 2 must be examined by eight questions, two being derived from each of the four items listed below. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Create and alter databases. Add filegroups, configure filegroup usage, expand and shrink a database, set database options, size and place the transaction log. 2. Attach and detach databases. Move databases between servers. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 5

6 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) 3. Create and manage objects. Constraints, indexes, stored procedures, triggers, views. 4. Configure database performance. Capacity management, network connectivity, physical drive configurations, storage locations. The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. Alternatively, the 8 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 2 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least two of the four tasks listed below, including the first task. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Create and alter databases. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create and alter databases, including adding filegroups, configuring filegroup usage, expanding and shrinking a database, setting database options and sizing and placing the transaction log. 2. Attach and detach databases. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to attach and detach databases and move databases between servers. 3. Create and manage objects. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create and manage objects including constraints, indexes, stored procedures, triggers and views. 4. Configure database performance. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to configure database performance including capacity management, network connectivity, physical drive configurations and storage locations. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 6

7 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. Outcome 3 Manage, monitor and troubleshoot databases. Knowledge and/or skills Optimise database performance Optimise data storage Modify the database schema Perform disaster recovery operations Perform integrity checks Troubleshoot transactions and locking Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 3 must be examined by ten questions, at least one and no more than two being derived from each of the six items listed below. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Optimise database performance. Indexing, locking, recompiling. 2. Optimise data storage. Optimise files and filegroups, manage database fragmentation. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 7

8 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) 3. Modify the database schema. Normalisation, de-normalisation. 4. Perform disaster recovery operations. Perform backups, recover the system state and restore data, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot logs 5. Perform integrity checks. Use of system tools 6. Troubleshoot transactions and locking Use of system tools The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. Alternatively, the 10 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 3 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least three of the six tasks listed below. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Optimise database performance. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to optimise database performance including indexing, locking and recompiling. 2. Optimise data storage. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to optimise data storage including optimising files and filegroups and managing database fragmentation. 3. Modify the database schema. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to modify the database schema including normalisation and de-normalisation. 4. Perform disaster recovery operations. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 8

9 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to perform disaster recovery operations including performing backups, recovering the system state, restoring data and configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting logs. 5. Perform integrity checks. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to perform integrity checks by using system tools 6. Troubleshoot transactions and locking A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to troubleshoot transactions and locking to by using system tools. Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. Outcome 4 Extract and transform data. Knowledge and/or skills Import and export data. Develop and manage data transformation packages. Manage linked servers. Convert data types. Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 9

10 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 4 must be examined by eight questions, at least one and no more than two being derived from each of the five items listed below. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Import and export data. Bulk insert, bulk copy, data transformation, heterogeneous queries. 2. Develop and manage data transformation packages. Connect to data sources, copy data and database objects, run tasks, transform data 3. Manage linked servers. Manage database providers, configure security mapping. 4. Convert data types. Explicit, implicit conversions 5. Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services. Snapshot, transactional and merge replications. The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. Alternatively, the 8 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 4 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least three of the five tasks listed below. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Import and export data. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to import and export data including bulk insert, bulk copy, data transformation and heterogeneous queries. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 10

11 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) 2. Develop and manage data transformation packages. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to develop and manage data transformation packages to connect to data sources, copy data and database objects, run tasks and transform data. 3. Manage linked servers. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to manage linked servers including managing database providers and configuring security mapping. 4. Convert data types. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to convert data types including explicit and implicit conversions. 5. Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services including snapshot, transactional and merge replications. Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. Outcome 5 Manage and monitor database server security Knowledge and/or skills Select security modes Create and manage logons. Create and manage database users. Create and manage security roles. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 11

12 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Enforce and manage security Set permissions in a database. Manage security auditing. Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 5 must be examined by seven questions, one being derived from each of the seven items listed below. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Select security modes Client connectivity, client operating system, security infrastructure. 2. Create and manage logons. User and server logons. 3. Create and manage database users. Create database user, drop database user, user permissions. 4. Create and manage security roles. Roles include application, database, and server, add and remove users from roles, create roles to manage database security. 5. Enforce and manage security Stored procedures, triggers, views, user-defined functions. 6. Set permissions in a database. Object permissions, object ownership, statement permissions. 7. Manage security auditing. Use of system tools The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 12

13 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Alternatively, the 7 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 5 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least four of the seven tasks listed below. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Select security modes A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to select security modes including client connectivity, client operating system and security infrastructure. 2. Create and manage logons. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create and manage logons including user and server logons. 3. Create and manage database users. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create and manage database users including creating database users, dropping database users and setting user permissions. 4. Create and manage security roles. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create and manage security roles including application, database and server roles, adding and removing users from roles and creating roles to manage database security. 5. Enforce and manage security A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to enforce and manage security including the use of stored procedures, triggers, views and user-defined functions. 6. Set permissions in a database. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to set permissions in a database including object permissions, object ownership and statement permissions. 7. Manage security auditing. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to manage security auditing by using system tools. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 13

14 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. Outcome 6 Manage, monitor and troubleshoot a database server Knowledge and/or skills Create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs. Configure alerts and operators. Optimise hardware resource usage. Optimise and troubleshoot system activity. Evidence requirements Restricted response test The knowledge and skills component of Outcome 6 must be examined by seven questions, two being derived from each of three of the four items listed below and one being derived from the remaining item. Each question must be derived from a single item. 1. Create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs. Multiple steps, manual/automatic initiation, conditional branching. 2. Configure alerts and operators. Performance condition, error states, availability schedules. 3. Optimize hardware resource usage. CPU, disk I/O, and memory, use system tools to monitor hardware resource usage and resolve bottlenecks HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 14

15 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) 4. Optimize and troubleshoot system activity. Cache hits, connections, locks, memory allocation, recompilation, transactional throughput, use of system tools. The test may be administered on its own as a subtest or be combined with other outcome subtests in the Unit. Alternatively, the 7 questions for this outcome may contribute towards a single end-ofunit test of 50 questions. Logbook The logbook for Outcome 5 must record successful completion by the candidate of at least two of the four tasks listed below. The tasks to be completed must be selected by the tutor. 1. Create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs including multiple steps, manual/automatic initiation and conditional branching. 2. Configure alerts and operators. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to configure alerts and operators including performance conditions, error states and availability schedules. 3. Optimize hardware resource usage. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to optimize hardware resource usage including CPU, disk I/O and memory usage and use system tools to monitor hardware resource usage and resolve bottlenecks 4. Optimize and troubleshoot system activity. A record of the tasks carried out by the candidate to optimize and troubleshoot system activity including cache hits, connections, locks, memory allocation, recompilation, transactional throughput, using system tools. Assessment guidelines It is suggested that all the above concepts be presented and explained within the context of current real-world context and applications. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 15

16 Higher National Unit specification: statement of standards (cont) The suggested time allocation for a restricted response test is 2 minutes for each question plus 5 minutes starting-up time and 5 minutes finishing-off time, thus a total of 110 minutes should be allocated for a 50-question end-of-unit test. Although individual outcome tests are permissible, it is suggested that if subtests are to be used, outcomes should be combined to produce tests of no fewer than 10 questions. A 10-question test would therefore have a time allocation of 30 minutes. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 16

17 Administrative Information Unit code: DG0F 35 Unit title: Superclass category: Database Server Administration CD Date of publication: May 2004 Version 01 Source: SQA Scottish Qualifications Authority 2004 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that no profit is derived from reproduction and that, if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. Additional copies of this Unit specification can be purchased from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The cost for each Unit specification is (A handling charge of 1.95 will apply to all orders for priced items.) HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 17

18 Higher National Unit specification: support notes This part of the Unit specification is offered as guidance. The support notes are not mandatory. While the exact time allocated to this Unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional design length is 80 hours. The recommended time allocations for each outcome (including assessment) are as follows: Outcome 1: Outcome 2: Outcome 3: Outcome 4: Outcome 5: Outcome 6: 16 hours 16 hours 12 hours 12 hours 12 hours 12 hours Guidance on the content and context for this Unit As it is likely that the bulk of the material in this Unit will be delivered through lecturer exposition, it is important that every opportunity is taken to introduce real-world examples, opportunities for whole-class and group discussion and practical demonstrations wherever possible. Concepts and terminology should be presented in context throughout the Unit. Video presentations should be used where appropriate for providing an alternative explanation of a difficult topic, or as a focus for class discussion or groupwork. Given the theoretical nature of this Unit, it is intended that a significant amount of time will be made available as a central part of the course for revision, tutorials and formative assessment exercises. Candidates should be strongly encouraged to undertake further reading, and opportunities for individual or group research should be provided. The most important overall emphasis should be on the relevance and currency of content in such a rapidly-evolving field. This Unit may assist you in preparing for Microsoft examination : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server Vendor certifications can change rapidly and you should check the current details at to ensure that all objectives have been covered. This examination can also contribute towards the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Micrtosoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) awards. Outcome 1 Outcome 1 covers installing and configuring a database server. 1 Install a database server HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 18

19 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) Candidates should be able to install and configure SQL Server 2000/2003, including the selection of appropriate hardware and software and considerations such as clustering (multiple servers connected together by means of clustering software to act as a single fault-tolerant system), default collation (character sorting sequence windows or SQL, collation designators), file locations (primary and secondary data files, log files, filegroups), number of instances (default and named instances), service accounts (mapping of OS accounts to SQL services). 2 Upgrade a database server Candidates should also be able to upgrade from an earlier version of SQL Server (SQL Server 6.5 or SQL Server 7) to SQL Server Create a linked server They should be able to create a linked server to allow SQL Server to access data stored on other servers, including SQL Server databases, spreadsheets or text files. 4 Configure database mail functions They should be able to configure SQLMail and SQLAgentMail to allow database queries to be submitted, and the results returned, via . 5 Configure network libraries Candidates should be able to configure network libraries such as named pipes, multiprotocol, TCP/IP, AppleTalk and Banyan Vines to allow communication with non-local client applications. 6 Troubleshoot failed installations Candidates should be able to troubleshoot failed installations by examining the SQLstp.log file in the Windows directory and by using the Windows Event Viewer to check the Applications Log and the Systems Log. They should be able to check the error codes from an unattended installation and know about the support resources available at and via Microsoft TechNet. Outcome 2 Outcome 2 covers creating databases on a server. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 19

20 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 1 Create and alter databases Candidates should be able to create and alter databases. They should know that databases can be created using the Wizard tools or the SQL Server Query Analyser (using the CREATE DATABASE command) and be aware of the three files making up a database: the main database file or filegroup (.mdf), the history file or secondary data files (ndf) and the transaction log file (ldf). They should be able to set the minimum and maximum size of databases and be able to expand and shrink database files, either by using the AutoShrink option or the DBCC SHRINKDATABASE command and also be able to set database options such as statistics management, cursor behaviours, recovery options, ANSI compliance and state options (eg: read-only or dbo access only). 2 Attach and detach databases Candidates should be able to move databases between servers by detaching them from one server by using the sp_detatch_db stored procedure and attaching them to another one by using the sp_attatch_db stored procedure. 3 Create and manage objects Candidates should also be able to use Transact-SQL statements to create and manage objects such as constraints (Primary Key, Foreign Key, Null, Default, Check, Unique, No Action, Cascade), indexes (clustered, non-clustered and unique), stored procedures (sets of Transact-SQL statements which can be executed like a single command), triggers (rules to protect database content integrity) and views (the amount of the database available to a specified user). 4 Configure database performance Candidates must also be able to configure database performance. This includes capacity management (performance requirements, volume of usage, application design/data access methods), physical drive configurations (number of disks, total disk space, cache, channels, RAID), storage locations (OS, data files, temporary files, system databases, executables, transaction logs, backups) and network connectivity (each instance of SQL Server 2000 can be configured to listen on a specific set of network protocols and addresses. If an instance does not require network connectivity, it can be turned off by using the DISABLENETWORKPROTOCOLS switch. Outcome 3 Outcome 3 covers managing, monitoring and troubleshooting databases. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 20

21 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 1 Optimise database performance Candidates should know how to optimise database performance to decrease the time spent in dealing with queries and maximise data flow. Techniques employed include indexing (use of primary and foreign keys, unique rows), locking (ensuring that data being accessed by one user cannot simultaneously be modified by another) and recompiling (if table data has been changed or a new index has been added). 2 Optimise data storage They should also know how to optimise data storage, including the selection of appropriate data types, hardware considerations such as RAID and data placement, use of filegroups to split larger tables into smaller, related tables and they should be able to manage database fragmentation by specifying an appropriate Fill Factor, monitoring statistics via DBCC SHOWCONTIG and defragmenting indexes by using DBCC INDEXDEFRAG. 3 Modify the database schema Candidates should also be able to modify the database schema by normalising or denormalising the database design to optimise performance. 4 Perform disaster recovery operations Candidates should be able to perform disaster recovery operations, including carrying out full, differential and transaction log backups and restoring from these and backing up and recovering system state data. 5 Perform integrity checks Candidates should also be able to perform integrity checks by using system tools such as the Database Maintenance Plan Wizard and using the Database Consistency Checker (DBCC). 6 Troubleshoot transactions and locking Candidates should be able to troubleshoot transactions and locking by using system tools such as SQL Profiler, SQL Server Enterprise Manager or Transact-SQL. Outcome 4 Outcome 4 covers extracting and transforming data. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 21

22 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 1 Import and export data Candidates should be able to use Data Transformation Services (DTS) packages to import and export data to and from text files, spreadsheets and OLE database packages such as Microsoft Access. 2 Develop and manage data transformation packages They should also be able to use DTS to carry out bulk insert, bulk copy and resolve distributed queries which access data from multiple heterogeneous sources by using linked servers or ad-hoc connectors. 3 Manage linked servers They should also be aware that linked servers are virtual servers defined by using an OLE-DB driver to establish a connection to the data source and that mapped local logins can impersonate a login on the linked server to establish a security context. 4 Convert data types They should be able to convert data types, using both implicit and explicit data type conversion, eg: implicit when moving data to a different type of field, such as numeric data to a string fields, explicit when using a Transact-SQL Cast or Convert statement. 5 Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services Candidates should also be able to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot replication services, including Snapshot, Transactional and Merge replications. Snapshot Replication takes an exact copy of database objects as they appear at a given moment, and publishes them to a Distributor or Subscriber. With Transactional Replication, a base snapshot of the system is sent to the subscriber. From then on, every time data is changed on the publisher, it will be distributed to the subscriber. Merge replication is used when there are several systems working online and offline while making modifications to the data. Data can be sent from different systems to update one complete system and the changes propagated to all the subscribers at a later time. Outcome 5 Outcome 5 covers managing and monitoring database server security. 1 Select security modes Candidates should be able to select an authentication mode, either SQL Server Authentication, Windows Authentication Mode or Mixed Mode. The choice will depend on factors such as client connectivity, client operating system and security infrastructure. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 22

23 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 2 Create and manage logons Candidates should also be able to create and manage logins. With Windows Authentication, each user has an SQL Server login that corresponds to a Windows login account. If a user is not authenticated by Windows, they will not be allowed to login to the SQL Server. Another method of authenticating SQL Server logins is to create a separate SQL Server login. The user would log into Windows under one account and then into SQL Server under another. This is useful for users who cannot be authenticated by Windows, such as those on Unix or Netware accounts. 3 Create and manage database users Candidates should also be able to create and manage database users. During installation, two SQL Server accounts are created: sa and BUILTIN/Administrator. The default password for the sa account is blank and should be changed immediately for security reasons. The BUILTIN/Administrator account allows any valid Windows administrator to access SQL Server, so logging into any Windows 2000 machine as a network or machine administrator would grant access to SQL Server without a separate login. Database access is granted separately from SQL Server logins. 4 Create and manage security roles Candidates should be able to create and manage security roles, similar to Windows 2000 groups. Fixed Server Roles include most of the administrative roles such as sysadmin, which allows a user to perform any action and dbcreator, which allows a user to create and alter databases. Fixed Database Roler includes db_owner, which allows all database role activities to be performed, db_denydatareader, which allows a user to be blocked from reading any data in any table and db_backupoperator, which allows a user to back up the database. User-Defined Roles are for users who do not have the right to manage Windows accounts or for a group of users who need to perform the same type of activity within SQL Server. An Application Role is used by an application that accesses the SQL Server. The only privileges issued to a user are those given to the application. 5 Enforce and manage security Candidates should be able to enforce and manage security. They should be aware that stored procedures can be used to implement data security. Stored procedures should be created for inserting or modifying critical data and authorized users given execute permissions on them. This restricts unauthorized modifications to tables. Views can also be used to implement data security. Tables can contain a mix of confidential and nonconfidential data. This implies that only certain parts of a table should be visible to all users. If a view is created which selects only those columns and rows that are nonconfidential and users are granted select permission on the view, they can use the view to look at non-confidential data even if they do not have select permission on the underlying table. User-defined functions can also contain Transact-SQL statements and can also be used to perform calculations. Functions can be reused when creating an application. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 23

24 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 6 Set permissions in a database Candidates should also be able to set permissions in a database. They should know that permissions are cumulative, except when a permission is denied explicitly. Database owners are implicitly assigned all permissions on their created objects and are also allowed to grant, revoke, or deny permissions to anyone with access to SQL Server. Owners of Database Objects can grant, revoke or deny permissions to these objects to anyone, including Database Owners. They should know that three types of permissions apply to SQL Server: Statement Permissions allow a user to execute statements through Transact-SQL. This includes the create statements, such as Create Table, or Create Database, and the backup statements such as backup database or backup log. Object Permissions allow a user to do something, such as execute a Stored Procedure and view or update information. Predefined Permissions apply to database and database object owners, as well as fixed roles. Permissions can be granted, denied or revoked. 7 Manage security auditing Candidates should be able to manage security auditing by using system tools such as SQL Profiler and C2 auditing. Outcome 6 Outcome 6 covers managing, monitoring and troubleshooting a database server. 1 Create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs Candidates should be able to create, manage, and troubleshoot jobs. This is accomplished by using SQL Server Agent, an application that runs in the background and monitors actions taken by the database server. It can be configured to look for certain performance conditions, errors, and server states and can also be used to automate administrative tasks, such as backups and optimisations. There are three main areas within SQL Server Agent: jobs, operators and alerts. A job is any task that can be carried out by a person. They can consist of multiple steps and can be scheduled to run at specific times or initiated manually. Steps can have conditional branching applied to them, eg: if step 1 succeeds, proceed to step 2. If step 1 fails, exit the job and write an error to the Event Log. You can also set up a job to notify an operator when it has completed. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 24

25 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) 2 Configure alerts and operators Candidates should also be able to configure operators and alerts. Operators are people. SQL Server Agent can send messages to operators to report on server conditions, job status etc. Operators can be configured to receive messages via , pager, and net send and you can specify when an operator is available to receive messages. Alerts are designed to monitor and perform tasks in response to SQL Server performance conditions and error states, eg: execute a job, notify an operator, or both. 3 Optimise hardware resource usage Candidates should be able to optimise hardware resource usage and should be aware that the critical areas are CPU, disk I/O, and memory. If the CPU is not powerful enough to handle the load on the server, CPU will be consistently high and it is worth considering adding multiple processors or upgrading the current processor. If a server has insufficient memory installed, or has allocated insufficient memory to SQL Server, then performance will decrease. Data will be read from the disk instead of being stored in memory and Windows will make excessive use of the page file. If disk I/O is slow, there will be degradation of transaction throughput. This can be resolved with a faster disk with faster read/write capabilities. Bottleneck areas can be watched by using System Monitor to keep an eye on hardware resources and usage, eg: determine whether or not the CPU is being over-utilised by monitoring the Processor: % Processor Time counter, or determine if your system has enough memory by using the System Monitor to watch the counters Memory: Available Bytes and Memory: Pages/sec. If the counter for Pages/sec shows a high value, excessive or slow paging to the disk may be the cause of the bottleneck. 4 Optimise and troubleshoot system activity Candidates should be able to optimise and troubleshoot system activity and monitor cache hits, user connections, locks, memory allocation, recompilation and transactional throughput. If the number of user connections, or the users themselves are not configured properly, this will diminish the memory available to SQL Server and may make the system run slower than normal. If a process is being executed and forcing other processes to wait, or is being forced to wait itself because of blocking locks, then the system will be slowed down or will stop the blocked process entirely. System activity can be monitored by using traces and the System Monitor. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 25

26 Higher National Unit specification: support notes (cont) Guidance on the delivery and assessment of this unit This Unit is likely to form part of a group award which is primarily designed to provide candidates with technical or professional knowledge and skills related to a specific occupational area. It is highly technical in content and should not be adopted by group awards in other areas or delivered as a stand-alone Unit without careful consideration of its appropriateness. It is not a Unit which candidates are likely to find accessible at an introductory level; it is suggested that it be delivered only as part of a second-year HND program in Computing or a related area, after candidates have experience of basic background topics involved in the hardware and software aspects of computer networks. It should be delivered in tandem with other networking Units rather than prior to them, and opportunities for teaching and assessment integration explored. To minimise assessment overhead, sets of restricted-response questions are used to provide evidence of candidates knowledge for all Outcomes. It is suggested that multiple-choice questions can be used as the preferred assessment method as well as reducing the time required for assessment and marking, these reduce the need for candidates to memorise details and encourage understanding. The numbers of questions which must be answered correctly in each assessment correspond to 75% of those set in each case. Open learning If this Unit is delivered by open or distance learning methods, additional planning and resources may be required for candidate support, assessment and quality assurance. A combination of new and traditional authentication tools may have to be devised for assessment and re-assessment purposes. For further information and advice, please see Assessment and Quality Assurance for Open and Distance Learning (SQA, February 2001 publication code A1030). Special needs This Unit specification is intended to ensure that there are no artificial barriers to learning or assessment. Special needs of individual candidates should be taken into account when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment instruments or considering special alternative Outcomes for Units. For information on these, please refer to the SQA document Guidance on Special Assessment Arrangements (SQA, 2001). HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 26

27 General information for candidates This is a 2-credit Unit at Level 8 intended for candidates undertaking a Computing or ITrelated qualification who require an understanding of database server administration. It is designed to develop a detailed knowledge of the issues involved in designing and constructing secure computer networks. On completion of the Unit you should be able to: Install and configure a database server. Create databases on a server. Manage, monitor and troubleshoot databases. Extract and transform data. Manage and monitor database server security Manage, monitor and troubleshoot a database server In the first part of the course, you will study the installation and configuration of a database server, including installing a database server, upgrading a database server, creating a linked server, configuring database mail functions, configuring network libraries and troubleshooting failed installations. The second section covers creating databases on a server, including creating and altering databases, attaching and detaching databases, creating and managing objects and configuring database performance. The third section covers manage, monitoring and troubleshooting databases, including optimising database performance, optimising data storage, modifying the database schema, performing disaster recovery operations, performing integrity checks and troubleshooting transactions and locking. The fourth section covers extracting and transforming data, including importing and exporting data, developing and managing data transformation packages, managing linked servers, converting data types and configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting replication services. The fifth section covers managing and monitoring database server security, including selecting security modes, creating and managing logons, creating and managing database users, creating and managing security roles, enforcing and managing security, setting permissions in a database and managing security auditing. The final section covers managing, monitoring and troubleshooting a database server, including creating, managing and troubleshooting jobs, configuring alerts and operators, optimising hardware resource usage and optimising and troubleshoot system activity. There will be a closed-book multiple-choice assessment covering all outcomes. You will be presented with 50 questions and expected to answer 70% of these correctly. You will also be expected to keep a logbook recording the practical tasks you have carried out during the Unit. You must satisfy the requirements for these assessments in order to achieve the Unit. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 27

28 General information for candidates (cont) This Unit may assist you in preparing for Microsoft examination : Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server Vendor certifications can change rapidly and you should check the current details at to ensure that all objectives have been covered. This examination can also contribute towards the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) awards. HN Unit (DG0F 35): Database Server Administration 28