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Rating: 
Summary: A letter of recommendation for purchase
Review: This book is perfectly targeted for the SE group, which really surprised me because I'm not a big fan of Sybex Books. It can be 'read' instead of 'studied' (for example, on a plane or in a hotel room), and it is totally packed with information targeted directly at SEs (just look at the table of contents, and you'll see what I mean). I sat and read the first chapter and skimmed several others, and I found that each page had three or four great points that we all really need to know. It is clear to me that the authors must come from a consulting background. The knowledge in this book will help us all to: (a) understand SQL Server technology, (b) appear knowledgeable enough to instill confidence and promote a buying vision, (c) relate to and build rapport with SQL administrators, and (d) actually solve security-, configuration-, and performance-related issues. I'd like to see us buy a copy of this book for each SE.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for entry to mid-level MS-SQL7 administrators
Review: This is an excellent book. It clearly explains 'small' things like Error 1205, fill factor, replication server upgrading order, fixing of SPs that modify the system tables after upgrading, the importance of IPC$ as regarding to the client connections, and so on. Last night I was sitting in Barnes & Nobles, juggling all the MS-SQL7 administration books I could find. It is the cheapest, smallest of all (well, '... for Dummies' doesn't really count for my purpose), yet it is the only one that answers all my test questions. In my opinion, the only other way to get a good feeling on SQL7 is to read through all of the Books Online. How you can manage the thousands of pages is one problem though. I wouldn't even I do think I could. I am in the process of upgrading my MCSE to MCSE+I, and I am sure this book is all I need for now. However, here's an advise to my fellow SQL newcomers: I don't think it will really hurt if, in addition, you actually CAN install, upgrade, configure, backup, restore a few SQL7 servers ... AND know NT well. All in all, this is an excellent book for real-life administration and MS certification test.
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