Nikola Kasev @ Blogging

Wow, I just passed my first Microsoft SQL Server 2005 official exam. I am now a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)!

I went for the 70-431 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005: Implementation and Maintenance. Quite a challenging one, I have to say.

During the preparation I came across several interesting articles that helped a lot:

1. Database Mirroring in SQL Server 2005, http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/dbmirror.mspx; Make sure you setup to SQL Server nodes and play with the queries given;


2. COPY_ONLY Backups in SQL Server 2005, http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/3591131; As an example scenario you can use the AdventureWorks database and play with the four different backup choices;


3. Monitoring Resource Usage, http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191246.aspx; Quite a useful set of performance counters to know when analyzing the performance of a SQL Server 2005 solution;

Unfortunately, there are not many articles and resources on SQL Server 2005 yet. Most of the information I got from the SQL Server Books Online which is the most useful resource ever on Microsoft SQL Server.

I wish you happy preparation and good luck on the exam. I am going for the next one too ;)