Now if your database is smaller, then creating this map is no problem.  It just takes a few seconds, or a few minutes.  However if your database is say 1 TB in size like mine is, then you’ll want to allow the SQL Server to create the map while the data is being backed up.

Now creating the OLR Map is a pretty quick operation when done as part of the database backup, somewhere about 10-20 seconds if you believe Quest (I didn’t really see any change in database backup time).  When done after the fact this can take a very long time.  In my case creating the map afterwords takes over 12 hours.  Now the good news is that if you do it on object level restore you only need to do it the first time you restore an object from the file, as the object map is written to the backup.  Now the downside to this is that you have to write to the backup file.  In my case I found of this the hard way, I had the volume with the backup mounted in read only mode on the server that was running the OLR process.  Because of this the OLR process had to be stopped and the volume remounted, then the OLR process restarted.

So in short.

• Add the @OLRMap=1 parameter to your backups.

If you can’t, or need to restore from an existing backup.

• Make sure the volumes are read/write

Or do a full restore, then use SSIS to move the data to the production server.

Denny

Thanks to some great sponsors the lunch plans have changed a little for this event.  Instead of everyone heading out for lunch a group of vendors has gotten together and sponsored lunch for everyone.  The Lunch sponsors who I can’t thank enough are Microsoft, Emulex, Quest Software and Red Gate.

So head on over to the Event Bright page and get signed up.  Seating is limited, as are the number of lunches, so be sure to get signed up quickly.

Denny

Now, you’ll want to pay attention here.  You need to print the cards up before you leave for Seattle (be sure to refresh between printing so that you have three different cards as there are more people than spots on the cards).  There will be some cards available at the Quest / SQLServerPedia booth, but not enough for everyone.  Code Gumbo has the rules laid on in a post so be sure to check them out.

In a nutshell the rules are print and bring three bingo cards with one.  One for each day.

Find people around the summit who’s handles and faces are on your bingo cards.  Each person will have a keyword to tell you.  Write the word on there square.  When you have the correct set marked off (Tuesday is a single line, Wednesday is two lines, and Thursday is blackout) turn in the card at the SQLServerPdia booth.  Each day there will be two winners drawn and emailed.

Now how do you find the right people in very large Seattle convention center?  Luck, and Twitter is how.  Keep an eye on the #sqlbingo hash tag throughout the summit as many of the people who are squares will be posting using that tag so that people know where to find them (myself included).

Have fun, see you at PASS.  Don’t forget to ask for my code word.

Denny

The official schedule is that my good friend Brent Ozar (Blog | Twitter) will be giving some presentations on Storage and Index Tuning.  I’ve decided to break that up by sneaking in a stealing the microphone and talking about some Server Virtulization.

If you can’t make it in person because you live somewhere that has like Winter and stuff then join online and watch/listen to the fun.

See you there.

Denny

Denny

And as a bonus one lucky attendee will win SQL Server expert Kevin Kline’s new essential reference book, SQL in a Nutshell.

See you on the webcast.

Denny

The slide decks are hosted via Slide Share and the sample code from my presentation is up on the SQLServerPedia.com servers.

Denny

Brent Ozar and myself will be presenting several presentations on SQL Server 2008.

For more information and to register for the event visit Quest webpage for this event.

I’ll be speaking on Spotlight on SQL Server Enterprise and Brent is doing a couple of presentations.

Denny

Denny

Read on for info about a couple of the sessions.

I sat in on an excellent session on the brand new auditing features of SQL Server 2008. It was most informative as to just how in depth the new auditing features are. (I’ll be posting more about the new auditing features later on).

I also sat in on an excellent session on SQL Server 2008′s Clustering by Max Verun. It was extremely informative on some of the new clustering features.

There was also an excellent SQL Service Broker Performance & Scalability Techniques by Michael Thomassy which went over how a South American bank and MySpace use SQL Service Broker.

I heard from a few people that I talked to that the SQL Server 2008 on SAN session was great, as was the XML session by Michael Rys.

I was supposed to go to the Quest Launch Party for the SQLServerPedia.com Wiki, but I got caught up talking to people at the Microsoft MVP party and didn’t realize just how late it had gotten. Sorry Guys, next time I promise.

Tomorrow I’m only planning on a couple of sessions as I’m scheduled to take a couple of MCP exams tomorrow, so that’s a chunk of the day right there.

I was able to grab a couple of pictures of the exhibit hall. The exhibit hall is much smaller than this year. It’s a sign of the times I guess.

I’m sure tomorrow will have some cool sessions in it. I’ve got to go and get some sleep now. Breakfast starts at 7:30 pacific.

Denny