1. Adventures in SQL Server Master Certification
Robert L Davis
#43 Redmond

2. Robert L Davis Sr. Production DBA / Operations Engineer at Microsoft
Technical lead of PQO Operations SQL V-team
Co-author of Pro SQL Server 2008 Mirroring
Certified Master SQL Server 2008
MCITP Database Admin SQL 2005 and SQL 2008
MCITP Database Developer SQL 2005 and SQL 2008
Worked as a SQL Server developer/administrator for 10+ years
Blog:
Twitter:

3. Mission of the Masters Program
Provide advanced training that deepens the technical skills of experienced data professionals
Build a community of trusted experts who can successfully address the most complicated and challenging customer scenarios
Opportunity to recognize and validate experienced candidates with the most advanced technical certification offered by Microsoft

4. Program History 2002 2006 October 2008
Exchange Customer Experience group formed the “Exchange Rangers” internal Microsoft program.
Mission: Identify trusted experts within Microsoft who can help properly design mission critical environments
2006
SQL Rangers Program for SQL Server 2005
Available to internal Microsoft staff only
First 4 rotations
October 2008
Rebranded to Microsoft Certified Master Program
Open to all who qualify
Rotation 5+ for SQL Server 2008

5. Expectations of an MCM Enable others to make the right choices
With experience and data to back up your recommendations
Be able to establish credibility quickly
Take charge of a situation (technical leader)
Be responsible for what you know, for what you don’t know and never confuse the two
Avoiding the dangers of “expertise”

6. Core SQL Server Components (Relational Engine, Storage Engine, SQLOS)
What should an MCM know?
Core SQL Server Components
(Relational Engine, Storage Engine, SQLOS)
High Availability
Disaster Recovery
Performance Tuning & Optimization
I/O Concepts
Security
Manageability
Data Distribution Technologies

7. Content Depth of Program
Training is meant to deepen existing knowledge and also “level set” gaps.

8. SQL DBA Professional Levels
Database Technician
Can perform most tasks assigned via the GUI
Understands basically how SQL Server works
Jr. Database Administrator
Knows most tasks that need to be performed and can perform them, often without the GUI
Basic understanding of how the SQL Server engine works
Sr. Database Administrator
Knows what tasks need to be performed, why they need to be performed, and how to perform them without using the GUI
Understands the inner workings of the engine to some level
SQL Master
Understands and can explain the inner workings in detail
Designs comprehensive action plans rather than working with simple tasks

9. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 1
Database Technician
Can back up a database using the GUI
Jr. Database Administrator
Can back up a database using T-SQL
Creates a maintenance plan to backup all databases daily
Understands the difference between the different backup types
Understands the basic differences in the recovery models
Sr. Database Administrator
Writes own processes to manage the backup and restore processes
Develops and implements a backup strategy
Understands when and why to use full, differential, and log backups and the correct restore process for each
Understands how to choose an appropriate recovery model
SQL Master
Writes a comprehensive plan for disaster recovery that dictates the backup strategy to meet business requirements
Understands how the inner workings of backup and restore work and the effect each has on the system

10. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 1
SQL Master
Writes a comprehensive plan for disaster recovery that dictates the backup strategy to meet business requirements
Understands how the inner workings of backup and restore work and the effect each has on the system
Understands the inner workings of the different recovery models and how they affect the system
Can perform advanced backup and restore scenarios on the fly such as single page restores to recover from corruption or inspect the Differential Changed Map to determine how big a differential backup would be

11. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 2
Query:
SELECT LastName, FirstName
FROM dbo.Customers
WHERE LastName = ' Davis‘
Indexes:
Clustered index on CustomerID
Nonclustered on FirstName
Nonclustered on LastName

12. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 2
Database Technician
Knows that the index on LastName may speed up the query if used but doesn’t understand why it is sometimes not used
Has heard that fragmentation can affect performance but doesn’t know how to check it or correct it
Does not perform index maintenance routines

13. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 2
Jr. Database Administrator
Knows how to check the query plan to determine if it uses the index or not
Knows that adding an index on LastName, FirstName will improve performance even more
Knows that there are DMV’s to track and report on missing indexes
Knows how to check for fragmentation and how to rebuild or reorganize indexes based on pre-defined criteria
Creates maintenance plans to perform routine index maintenance

14. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 2
Sr. Database Administrator
With current indexes, knows that SQL will perform either a clustered index scan or nonclustered index seek + key lookups
Knows that the decision will be based on the optimizer’s internal cost prediction of the 2 options
Knows that a covering index, if added, will always be used for this query and will perform quicker
Knows how to test the various indexing options to determine the best index to optimize performance of the given query
Knows that adding a covering index will make the index on FirstName redundant and will remove it
Knows that the missing index DMV’s should not be automatically implemented and will test indexing scenarios with the Database Engine Tuning Advisor
Can make logical decisions on whether to rebuild or reorganize an index
Understands that certain designs and activities increase fragmentation and implements better practices

15. SQL DBA Prof. Levels, example 2
SQL Master
Can estimate whether SQL Server will use a clustered index scan or nonclustered index seek for a given value for LastName by inspecting the selectivity of the index statistics and calculating the percentage of rows expected to be returned
Able to determine the cost of maintaining additional indexes versus the benefits they provide
Uses a variety of tools to test the indexes against a real production-like workload
Understands and validates situations where advanced indexing strategies would be effective, such as filtered indexes, filtered statistics, or user created statistics
Designs table structures and indexing strategies to maximize performance and minimize maintenance

16. Path to Master Certification
Qual Lab
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Must pass all tests
3 attempts allowed per exam\lab. No charge f. Remotely proctored via web cam and Live Meeting.

17. Three Written Exams 2 hours for each exam
Given weekly at the end of each week
Monday week 2 and 3, Saturday week 3
Multiple choice
If you don’t pass, you’ll be told what areas you need to work on
By taking the exam, you agree not to discuss the content of the exam

18. Six Hour Qualification Lab
Virtual hands on lab
Tests your ability to design, implement and troubleshoot
Open book
You can use Books Online or the internet
You can use your own scripts
But no collaboration with other human beings
Like the exams, there should be no discussion of the lab contents or sharing of what is tested
Keep it secret for everyone so everyone has an equal challenge
6 Hours in duration
Practice may help you to pass
Optional exercises provided for practice

19. Why go through it? Significant market differentiator
Program not for the masses. MCITPs intended for tens of thousands. MCMs intended for a few hundred.
Today we have 79 SQL MCMS in the world!
No shortcuts to earn this certification
No brain dumps. No “test out” option. You’ve got to go through the experience to attain this certification
Skill building and refining via three weeks of uninterrupted training with some of the best trainers in the world
Build valuable contacts, network, peers that you will stay in contact with over the years
After certification, ongoing community participation ( DLs, community calls, ongoing education sessions, contact with SQL team)
Upgrade paths are defined upon major releases (for example MCM upgrade to MCM 2008 by passing the 2008 Qualification Lab)

20. Tips for Success Commit to the program
Put all other commitments aside
Do not get derailed if you fail an exam
~30% of candidates pass all exams on the first try
~80% pass with follow-up retakes
Work together and help each other
Study and practice
Do the optional exercises
Study every night and weekends
Study in groups
If you have questions, speak up
Make yourself comfortable

21. Resources Masters Certification info: The public Master Blog:
The public Master Blog:
My blog entries on the MCM program:
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Brent Ozar’s blog on the MCM program :

22. Frequently Asked Questions
Does it really cost $18,500?
Yes, but there are discounts available
What discounts?
They often run specials for discounts
MVP’s get a discount
Unused PSS contract hours can be applied to cost
See Brent Ozar’s blog for more information
What documentation did you submit?
Certification Transcript
1 page Project Plan – SQL 2000 to 2005 migration, HA implementation, scale-out via merge replication
Documentation on Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Would you do it again?
Absolutely. I plan to do the Certified Architect program next year
What would you do differently if you did it over?
Schedule time off of work at the end of the program.

23. ?
Questions
That big question mark is editable – use whatever character you want!

24. SQL Saturday #43 Redmond Robert L Davis@
SQL Saturday #43 Redmond Robert L Davis
Adventures in SQL Server
Master Certification
Robert L Davis (blog|twitter)