Being new to SQL 2005 and a "part time" DBA, this book has helped me with a number of situations I needed to solve. I use it daily.

The information is displayed in a easy-to-find manner. The style is clear and concise.

If you are new to SQL Server 2005 administration, this is the book to keep on your desk.

This is one of the most complete books on SQL 2005 available.
It may be a bit much for a beginner, though. Brush up on the terminology
and basic concepts first, and then this book will explain a great deal
about the day to day workings of a database in a production environment.

I have read the book as a pro.. i do have been working with sql server for a number of years now. So going thru the initial sections was pretty quick... i am quite impressed with the format and the step by step approach to a number of configuration procedures which is not so common and where it hurts the most.

Enjoy reading...

Kumar

My department is in the process of migrating to MS SQL2005 from SQL2000 and this book is a must have for any administrator. If your familar with previous administrator companion books, this one is very similar in nature. The book has already paid for itself in tips in performance configurations. The author's include small 'Real World' sections in most area's that provide a good information and suggestions.

In addition, if you are new to MS SQL2005, this book will provide good background information and review all the concepts that make a good DBA.

Looks like all the reviews for this book are for SQL 7.0. I have the SQL 2005 version of this book and I have to say it is VERY complete. It is not a rehash of online material, but in depth coverage of essential SQL technologies and system administration. If you want a programming guide, skip this book. If you want to know how SQL works, and what to do if it is broken (better yet, read this book and learn how not to break it first), then buy this book. Essential for any DBA.

Looks like all the reviews for this book are for SQL 7.0. I have the SQL 2005 version of this book and I have to say it is VERY complete. It is not a rehash of online material, but in depth coverage of essential SQL technologies and system administration. If you want a programming guide, skip this book. If you want to know how SQL works, and what to do if it is broken (better yet, read this book and learn how not to break it first), then buy this book. Essential for any DBA.

I have been tuning SQL Server databases for some time, and have not seen such a good reference short of the Inside SQL Server series originated by Ron Soukup.

I strongly recomend this book for everyone creating or maintaining an enterprise database.