March 2008 - Posts
Yesterday Alyson Powell Erwin, the PerformancePoint Program Manager at Microsoft, hosted a TechNet webcast on Advanced Dashboard Creation with PerformancePoint Server 2007. Overall the webcast was very good and covered dashboard creation thoroughly. One of the notes Alyson mentioned in passing was that Microsoft is looking to release Service Pack 1 for PerformancePoint in May. Alyson mentioned 2 fixes that are going to included in the service pack. The first is that strategy map reports are going to allow more than one dashboard filter. The other fix is that the multi-select SSRS parameters will be supported.
Hopeful as the date approaches we will hear more details on the service pack.
While I was searching for new blogs, I came across one that had a post a post about data visualizations in Halo 3. For awhile now many video games, especially first person shooters, have had leaderboards showing top kills, most points, etc. Bungie has upped the ante on this. It goes further than just giving you simple statistics.
HeatMaps
Bungie has created a data visualization called heatmaps. The heatmaps show you hotspots where players were killed or killed someone else on a top down map of the level. An example would be of the Construct level kills with the Plasma grenade. Not only can you slice the data by Kills or deaths and weapon used, but they also have personal heatmaps for each player. This allows players to perform analysis both from a global level but a personal level. It will allow players to be able analyze what weapons are used most on which maps and where on that map even. It gives the player actionable data to be able to change their style and become a better player.
I can also see this data and visualization important to Bungie itself. It allows .hem to exam each map and how players react and move throughout the level. This would allow Bungie to continue to improve on the level layout and see how different layout work.
Game Viewer
Another data visualization used by Bungie is the Game Viewer. The Game Viewer allows a player to analyze a single game visually. Its a visual map of areas of the level. It shows markers where the player is and where they either killed another player at or where they were killed at. Again this allows a player to see where they are making mistakes and be able to improve their kill/death ratio.
It certainly looks like Bungie gets Business Intelligence and has adopted it. It gives their users the power to view and slice and dice their data allowing them to be able to analyze their games to be able to make better decisions in future games. This is an awesome idea and I'm hoping other games follow suit. This is a wide open area in BI for both the players and the game companies themselves.
This is the follow up post that finishes describing in detail the files on the SQL Server 2008 CTP DVD.
Tools Folder
The Tools folder contains the bits for the client tools installs along with any of the prerequisites that need to be installed. This folder would be on the second CD if you were using CDs instead of a DVD. The Tools folder is setup very similar to the Servers folder.
| redist folder |
folder containing installs for any prerequisites |
| Setup folder |
folder containing installs for the SQL Client Tool components |
| default.* files |
html splash screen file for launching the readme file, requirements, and the setup itself. Notice that it shows CD 2 in the corner. |
| ReadmeSQL2008.htm |
html file containing the release notes for SQL Server 2008. Same as in the Server folder. |
| RequirementsSQLKatmai.htm |
html file containing the hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2008. Same as in the Server folder. |
| sqlspkglist.dll |
CD Install package list helper library. Same as in the Server folder. |
Tools\redist Folder
This folder contains the redistributable software packages that are prerequisites for SQL Server to be installed. The folder contains no files just folders of each package. This folder does not have the .net frameworks like the Server folder.
| Powershell folder |
folder containing the install package for Powershell; Powershell is required for SQL Server 2008 |
| Upgrade Advisor folder |
Folder containing the the Upgrade Advisor; this is not required; it can be installed from the default.hta screen |
| Windows Installers folder |
Folder containing updates and newer versions of the Windows Installer |
Tools\redist\Powershell\x86 Folder
The powershell folder contains folders for each of the chip architectures. We will focus on the x86 folder. This folder contains the same items as the the Server folder.
| Windows6.0-KB928439-x86.msu |
Microsoft update for KB928439 - Windows Powershell for Vista |
| WindowsServer2003-KB926139* files |
Language specific executables to install KB926139 - Windows Powershell for Windows Server 2003 |
| WindowsServer2003-KB926140* files |
Language specific executables to install KB926140 - Localized Windows Powershell for Windows Server 2003 |
| WindowsXP-KB26139* files |
Language specific executables to install KB926139 - Windows Powershell for Windows XP |
| WindowsXP-KB26140* files |
Language specific executables to install KB926140 - Localized Windows Powershell for Windows XP |
Tools\redist\Windows Installer Folder
This folder contains the folders for each of the chip architecture updates. It also has one update file. This folder contains the same items as the Servers folder.
| ia64 folder |
folder containing the IA64 chipset windows installer updates |
| x64 folder |
folder containing the x64 chipset windows installer updates |
| x86 folder |
folder containing the x86 chipset windows installer updates |
| WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe |
Executable to install KB893803 - Windows Installer 3.1 v2 |
Tools\redist\Windows Installer\x86 Folder
This folder contains the x86 version of the Windows Installer updates. This folder is identical to the Servers folder.
| KB935695.MSU |
Microsoft Update for KB935695 - Installing Windows Installer 4.5 beta |
| WindowsInstaller-KB935695-x86.exe |
Executable to install KB935695 - Windows Installer 4.5 beta |
Tools\Setup Folder
Where the Servers root folder holds the overall chainer and setup program, this folder holds the installs for each of the SQL server components.
| Catalog folder |
folder containing a security catalog file that groups files into a logical group to avoid multiple trust dialog boxes. |
| Images folder |
folder containing images used for the splash screens. |
| MergeMod folder |
folder containing the MergeMod COM Server dll |
| Remote Debugger folder |
folder containing the 32-bit / 64-bit chipset installs for the Visual Studio 2008 Remote Debugger |
| wcu folder |
folder containing the Windows Component Upgrade installs |
| config.xml |
XML configuration file used by the OWC11.msi |
| MSDE2000.msp |
Microsoft Patch for Microsoft SQL Desktop Edition 2000 |
| msxml6*.msi files |
32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 |
| OWC11.MSI |
Microsoft Installer for Office 2003 Web Components |
| rs2000.msp |
Microsoft Patch for Reporting Services 2000 |
| setup.exe |
Main Setup executable which launches and coordinates the install each of the Client tools selected |
| setupex.dll |
Library file for SQL Server edition settings data |
| sqlncli*.msi files |
32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft SQL Server Native Client and SDK, the client contains the SQL OLE DB provider and SQL ODBC driver in one native dynamic link library (DLL) supporting applications using native-code APIs (ODBC, OLE DB and ADO) to Microsoft SQL Server |
| SqlRun_Bids.msi |
Microsoft Installer for the tools used in a development environment, including Business Intelligence Development Studio, Reporting Services Report Designer, Reporting Services Model Designer, and software development kits. |
| SqlRun_Tools.msi |
Microsoft Installer for the management tools, development tools, and legacy components.
this includes the Microsoft SQL Server Tools for PowerShell and components for communication between clients and servers, including network libraries for ODBC and OLE DB.
Also installs interactive management tools for running SQL Server, including SQL Server Configuration Manager, SQL Server Management Studio, SQL Profiler, and Replication Monitor.
Installs the software development kit containing resources for programmers.
A set of client-side technologies for working across XML and Relational Data.
Installs the Data Transformation Services Runtime and SQL-DMO.
Installs Books Online documentation for SQL Server 2008.
Installs sample code and sample applications, including samples for the Database Engine, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services, and three AdventureWorks sample databases. |
| SQLServer2005_BC*.msi files |
32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Data Transformation Services 2000 runtime, SQL Distributed Management Objects (SQL-DMO), Replication component (Repldts), SQL Virtual Device Interface (SQLVDI), and Decision Support Objects (DSO) |
| SqlServerKatmai_BOL.msi |
Microsoft Installer for the Books Online documentation for SQL Server 2008. |
| SqlWriter*.msi |
32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer, a Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) so that a third-party backup application can use the VSS framework to back up database files. |
| sqlxml4*.msi |
32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for Microsoft SQLXML 4.0 and its SDK |
| vs_shell.* files |
Installer of the Visual Studio Shell, a streamlined Visual Studio development environment. It provides the core foundation and allows integration with other Visual Studio editions. |
Tools\Setup\MergeMod Folder
This folder holds the MergeMod COM Server Library. Merge modules provide a standard method by which developers deliver shared Windows Installer components and setup logic to their applications. Merge modules are used to deliver shared code, files, resources, registry entries, and setup logic to applications as a single compound file.
| mergemod.dll |
Merge Module COM Server Library |
Tools\Setup\Remote Debugger\x86 Folder
This folder contains the Visual Studio 2008 Remote Debugger install for the x86 chipset.
| rdbgsetup.exe |
Installer for the Visual Studio 2008 Remove Debugger |
Tools\Setup\wcu Folder
The wcu, Windows Component Upgrade, folder contains the upgrades required to run the client tools, including the .net frameworks and web designer.
| dotNetFramework folder |
folder containing the .net framework installs required for the client tools |
| WebDesignerCore folder |
folder containing the Microsoft Visual Studio Web Authoring Component |
Tools\Setup\wcu\DotNetFrameworks Folder
This folder contains the install packages for the .Net frameworks required. Note, that SQL Server needs the new 3.5 framework to run. This folder is the same as the one in the Servers folder.
| dotNetFX20 folder |
folder containing the .net 2.0 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetFX30 folder |
folder containing the .net 3.0 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetFX35 folder |
folder containing the .net 3.5 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetMSP folder |
folder containing .net 2.0 SP1 and .net 3.0 SP1 |
| dotNetFX35setup.exe |
Executable used to launch the setup of the .net 3.5 framework |
Tools\Setup\wcu\WebDesignerCore Folder
This folder contains the Microsoft Visual Studio Web Authoring Component. The Web Authoring Component is a new HTML/ASP.NET design surface that is based on former FrontPages technologies, similar to Expression Web Designer.
| WebDesignerCore.exe |
Installer for the Microsoft Visual Studio Web Authoring Component |
With the release of the full feature SQL Server 2008 CTP recently, I've decided to install the CTP to become familiar with the new Business Intelligence features. Since I'm going to go install it for the first time, I am going to post a series of entries about my installation.
This post will focus on the folders and files contained on the 32-bit Developer Edition DVD of the SQL Server 2008 Feb CTP. The first thing I did was download the ISO and burn it to DVD. The DVD size is around 1.25 GB.
Root Folder
The root folder of the DVD is pretty simple. There are only 2 folders and the autorun file.
| Servers | folder containing the setup files for installing the server |
| Tools | folder containing the setup files for just the tools installation for clients. |
| Autorun.inf | the file which launches the CTP setup when the DVD is inserted |
Server Folder
The Server folder contains the bits for the server install along with any of the prerequisites that need to be installed. The folder main components are the setup executable and the SQL chainer / configuration files.
| 1033 folder | folder containing one small rtf file describing the features of this CTP and the setup of Reporting Services |
| help folder | folder containing a compiled help file detailing the installation of the CTP from hardware / software requirements to known issues with the installation |
| redist folder | folder containing installs for any prerequisites |
| Setup | folder containing installs for the SQL components |
| autorun.* files | files to make the make the CD autoplay; these files launch the splash.hta file. |
| ComponentUpdate.xml | XML file |
| configuration.uicfg | XML file used for the SQL Server Installation Center; it contains the actions for the links on the center along with the wizards to launch |
| DbgHelp.dll | Library file that contains debugging functions used by the symbols engine and for symbol and module enumeration |
| default.* files | html splash screen file for launching the readme file, requirements, and the setup itself |
| license.txt | Text file containing the SQL licensing terms |
| MediaInfo.xml | XML file describing the language type of the media |
| Microsoft.* files | These libraries are used by the setup program perform the installation from chaining together the install packages, configuration, and the install wizard itself. |
| MSClusterLib.dll | Microsoft Failover Windows Clustering Automation classes |
| msvcp80.dll / msvcr80.dll / Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest | Microsoft C / C++ runtime libraries |
| Package.xsd | XML schema for the chainer package XML. This XML is generated at build time and added to a package containing an installer. There are several types of installers (RTM, Service Pack, QFE) that all use this XML. |
| ReadmeSQL2008.htm | html file containing the release notes for SQL Server 2008 |
| RequirementsSQLKatmai.htm | html file containing the hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2008 |
| setup* files | Main executable files; This is the core of the setup which installs the setup files, installs the prerequisites, and then launches the SQL Server Installation Center. |
| splash.hta | html splash screen file displaying that this is the Feb CTP which in turn launches the default.hta file |
| sqlsccn.dll | SQL Server System Configuration Checks Native library |
| sqlspkglist.dll | CD Install package list helper library |
Servers\redist Folder
This folder contains the redistributable software packages that are prerequisites for SQL Server to be installed. The folder contains no files just folders of each package.
| DotNetFrameworks folder | folder containing the install packages for the .net frameworks required |
| Powershell folder | folder containing the install package for Powershell; Powershell is required for SQL Server 2008 |
| Upgrade Advisor folder | Folder containing the the Upgrade Advisor; this is not required; it can be installed from the default.hta screen |
| Windows Installers folder | Folder containing updates and newer versions of the Windows Installer |
Servers\redist\DotNetFrameworks Folder
This folder contains the install packages for the .Net frameworks required. Note, that SQL Server needs the new 3.5 framework to run.
| dotNetFX20 folder | folder containing the .net 2.0 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetFX30 folder | folder containing the .net 3.0 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetFX35 folder | folder containing the .net 3.5 framework redistributable install |
| dotNetMSP folder | folder containing .net 2.0 SP1 and .net 3.0 SP1 |
| dotNetFX35setup.exe | Executable used to launch the setup of the .net 3.5 framework |
Servers\redist\Powershell\x86 Folder
The powershell folder contains folders for each of the chip architectures. We will focus on the x86 folder.
| Windows6.0-KB928439-x86.msu | Microsoft update for KB928439 - Windows Powershell for Vista |
| WindowsServer2003-KB926139* files | Language specific executables to install KB926139 - Windows Powershell for Windows Server 2003 |
| WindowsServer2003-KB926140* files | Language specific executables to install KB926140 - Localized Windows Powershell for Windows Server 2003 |
| WindowsXP-KB26139* files | Language specific executables to install KB926139 - Windows Powershell for Windows XP |
| WindowsXP-KB26140* files | Language specific executables to install KB926140 - Localized Windows Powershell for Windows XP |
Servers\redist\Windows Installer Folder
This folder contains the folders for each of the chip architecture updates. It also has one update file.
| ia64 folder | folder containing the IA64 chipset windows installer updates |
| x64 folder | folder containing the x64 chipset windows installer updates |
| x86 folder | folder containing the x86 chipset windows installer updates |
| WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe | Executable to install KB893803 - Windows Installer 3.1 v2 |
Servers\redist\Windows\x86 Installer Folder
This folder contains the x86 version of the Windows Installer updates.
| KB935695.MSU | Microsoft Update for KB935695 - Installing Windows Installer 4.5 beta |
| WindowsInstaller-KB935695-x86.exe | Executable to install KB935695 - Windows Installer 4.5 beta |
Servers\Setup Folder
Where the Servers root folder holds the overall chainer and setup program, this folder holds the installs for each of the SQL server components.
| Catalog folder | folder containing a security catalog file that groups files into a logical group to avoid multiple trust dialog boxes. |
| Images folder | folder containing images used for the splash screens. |
| config.xml | XML configuration file used by the OWC11.msi |
| libertysql.msp | Microsoft Patch for Microsoft SQL 2000 (old codename was Liberty) |
| MSDE2000.msp | Microsoft Patch for Microsoft SQL Desktop Edition 2000 |
| msxml6*.msi files | 32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft Core XML Services 6.0 |
| OWC11.MSI | Microsoft Installer for Office 2003 Web Components |
| rs2000.msp | Microsoft Patch for Reporting Services 2000 |
| rsfx.msi | Microsoft Installer for the SQL Server 2008 RsFx driver, a file-system filter driver to aid access to the data through the NTFS Streaming APIs for the Filestream data type |
| setupex.dll | Library file for SQL Server edition settings data |
| sqlbrowser.msi | Microsoft Install for the SQL Browser, a service that listens for incoming requests for SQL Server resources and provides information about SQL Server instances that are installed on the computer. |
| sqlncli*.msi files | 32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft SQL Server Native Client and SDK, the client contains the SQL OLE DB provider and SQL ODBC driver in one native dynamic link library (DLL) supporting applications using native-code APIs (ODBC, OLE DB and ADO) to Microsoft SQL Server |
| SqlRun_AS.* files | Microsoft Installer for Analysis Services and tools used to support online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining; it also installs Integration Services |
| SqlRun_DTS.* files | Microsoft Installer for Integration Services, a set of tools and programmable objects for creating and managing packages that extract, transform, and load data, as well as perform tasks. |
| SqlRun_RS.*files | Microsoft Installer for the Report Server, which manages, executes, renders, and distributes reports. Also installs Report Builder, for ad hoc reporting. Also installs a Web-based tool for managing a report server. |
| SqlRun_SQL.* files | Microsoft Installer for SQL Server database engine and tools for managing relational and XML data, Replication, and Full-Text Search. Also tools for PowerShell |
| SQLServer2005_BC*.msi files | 32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Data Transformation Services 2000 runtime, SQL Distributed Management Objects (SQL-DMO), Replication component (Repldts), SQL Virtual Device Interface (SQLVDI), and Decision Support Objects (DSO) |
| SqlSupport.msi | Microsoft Installer for the Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files component |
| SqlWriter*.msi | 32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for the Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer, a Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) so that a third-party backup application can use the VSS framework to back up database files. |
| sqlxml4*.msi | 32-bit / 64-bit Microsoft Installers for Microsoft SQLXML 4.0 and its SDK |
| SSCERuntime.msi | Microsoft Installer for SQL Server Compact Core WIN32 Binaries, the mobile edition of SQL Server |
| SSCESqlWbTools.msi | Microsoft Installer for SQL CE Binaries for SQL Management Studio |
| Synchronization.msi | Microsoft Installer for the Microsoft Sync Framework Runtime v1.0 CTP Refresh |
| SyncServicesADO.msi | Microsoft Installer for Sync Services for ADO.NET enables synchronization between ADO.NET enabled databases. Since Sync Services for ADO.NET is part of the MSF, any database that uses Sync Services for ADO.NET can then also exchange information with other data sources that are supported by MSF, such as web services, file systems or custom data stores. |
| trin_aide.* files | Microsoft Installer for Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2.0 |
That wraps it up from the Servers folder. This constitutes the first CD or the server install. My next post a will go into the Tools folder. The Tools folder has similar items, so I will bring to attention the differences.
Joel Oleson is leaving the SharePoint Technical Product Management team at Microsoft. Working on the SharePoint since its early begins 7 years ago, his blog is one of the most informative on the inner workings of SharePoint itself. He also goes into the back history of SharePoint to give a rich picture of SharePoint.
Looks like where he may land is still up in the air, but he will continue to be a SharePoint advocate and avid blogger.
I wish him well in his future endeavors and look forward to reading his future blog where ever it may be.
At Mix this week Microsoft is releasing some details on their plans for Silverlight within SharePoint. Microsoft is releasing blueprints on how to build Silverlight webparts, navigation, etc. The are providing the blueprints and code examples of this at http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/cc303301.aspx.
Not only is this great news from a general SharePoint perspective, but also from a SharePoint BI front. This will lend well to creating custom visualization web parts for dashboards. The web parts will allow for more custom interactions and very crisp dynamic graphing and charting capabilities.
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