Elaborating on Report Builder in SQL Server 2008

A definitive version of SQL Server 2008 is still not available. The latest available version is the RC0. This was released in June 2008 .

The Report Builder 2.0 in RC0 is a separate install and it is contained in a "Feature Pack". You will not be able to launch with'One Click" from Report Manager in RC0.

The Report Builder that you can launch from Report Manager in RC0 is still the old Report Builder 1.0 [came with Feb CTP in my case] Note:Interface looks quite different from Report Builder 2.0.

Here is something that can confuse you as it confused me. I asked questions
and found this answer. I am not entirely satisfied.

Report Builder 2.0(RC0) has the same functionality as Report Designer Preview which came with Feb 2008 CTP.

Report Builder 2.0(RC0) does not have the same functionality as Report Builder 1.0 in the Feb CTP.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is how the Report Builder 1.0 looks like.


1)You can create a New "Report" in which case it can connect to an existing SQL Server which is a native mode Report Server installed on a named instance of SQL Server 2008. But you cannot create, because it will throw an error if you try to connect to the named instance or any other instance.
The error "You cannot connect to it because "Specifying credentials in a URL is not supported"

There is no further explanation. Typical of clueless messages.


2)For a fresh install no report models exist, and therefore you cannot connect to a source.

3)You could open a file and look for a .rdl file to open but you will get the following (reason)error.

System.IO.StreamReader: The Report element was not found.

Note: I tried to connect to a *.rdl file created on Report Builder 2.0 using a SQL Server 2008 RC0 database and the program says it cannot open this item in the Report Builder because of the above reason.

Conclusion: Pretty wasted effort trying to use Report Builder 1.0 with SQL Server 2008 RC0

My question boils down to : Are these three one and the same in different stages of evolution?
Report Builder 1.0, Report Builder 2.0 and Report Designer Preview?

Here is how Report Builder 2.0 looks like:

Possible bug in SSRS 2008 with SQL Server 2008 RC0

This information is for those who may not access the Microsoft Bug Report site:

Initial Status of my SQL Server 2008 installations:
Feb 2008 CTP as well as SQL Server 2008 RC0 are installed on a Windows XP Media Center Edition with SP2 upgraded to SP3. This is a Laptop computer with a wired or wireless networking with other computers.
For Feb CTP I had chosen a default instance of SQL Server and for the RC0 I chose a named instance.
In both cases I had chosen native mode for the SSRS 2008.
Settings on Web Service URL:
---------------------------
Named instance:
============================I
P Address All Assigned
TCP Port: 8080
SSL: Not selected
Browser: IE 7.0
http://hodentek2:8080/ReportServer_SANGAM OK
http://localhost:8080/ReportServer_SANGAM OK
While trying to access http://127.0.0.1:8080/ReportServer_SANGAM
or
http://192.168.1.103:8080/ReportServer_SANGAM
it came up with a login prompt for which computer admin login
&
passowrd were supplied;
Result: Server Error in '/ReportServer_SANGAM' Application.Access is Denied.(0x80070005(E_AccessDenied)(Probably to do with ASP.NT requestientity)
--------------------------
Named instance:
IP Address All Assigned
TCP Port: 8080
SSL: Not selected
Browser: FireFox 2.0 All browsing resulted in Action Denied.
-------------------------
Default instance:
====================
IP Address default
TCP Port: default(8080)
SSL: Not selected
Browser: IE 7.0
http://hodentek2:8080/ReportServer OK

http://localhost:8080/ReportServer Web Page cannot e found (HTTP 400)http://192.168.1.103:8080/ReportServer HTTP 400
http://127.0.0.1:8080/ReportServer HTTP 400
---------
Reserved URL's with HTTPCFG: [Note: ACL's removed]
httpcfg query urlacl /u
on my computer which is running Windows XP Professional.

http://*:2869/http://+:8080/Reports/------------>Feb CTP
http://hodentek2:8080/ReportServer/
http://+:8731/Design_Time_Addresses/
http:/+80/Temporary_Listen_Addresses/
http://+:8080/Reports_SANGAM--------->RC0
http://+:8080/ReportsServer_SANGAM/-->RC0

HTTP Configuration Utility and Windows XP Professional

Web server administration tasks can be managed using the HTTP API. HTTPCFG.exe is the tool that you can use. Applications can communicate over HTTP without the presence of a web server.


An example of this is the SQL Server Reporting Services that comes with a default installation of SQL Server 2008 presently in RC0. SSRS 2008 became independent of Internet Information Services and has its own reserved URI. SSRS 2005 was dependent on IIS.


You can add query/Add/delete/ namespace reservations using this API. This allows administrators to use this to set up URI namespaces reservations and protect them with ACLs[Access ControlLists] so that only specified clients can access them. You can do other things as well.


While Windows Server 2003 is the system requirement for using this tool it can also be used in Windows XP Professional.


Using the httpcfg tool is described here.

Gasoline Price and a rational Interchange design

Interchanges are great for good traffic flow and avoid congestions. But they are expensive and you often drive a mile or two before you can take a simple U-turn [driving down US-1 in New Jersey for example]. The chances of missing a turn and driving like crazy to make up lost time is not uncommon either [remove those rigid separators to start with]. I think we should optimize the interchange and other devices designed to make traffic flow easier. What we want now is a design that is Simpler, uses less space, and consumes LESS GAS.

A good starting point to know about interchanges:
http://www.kurumi.com/roads/interchanges/cloverleaf.html

SSIS 2005 and the building blocks

In working with SQL Server Integration Services it is very important to know the details of the various building blocks that the Visual Studio provides. A building is never built like a monolith. It is rather constructed using the building blocks. Even larger programs are built using reusable smaller programs.

Another important thing to know is how you visualize a building. A good architectural design needs a good knowledge of the materials it can use - the building blocks. Of course you need a good cement and aesthetically pleasing finishing touches. Visual Studio 2005 and now 2008 has all the necessary ingredients.

This article shows one architect's view of using the building blocks to accomplish a particular task and there could be other simpler and more elegant designs possible coming from more experienced and accomplished architects. Read on and see how the blocks are assembled.

http://www.packtpub.com/article/data-processing-using-derived-column-aggregate-data-transformations




I have described in some detail a large number of the building blocks in my book
http://www.packtpub.com/sql-server-integration-services-visual-studio-2005/book

You can get a real jump start by reading this book in a matter of under two weeks.

We miss Tim

We miss Tim. He was the one guy I often watched. He was a real professional and asked all the tough questions and the guy in the opposite seat often seemed to flinch. He had well researched the subject before the interviews and he asked questions looking straight into the eyes. His intention was to get at the truth.
It's so very sad he died so young. My heartfelt condolenses to his family.

You got the SQL Server 2008 RC0, now you install it

I did not choose to upgrade Feb CTP to RC0. I installed a named instance (32-bit Standard Edition) on my Windows XP Professional SP2.

The downloaded executable brings with it a folder and number of files.

Folder:
x86
Files:
setup [Native SQL Install Bootstrapper]
readme
msvcr80.dll
mediainfo
autorun

Run the setup from a DOS prompt

You may be asked to download the latest Windows Installer

You also need to install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1(BETA).

You may have to upgrade your Windows XP SP2 to SP3.

Reboot PC

You will then work with the SQL Server Installation Center very much like the previous CTP's

In the SQL Server Installation Center click on the Installation item in the left side and choose the very first item on the right (for my installation) - new installation.

Now just follow the Wizard.

You may need to copy the KEY when you download as it is needed during installation. You may have to reboot a couple of times.

PS: If you follow the readme web page in the download you will be searching for a Servers folder. The instructions are not correct as the instructions for the previous CTP have not been modified.
If everything goes well you should be able to start your server:

Get your copy, SQL Server 2008 RC0 is out

You may download a copy from this location:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=35F53843-03F7-4ED5-8142-24A4C024CA05&displaylang=en

File downloaded:SQLFULL_ENU_x86.exe 929.9MB

The following versions:Enterprise, Standard, Evaluation and Express(Standard & Advanced)

You can save a DVD Image or self-extracting executables for the following:
X86
X64
IA64
For XP Professional you need SP3 in the download page. Note that the Hardware & Software requirements for x86 still needing XP SP2

Some notes from release notes(I insist you read this):
* You can upgrade from Feb 2008 CTP and not Nov 2007 CTP
For Nov 2007: Upgrade to Feb 2008 CTP before installing the RC0

* Do not use ADD/ Remove Programs to make change sto features but use the
Installation Center Page provided during installation and which can be accessed
from the short-cut

* Stop and restart WMI Service on the computer if you are using the previous CTP

On ADO DataReader Connection to Oracle etc

Read the following posts in my other blog :

On a connection to ADO DataReader from Oracle

What does strDup() do?

On converting String into ByteArray()

You can have them if you want them

I am downsizing, and I plan to give away my technical journals, conference proceedings etc to anyone who meets the following criteria. The list of SPIE Optical Engineering journals which are ready to be given away have been collected and more will be added to the list. If you are interested you may get in touch with me at jkrishnaswamy@comcast.net.

I plan to give them way to (in the order of preference):
Minority non-profit educational institutions
Minority non-profit
Minority individuals in the education track who can demonstrate the need

It is assumed that they will make arrngements to pick them up.


06/01/87 | 04/01/88 | 06/06/88 | 07/01/88 | 08/01/88
11/01/88 | 12/01/88 | 01/01/89 | 07/01/89 | 05/01/90
12/01/91 | 11/01/92 | 12/01/92 | 04/01/93 | 08/01/93
09/01/93 | 11/01/93 | 12/01/93 | 01/01/94 | 02/01/94
03/01/94 | 04/01/94 | 05/01/94 | 06/01/94 | 07/01/94
08/01/94 | 09/01/94 | 10/01/94 | 11/01/94 | 12/01/94
01/01/95 | 02/01/95 | 03/01/95 | 04/01/95 | 05/01/95
06/01/95 | 07/01/95 | 09/01/95 | 11/01/95 | 03/01/96
10/01/90 | 07/01/92 | 02/01/97 | 09/01/96 | 09/01/90
11/01/90 | 01/01/97 | 12/01/96 | 06/01/97 | 01/01/96
04/01/92 | 01/01/93 | 02/01/90 | 03/01/90 | 04/01/88
03/01/93 | 05/01/98 | 04/01/98 | 05/01/97 | 08/01/89
09/01/97

Model WRT100 Linksys Range Plus Wireless Router

Recently I removed my 3 year old LINKSYS Etherfast Cable/DSL router and installed WRT 100 to provide a wireless link to my Toshiba Laptop which had a built-in WIFI. Installation was effortless and the animated instructions are well made with clutter-free graphics. One downside is I need to keep atleast one wired computer working all the time. The lap top did see the wireless node, but I had to work on making the connection. Next I tried to use the built-in security. But how in the heavens would I remember the password that goes something like this:

xzvbxu34mduemx8e9438