The goal of this chapter is to design, implement, and manage an effective core database engine to produce a resilient data platform. The core database engine is the main platform for managing all of the business data for your organization both archived and current in a relational database management system. The physical and logical architecture we choose for SQL Server can have a dramatic impact on the system's ability to stand as mission-critical databases that are flexible and scalable. As a DBA and advanced user of SQL Server 2008 R2, you have to develop best practices that combine a streamline of services for deployment, migration, and management of your data platform.

SQL Server 2008 R2 has rich and intuitive GUI management tools, which lower the costs in data management by incorporating automation and delegation of administrative tasks. This chapter covers the SSMS features that are new and enhanced in SQL Server 2008 R2 to enable operational efficiency in developing the...