Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Book Image

SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook

Overview of this book

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system. As a database, it is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications. SQL Server Analysis Services adds OLAP and data mining capabilities for SQL Server databases. OLAP (online analytical processing) is a technique for analyzing business data for effective business intelligence. This practical guide teaches you how to build business intelligence solutions using Microsoft’s core product – SQL Server Analysis Services. The book covers the traditional multi-dimensional model which has been around for over a decade as well as the tabular model introduced with SQL Server 2012. Starting with comparing MultiDimensional and tabular models – discussing the values and limitations of each, you will then cover the essential techniques for building dimensions and cubes. Following on from this, you will be introduced to more advanced topics, such as designing partitions and aggregations, implementing security, and synchronizing databases for solutions serving many users. The book also covers administrative material, such as database backups, server configuration options, and monitoring and tuning performance. We also provide a primer on MultiDimensional eXpressions (MDX) as well as Data Analysis expressions (DAX) languages. This book provides you with data cube development techniques, and also the ongoing monitoring and tuning for Analysis Services.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
SQL Server Analysis Services 2012 Cube Development Cookbook
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Implementing security in Tabular Models


One of the key differentiators or reasons to move Power Pivot models into SQL Server Analysis Services is security. Tabular Models support a much more robust security model than what is available in Power Pivot in Excel or SharePoint.

Getting ready

In order to work with security, you will need some users that you can assign to the roles. In my solution, I have added SteveReader and SteveFiltered to my local computer. Normally, you would be using Active Directory users and groups to manage your security. If you have a test or development environment with users at your disposal, use them. In either case, you will need users to complete this next recipe.

How to do it…

You can open the Role Manager dialog by clicking on the Roles button on the toolbar or the Roles option in the MODEL menu item. This will open the Role Manager dialog. You will be creating a read-only role, which will prevent a user from reloading data or making changes to the model:

  1. This can...