managing sql 2000 databases with SQL Mgmt Studio 2005

[divinyl]

Hi all

I've set up SQL 2005 on my machine and am administering my companies sql 2000 databases with it. I just want confirmation that i wont screw anything up this way - i know the data is the same, but there are a few differences that i worry may mess things up. For example, i know sql maintenance plans in 2005 only allow one schedule for the whole maint plan, whereas in 2000 you could have multiple schedules for different tasks within the same plan. I just wonder if playing around with 2000 databases in the 2005 mgmt studio (with it's new functionality AND restrictions) might mess something up.

Any tips??
Div
P.S. I HATE maintenance tasks in SQL 2005!!! It's like building a web form in visual studio!!!

 

[DrSql]

Trail and Error.

Dr.Sql
Good Luck.

 

[divinyl]

i'd prefer to know the best practises first!!!

 

[DrSql]

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/nKishore/sqlserver2005bestpractices.asp

Dr.Sql
Good Luck.

 

[mrdenny]

You can't screw up anything by using the SQL 2005 tools to manage your 2000 servers. I've been doing so for about 6 months now.

The Maint plans are now SSIS packages. If you need to schedule things to run at different times, you need to make more than one maint plan. Then you can have more than one schedule.

Having all the tasks run together actually makes more sence as you can't have index rebuilding happening at the same time as dbcc's are running. (Which was very easy to do with SQL 2000 plans.)

The best practice will be what is best for your server and databases. What works best for one database may not be best for another database. For example I've got OLTP systems and DSS systems. For the DSS servers 7pm is the best time to run maintenance plans. For the OLTP system there isn't a good time so I run them at 11pm. (Although with the online index rebuilding in Enterprise Edition there are less problems running maintenance plans).

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

 

[divinyl]

Thanks Denny - that's very helpful!

Cheers
Div

 

[mrdenny]

no problem

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000) / MCTS (SQL 2005)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com