Book excerpt: Develop the skill you need in the real world. Hit the ground running with the street-smart training you'll find in this practical book. Using a "Year in the life" approach, it gives you an inside look at SQL Server 2005 database administration, with key information organized around the actual day-to-day tasks, scenarios, and challenges you'll face in the field. This valuable training tool is loaded with hands-on, step-by-step exercises covering all phases of SQL Server 2005 administration, including: * Installing and configuring SQL Server * High availability and disaster recovery * Maintenance and automation * Monitoring and troubleshooting An Invaluable study tool This no-nonsense book also maps to the common tasks and objectives for Microsoft's MCTS SQL Server (TM) 2005 Implementation and Maintenance exam (70-431). So whether you're preparing for certification or seeking practical skills to break into the field, you'll find the instruction you need, including: * Upgrading from a previous version of SQL Server * Configuring an operating mode * Restoring a database * Creating a Transact-SQL user-defined type * Using Windows(r) System Monitor to Monitor performance THE STREET SMARTS SERIES is designed to help current or sparing IT professionals put their certification to work for them. Full of practical, real world scenarios, each book features actual tasks from the field and then offers step-by-step exercises that teach the skills necessary to complete those tasks. And because the exercises are based upon exam objectives from leading technology certifications, each Street Smarts book can be used as a lab manual for certification prep.