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Preparation Guide for Exam 70-448

TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

Updated: September 30, 2008
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Exam newsExam news
Audience profileAudience profile
Credit toward certificationCredit toward certification
Preparation tools and resourcesPreparation tools and resources
Skills measuredSkills measured

Exam news

This Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (TS) exam, Exam 70-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance, became available in September 2008.

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Audience profile

Candidates for this exam are responsible for creating business intelligence (BI) solutions by using Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for their organizations. Candidates typically work with the full suite of BI technologies in SQL Server 2008, including Reporting Services, Analysis Services, and Integration Services. The qualified candidate for this exam typically has:

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One to two years of experience working with the Microsoft .NET Framework

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Two to three years of experience using SQL Server 2005 BI components

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Six months to one year of experience using SQL Server 2008

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Experience using the SQL Server 2008 Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS)

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Experience using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

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Knowledge of relational and multi-dimensional database schemas

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Experience creating and deploying a cube in SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS)

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Experience creating and deploying a data mining model in SSAS

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Experience writing relational and multi-dimensional database queries

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Experience creating and deploying SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports

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Experience authoring and deploying SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages

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Experience debugging, monitoring, and troubleshooting BI solutions

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Credit toward certification

When you pass Exam 70-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance, you complete the requirements for the following certification:

•Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
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Preparation tools and resources

To help you prepare for this exam, Microsoft Learning recommends that you have hands-on experience with the product and that you use the following training resources. These training resources do not necessarily cover all of the topics listed in the "Skills measured" section.

Classroom trainingMicrosoft E-LearningMicrosoft Press booksPractice tests

Course 6234: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Analysis Services (three days)

Course 6235: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Integration Services (three days)

Course 6236: Implementing and Maintaining Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (three days)

Collection (TBD): Business Intelligence in SQL 2008: Integration Services, Reporting Services and Analysis Services (18 hours)

Availability expected in December 2008.

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-448): Microsoft SQL Server 2008 - Business Intelligence Development

Availability expected in March 2009.

MeasureUp (Measureup.com)

Self Test Software (Selftestsoftware.com)

Microsoft online resources

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Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Learning Portal: Find special offers and information on training and certification.

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Product information: Visit the SQL Server 2008 Web site for detailed product information.

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Microsoft Learning Community: Join newsgroups and visit community forums to connect with your peers for suggestions on training resources and advice on your certification path and studies.

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TechNet: Designed for IT professionals, this site includes how-to instructions, best practices, downloads, technical resources, newsgroups, and chats.

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MSDN: Designed for developers, the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) features code samples, technical articles, downloads, newsgroups, and chats.

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Skills measured

This exam measures your ability to accomplish the technical tasks listed in the following table. The percentages indicate the relative weight of each major topic area on the exam.

Skills measured by Exam 70-448
Implementing an SSIS Solution (17 percent)

Implement control flow.
This objective may include but is not limited to: checkpoints; debug control flow; transactions; implement the appropriate control flow task to solve a problem; data profiling and quality

Implement data flow.
This objective may include but is not limited to: debug data flow; implement the appropriate data flow components

Implement dynamic package behavior by using property expressions.

Implement package logic by using variables.
This objective may include but is not limited to: system variables; user variables; variable scope

Implement package configurations.

Implement auditing, logging, and event handling.
This objective may include but is not limited to: use system variables for auditing; use event handlers; propagate events; use log providers; data profiling

Extend SSIS packages by using .NET code.
This objective may include but is not limited to: use the script task; use the script component; use custom assemblies

Configuring, Deploying, and Maintaining SSIS (15 percent)

Install and maintain SSIS components.
This objective may include but is not limited to: implement disaster recovery for SSIS

Deploy an SSIS solution.
This objective may include but is not limited to: deploy SSIS packages by using DTUTIL; deploy SSIS packages by using the deployment utility; deploy SSIS packages to SQL or file system locations

Manage SSIS package execution.
This objective may include but is not limited to: schedule package execution by using SQL Server Agent; execute packages by using DTEXEC; execute packages by using SQL Server Management Studio; execute packages by using the SSIS .NET API

Configure SSIS security settings.
This objective may include but is not limited to: MSDB database roles; package protection levels

Identify and resolve issues related to SSIS solution deployment.
This objective may include but is not limited to: validate deployed packages; deploy packages and dependencies between servers

Implementing an SSAS Solution (21 percent)

Implement dimensions in a cube.
This objective may include but is not limited to: translations; attribute relations; hierarchies

Implement measures in a cube.
This objective may include but is not limited to: measure groups

Implement a data source view.
This objective may include but is not limited to: named calculations; named queries

Configure dimension usage in a cube.
This objective may include but is not limited to: implement reference dimensions; implement many to many relationships; implement fact relationships; implement role-playing relationships; define granularity

Implement custom logic in a cube by using MDX.
This objective may include but is not limited to: actions; key performance indicators (KPI); calculated members; calculations

Implement data mining.
This objective may include but is not limited to: implement data mining structures and models; query data mining structures by using DMX; data mining views

Implement storage design in a cube.
This objective may include but is not limited to: aggregations; partitions; storage modes; proactive caching

Configuring, Deploying, and Maintaining SSAS (17 percent)

Configure permissions and roles in SSAS.
This objective may include but is not limited to: server roles; SSAS database roles; cube roles; enable client application access; implement custom access to data

Deploy SSAS databases and objects.
This objective may include but is not limited to: Deployment Wizard; BIDS; SSMS; SSIS Analysis Services Execute DDL task

Install and maintain an SSAS instance.
This objective may include but is not limited to: disaster recovery

Diagnose and resolve performance issues.
This objective may include but is not limited to: use SQL Profiler; performance monitor counters; DMVs; Usage Based Optimization Wizard

Implement processing options.

Implementing an SSRS Solution (17 percent)

Implement report data sources and datasets.
This objective may include but is not limited to: query types; dynamic data sources; filter location (dataset vs. query)

Implement a report layout.
This objective may include but is not limited to: apply conditional formatting; page configuration; headers and footers

Extend an SSRS solution by using code.
This objective may include but is not limited to: custom .NET assembly; private code

Create an SSRS report by using an SSAS data source.
This objective may include but is not limited to: MDX in an SSRS report; DMX in an SSRS report

Implement report parameters.
This objective may include but is not limited to: databound parameters; multi-value parameters

Implement interactivity in a report.
This objective may include but is not limited to: drilldown; drillthrough; interactive sorting

Implement report items.
This objective may include but is not limited to: matrix; table; chart; image; list; grouping

Embed SSRS reports in custom applications.
This objective may include but is not limited to: use the Windows Forms Report Viewer; use the Web Forms Report Viewer; use the SSRS Web service

Configuring, Deploying, and Maintaining SSRS (13 percent)

Configure report execution and delivery.
This objective may include but is not limited to: subscriptions; report caching; schedules; snapshot history

Install and configure SSRS instances.
This objective may include but is not limited to: deploy an SSRS Web farm

Configure authentication and authorization for a reporting solution.
This objective may include but is not limited to: configure server-level and item-level role-based security; configure Windows authentication and custom authentication

Deploy an SSRS solution.
This objective may include but is not limited to: RS.exe scripts; Report Builder; BIDS

Configure SSRS availability.
This objective may include but is not limited to: key management; migrate SSRS databases

Note This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format.

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