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Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development
Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development

Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development: Learn to develop and query Analysis Services cubes and models, with a practical, step-by-step approach with this book and ebook

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Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development

Chapter 2. Installing SSAS and Preparing for Cube Development

SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is an analytical engine that can handle vast amounts of data with high performance. The server engine manages, processes, and queries the BI Semantic model (BISM). The BI semantic model consists of metadata defining the business logic and data access, and the data coming from the data sources.

This chapter will cover the following topics:

  • How to choose the correct model

  • Installing Analysis Services

  • Understanding the development toolset

  • Setting up the project environment for development

Understanding the BI semantic model architecture


Analysis Services is a foundational component of the Microsoft BI. It has the ability to host analytical models that can be used with tools, such as Excel through PivotTables. The model can either be multidimensional OLAP models or in-memory models called tabular models. This model is called the BI Semantic Model (BISM).

The BI Semantic Model is a new model that includes both the classic multidimensional model or OLAP model and the newer tabular model.

Note

For a longer description of the BI semantic model, see the following white paper: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj735264.aspx.

Also review the following blog post by the development team that includes information about the roadmap of the OLAP model: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/analysisservices/archive/2011/05/16/analysis-services-vision-amp-roadmap-update.aspx.

The OLAP model is a true multidimensional model that allows the developers to include very complex business logic into the...

Choosing the deployment mode


As you understand, the choice you make about the deployment mode is very important, it is a choice that you make during installation of the server.

So what determines the right model for you? From a user perspective, the models look the same; the user can use both of them from any of the user tools that can connect to Analysis Services. The difference between the models is mainly something that the developer gets exposed to. As you saw in the architectural diagram previously, there are some differences on the languages that you use when developing the logic and the queries.

In the multidimensional world, you use a language called MDX (Multidimensional Expressions) to query the model and to write the business logic. MDX is a hard language to learn but it is extremely powerful when you really master it.

Tip

More information on how to use MDX to query your cube will be covered in Chapter 5, QueringYour Cube, in this book.

In the tabular world, on the other hand, you...

Installing Analysis Services 2012 in multidimensional mode


Now the time has come to really get started with the development, and in order to do this you first need to install Analysis Services. In order to do this, you need to ensure that you have a server that meets the prerequisites. As you can see in the following table, they are pretty modest when it comes to hardware. However, these are the minimum recommendations for production solutions. You need to ensure that you have a server that is powerful enough to meet the demands of your users.

Tip

Many hardware providers have sizing guides that can help you to choose a server that can work for your production databases. You can find one here from the hardware vendor, HP, as shown in the following link : http://h71019.www7.hp.com/ActiveAnswers/us/en/sizers/microsoft-sql-bi.html.

Hard Disk Space Requirements

345 MB

Processor Type

  • x64 Processor: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T...

Starting SQL Server Data Tools for the first time


Now everything is set for starting the development environment for SQL Server 2012. Go to the Start menu, and start the SQL Server Data Tools. It is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is used when building all Business Intelligence projects in SQL Server 2012, and is built on top of Visual Studio 2010.

The first time you start the IDE, you have to choose the look and feel of the tool; since you are going to develop cubes, you should choose Business Intelligence Settings.

Choosing the correct project


Now that the IDE has started, you can start getting accustomed to it. Just as in Visual Studio, SQL Server Data Tools works with solutions and projects. A project is a group of source code files that are deployed together to the target. A solution is a group of projects that you want to handle together.

Depending on what you are developing you are working with different kinds of projects. In the tool you have several project templates with different targets, there are Reporting Services and Integration Services project templates used when developing ETL packages and reports. Then there is an Analysis Services section containing the different project templates that you can use.

There are two different project types for the multidimensional model: one where you create a model from scratch, and one that imports a cube and dimensions from an existing Analysis Services server. The Import from Server (Multidimensional and Data Mining) project type can be used if you...

Navigating the project environment


When you are working in SQL Server Development Tools, you are working locally in an offline mode. This means that you are only making changes to your local source files, and not to the server. This is something that can be confusing if you have not worked in an IDE such as Visual Studio before.

One thing that you also need to be aware of is that the IDE is dynamic, meaning that it looks different depending on what project template you have opened. If you have created a project of a different type, it will have content relevant to that project type in all the windows.

Let us go through some of the key aspects of the development environment.

Solution Explorer

An important part of the IDE is the Solution Explorer that contains a folder structure local to your project; in this structure you will find the different source code files organized into sections. As you can see in the screenshot, you have a folder for the different data sources, one for the cubes and...

Hands-on steps for configuring your cube project


To configure the cube project for deployment follow the given steps:

  1. Click on the Properties button in the Server Explorer window.

  2. Under Build, specify that you are targeting a Developer Edition deployment server.

  3. Under Deployment, set the target server as follows: localhost\multidimensional.

  4. Click on OK.

  5. Save the project.

  6. Go to the Build menu and choose to deploy the project; this will send a series of commands to the Analysis Services instance that you have specified under the Target | Server.

  7. Open up Management Studio and connect to the Analysis Services instance that you used as the target server.

  8. Click on the Databases folder and make sure that you have an Analysis Services database called FirstCube on your server.

Now we have configured the development environment for project mode development. There is another way that you can develop as well, and that is in online mode. This is something that is rarely used, but it can sometimes be useful when...

Summary


Analysis Services is a very flexible engine that can be used to host both in-memory models called tabular models and multidimensional models. Depending on what mode you choose, you will get different capabilities and features. You have got your first look into the development environment used to create Analysis Services' multidimensional cubes, and deployed your first Analysis Services database to the server. In the next chapter, we will continue the FirstCube project, connect it to a database, and start creating the first cube, dimensions, and measures.

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Key benefits

  • Learn how to develop a complete business intelligence solution using SQL Server 2012
  • Understand the difference between tabular in-memory models and OLAP cubes, and which to use where and when
  • Add advanced features such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and calculated measures to your business intelligence model
  • Understand the use of cubes in a modern business intelligence solution
  • Go from a complete beginner to a developer who can build real-world projects through the use of easy step-by-step examples

Description

Analysis Services have been the number one OLAP engine for years. With the increased focus on business intelligence solutions, there is a shortage of professionals in this area. Start your journey into becoming a BI developer using the popular tools included in every SQL Server installation. Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development teaches you through clear step-by-step exercises to create business intelligence solutions using Analysis Services. The knowledge gained through these practical examples can immediately be applied to your real-world problems. Getting Started with SQL Server 2012 Cube Development begins with an introduction to business intelligence and Analysis Services, the world's most-used cube engine. Guiding you through easy-to-understand examples to become a cube developer. Learn how to create a cube including all the advanced features such as KPIs, calculated measures, and time intelligence. Security and performance tuning will also be explored. You will learn how to perform and automate core tasks like deployment and processing. The main focus is on multidimensional cubes, but the creation of in-memory models will also be covered. You will learn everything you need to get started with cube development using SQL Server 2012.

Who is this book for?

Written for SQL Server developers who have not previously worked with Analysis Services. It is assumed that you have experience with relational databases, but no prior knowledge of cube development is required. You need SQL Server 2012 in order to follow along with the exercises in this book.

What you will learn

  • Choose the correct model for solving your business problem
  • Set up Analysis Services and the development environment
  • Create user friendly dimensions and cubes
  • Automate cube processing and deployment
  • Query cubes using standard tools like Excel and Reporting Services
  • Add advanced functionality such as KPIs and calculations
  • Secure your business intelligence solutions
  • Performance tune your cube through the use of aggregations
  • Create tabular in-memory models
  • Understand business intelligence architecture
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Publication date : Sep 13, 2013
Length: 288 pages
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Language : English
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Table of Contents

10 Chapters
Self-service Business Intelligence, Creating Value from Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Installing SSAS and Preparing for Cube Development Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating Your First Multidimensional Cube Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Deploying and Processing Cubes Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Querying Your Cube Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adding Functionality to Your Cube Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Securing Your Cube Project Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Using Aggregations to Performance Optimize a Cube Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
In-memory, the Future Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Cubes in the Larger Context Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.2
(11 Ratings)
5 star 45.5%
4 star 45.5%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 9.1%
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Pardeep Dhull Jan 11, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
One of the rare books I have seen on BI stack - simplistic and holistic in one book.Lots of visual's that really helps in relating the data to its processing. Would recommend this not only to BI folks but to OLTP folks too - to understand the behind the scenes processing n concepts.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Mikael Colliander Jan 27, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This is the must have book for those how are starting their journey of cube development using SQL Server Analysis Services as platform. At the very beginning the reader will learn how to prepare and install Analysis server continuing with the basics how to build and query their own cube. In the later chapter’s one will learn more advanced concepts of cube development like aggregations, KPI, advanced calculations, security, and perspectives. Lastly the author will describe how the cube integrates with the full Microsoft BI stack which puts the cube in the larger context, teach the reader how to integrate with the cube using Excel, PowerPivot, PowerView and Sharepoint Services.All along the book the author leave pointers and links for further more in-depth Reading./MC
Amazon Verified review Amazon
KAPETAS ATHANASIOS PANTELIS May 21, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Very good book to start
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Kalle Becker Dec 02, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
I'm and old SharePoint guy - this book helped me get a flying start into the BI part of the Microsoft platform! Easy to understand!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Wayne Jan 19, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is an excellent resource for those who are starting their SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) journey. This is like a boot camp where you are given the relevant information to begin the journey of SSAS developer and/or administrator.The book guides you through the complete install of SSAS and covers both multidimensional and tabular modes. I would have like to seen extra pages on the modeling aspect of the 3nf/Star Schema's.If you want to quickly grasp the fundamentals that give you the foundation to take your skill sets further, then this is one those books to purchase
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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