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Tabular Modeling with SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services Cookbook
Tabular Modeling with SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services Cookbook

Tabular Modeling with SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services Cookbook: Create better operational analytics for your users with these business solutions

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Tabular Modeling with SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services Cookbook

Chapter 2. Setting up a Tabular Mode Environment

In this chapter, we will cover the following recipes:

  • Installing and configuring a development environment
  • Installing Visual Studio 2015
  • Installing SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)
  • Configuring a workspace server
  • Configuring SSAS project properties

Introduction

This chapter will show you how to install and configure SQL Server Analysis Services in tabular mode on a Windows Server 2012 R2. At the end of this chapter, you will have a server set up and configured to leverage for a development environment. As part of the installation, you will install the SQL Database engine to be used later as a data source for the tabular model. Once installed, you will set up the development software on the same server that will allow you to create models. Finally, you will create a project and learn how to configure the workspace server and project settings that allow you to deploy the project to a server.

This setup assumes you have the operating system installed and running with an account with administrator privileges. On this server is where you will begin to learn how tabular mode works, how to interact with data in the model, and how to set up deployment options.

Installing and configuring a development environment

Getting ready

Create a virtual machine running Windows Server 2012 R2 with important updates installed. You can download and install SQL Server Developer Edition for free from Microsoft. Also, make sure you have an account set up with administrative privileges that you will use for the installation and configuration of SQL Server 2016 tabular mode. In my examples, I have a user named Admin set up as a local administrator.

How to do it...

  1. Launch SQL Server Developer Edition from your virtual machine drive to begin the installation process in the SQL Server Installation Center window.

    How to do it...

  2. Select Installation to bring up the options for installing components. Then choose New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.

    How to do it...

  3. The next screen is where you enter your product key if you have one. Since we are using the developer edition, no product key is needed. Click Next.

    How to do it...

  4. Next you need to review and accept the license...

Installing Visual Studio 2015

Visual Studio 2015 is the base software that you will use to leverage the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) components. SSDT contains the templates that you use to design and develop your Tabular Models. If you already have Visual Studio installed then you can install SSDT with Visual Studio. To continue with your development environment setup, this recipe will show you how to install Visual Studio and the basic database components of SSDT together. The base components of SSDT only install the SQL Server Database template.

Getting ready

Login to the development server with your local Admin account. Then download the free Visual Studio Community edition at https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-community-vs.aspx.

Once completed, open the file to begin installation.

How to do it...

  1. Select the Custom radio button to select the features required for SSDT. Then click Next.

    How to do it...

  2. Once you reach the Select Features window, select Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools...

Installing SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)

Once Visual Studio is installed the next step is to add SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). SSDT is the environment that you will use to create your tabular model. You will use it to import your data, design your model, add DAX calculations, and finally deploy your model to the server.

Getting ready

Once Visual Studio is installed, you can now install the remaining pieces of SSDT. This recipe shows the steps required to install the templates for Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Integration Services.

How to do it...

  1. From the SQL Server installation disk, select the installation tab and then click on Install SQL Server Data Tools to open a web browser with the link to download the software.

    How to do it...

  2. Select Download SQL Server Data Tools for Visual Studio 2015! and save the file. On the next screen select your language to install and run the SSDTSetup.exe program.

    How to do it...

  3. On the next window you can select which features of SSDT to install. In this case, keep them all...

Interacting with SQL Server Data Tools

After the installation of Visual Studio and SSDT you will need to set up your environment settings. These setting are chosen the first time you start Visual Studio. However, they can be changed later in the Options section of the Tools menu. Once set, each new project will use the options selected.

Getting ready

Now that Visual Studio and SSDT have been installed, this section will review how to access SSDT and use it to create a tabular model project.

How to do it...

  1. Open Visual Studio 2015.

    How to do it...

  2. On the next screen, sign in if you have an account or select Not now, maybe later if you do not, and then select the color scheme you want to use.

    How to do it...

  3. You are now at the base screen for Visual Studio projects. Select New Project...

    How to do it...

  4. You will now be presented with the New Project window. From here expand Business Intelligence. Here you will see the choices for the features you installed. To create a new Tabular Mode project, select Analysis Services. Type Chapter2_model...

Introduction


This chapter will show you how to install and configure SQL Server Analysis Services in tabular mode on a Windows Server 2012 R2. At the end of this chapter, you will have a server set up and configured to leverage for a development environment. As part of the installation, you will install the SQL Database engine to be used later as a data source for the tabular model. Once installed, you will set up the development software on the same server that will allow you to create models. Finally, you will create a project and learn how to configure the workspace server and project settings that allow you to deploy the project to a server.

This setup assumes you have the operating system installed and running with an account with administrator privileges. On this server is where you will begin to learn how tabular mode works, how to interact with data in the model, and how to set up deployment options.

Installing and configuring a development environment


Getting ready

Create a virtual machine running Windows Server 2012 R2 with important updates installed. You can download and install SQL Server Developer Edition for free from Microsoft. Also, make sure you have an account set up with administrative privileges that you will use for the installation and configuration of SQL Server 2016 tabular mode. In my examples, I have a user named Admin set up as a local administrator.

How to do it...

  1. Launch SQL Server Developer Edition from your virtual machine drive to begin the installation process in the SQL Server Installation Center window.

  2. Select Installation to bring up the options for installing components. Then choose New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.

  3. The next screen is where you enter your product key if you have one. Since we are using the developer edition, no product key is needed. Click Next.

  4. Next you need to review and accept the license...

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Key benefits

  • Build and deploy Tabular Model projects from relational data sources
  • Leverage DAX and create high-performing calculated fields and measures
  • Create ad-hoc reports based on a Tabular Model solution
  • Useful tips to monitor and optimize your tabular solutions

Description

SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) has been widely used across multiple businesses to build smart online analytical reporting solutions. It includes two different types of modeling for analysis services: Tabular and Multi Dimensional. This book covers Tabular modeling, which uses tables and relationships with a fast in-memory engine to provide state of the art compression algorithms and query performance. The book begins by quickly taking you through the concepts required to model tabular data and set up the necessary tools and services. As you learn to create tabular models using tools such as Excel and Power View, you’ll be shown various strategies to deploy your model on the server and choose a query mode (In-memory or DirectQuery) that best suits your reporting needs. You’ll also learn how to implement key and newly introduced DAX functions to create calculated columns and measures for your model data. Last but not least, you’ll be shown techniques that will help you administer and secure your BI implementation along with some widely used tips and tricks to optimize your reporting solution. By the end of this book, you’ll have gained hands-on experience with the powerful new features that have been added to Tabular models in SSAS 2016 and you’ll be able to improve user satisfaction with faster reports and analytical queries.

Who is this book for?

This book is for SQL BI professionals and Architects who want to exploit the full power of the new Tabular models in Analysis Services. Some knowledge of previous versions of Analysis services would be helpful but is not essential.

What you will learn

  • Learn all about Tabular services mode and how it speeds up development
  • Build solutions using sample datasets
  • Explore built-in actions and transitions in SSAS 2016
  • Implement row-column, and role-based security in a Tabular Data model
  • Realize the benefits of in-memory and DirectQuery deployment modes
  • Get up to date with the new features added to SQL Server 2016 Analysis Services
  • Optimize Data Models and Relationships Usage

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jan 30, 2017
Length: 372 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781786468611
Vendor :
Microsoft
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Product Details

Publication date : Jan 30, 2017
Length: 372 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781786468611
Vendor :
Microsoft
Category :
Languages :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

11 Chapters
1. Introduction to Microsoft Analysis Services Tabular Mode Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Setting up a Tabular Mode Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Tabular Model Building Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Working in Tabular Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Administration of Tabular Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. In-Memory Versus DirectQuery Mode Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Securing Tabular Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Combining Tabular Models with Excel Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. DAX Syntax and Calculations Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Working with Dates and Time Intelligence Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Using Power BI for Analysis Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon 3.7
(3 Ratings)
5 star 66.7%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 33.3%
Loraine Aug 15, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
As described
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Charanya S Jul 31, 2019
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great book to get started with tabular modeling. Must have resource for any professional Microsoft BI designer/ developer looking to get most out of SSAS tabular modeling, DAX measures and introduction to Power BI.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Robby Jul 11, 2019
Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 1
Here's a message to Packt's genius marketing... I have purchased FAR less of your books because for some asinine reason you don't allow me to preview the book on Amazon. If I can't look at a few chapters, I ain't buying that d@nm thing.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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