DURATION
5 Days
Introduction
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, implement, and deploy OLAP solutions by using Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services.
At Course Completion
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Define the term OLAP and its role within data warehousing.
Design multidimensional data marts by using star and snowflake schemas.
Recognize the fundamental components of a cube.
Understand the architecture of Analysis Services.
Create dimensions from relational dimension tables.
Understand the many types of dimensions.
Utilize various dimension properties and settings.
Design OLAP dimensions based on underlying source data.
Create cubes by using the Cube Wizard and Cube Editor.
Create and manipulate measures.
Develop and understand virtual cubes.
Design cube storage and aggregations.
Update dimensions and cubes when source data changes.
Optimize the processing of dimensions and cubes.
Create partitions within cubes.
Implement simple calculations by using multidimensional expressions (MDX) and calculated members.
Use Microsoft Excel 2000 as an OLAP front-end application.
Understand how data mining fits within OLAP and the Microsoft data warehousing framework.
Employ actions, drillthrough, and writeback for data analysis.
Design and implement cube and dimension security.
Automate the processing of dimensions and cubes through Data Transformation Services (DTS).
Create cubes and virtual cubes based on end-user requirements.
Microsoft Certification exams
This course will help the student prepare for the following Microsoft Certified Professional exam:
There is no MCP exam associated with this course
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:
A basic understanding of database design, administration, and implementation concepts.
A satisfactory level of comfort within the Microsoft Windows 2000 environment.
Course Materials
The course materials are yours to keep.
The following software is provided for use in the classroom:
Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Microsoft Excel 2000
Module 1: Introduction to Data Warehousing and OLAP
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing Data Warehousing
Defining OLAP Solutions
Understanding Data Warehouse Design
Understanding OLAP Models
Applying OLAP Cubes
At the end of this module, you will be able to explain the basic design of an OLAP solution. This includes:
Describing characteristics, goals, and applications of a data warehouse.
Understanding the need and use for OLAP solutions.
Describing data warehouse design.
Understanding the reasons for implementing OLAP models and describing their components.
Visualizing a multidimensional database.
Module 2: Introducing Analysis Manager Wizards
The following topics are covered in this module:
Defining Terms
Previewing Analysis Manager
Preparing to Create a Cube
Building the Sales Cube
Processing the Cube
Viewing the Results
At the end of this module, you will be able to use the Analysis Manager tools to create and process a cube. This includes:
Describing Analysis Services components.
Navigating through the basic interfaces of Analysis Manager.
Preparing to create a cube by reviewing data sources and initiating the Cube Wizard.
Creating an OLAP cube by using the Cube and Dimension Wizards.
Processing a cube.
Browsing the cube data and metadata by using the Analysis Manager browser.
Module 3: Understanding Analysis Services Architecture
The following topics are covered in this module:
Overview
Microsoft Data Warehousing Overview
Analysis Services Components
Metadata Repository
Cube Storage Options
Client Architecture
Office 2000 OLAP Components
At the end of this module, you will be able to explain the integration and interaction of the Analysis Services components. This includes:
Describing the components of the Microsoft data warehouse strategy.
Understanding the Analysis Services components.
Describing the function of the Microsoft Metadata Repository.
Explaining the basic differences between the three storage modes for OLAP cubes-multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP), relational OLAP (ROLAP), and hybrid OLAP (HOLAP).
Understanding client architecture and the role of the Microsoft PivotTable Service.
Recognizing Microsoft Office 2000 OLAP capabilities.
Module 4: Building Dimensions Using the Dimension Editor
The following topics are covered in this module:
Understanding Dimension Basics
Shared vs. Private Dimensions
Working with Standard Dimensions
Basic Level Properties
Working with Parent-Child Dimensions
At the end of this module, you will be able to build dimensions by using the Dimension Editor. This includes:
Understanding dimension fundamentals.
Knowing when to use shared and private dimensions.
Describing the characteristics of standard dimensions.
Adding level properties to dimensions.
Developing parent-child dimensions.
Module 5: Using Advanced Dimension Settings
The following topics are covered in this module:
Working with Levels and Hierarchies
Working with Time Dimensions
Creating Custom Rollups
Introducing Member Properties
Understanding Virtual Dimensions
At the end of this module, you will be able to use various advanced dimension settings and methods to develop OLAP dimensions and cubes. This includes:
Working with dimension levels and hierarchies.
Understanding and working with time dimensions.
Creating custom rollup dimensions.
Defining member properties at dimension levels.
Creating virtual dimensions from member properties and member levels.
Module 6: Working with Cubes and Measures
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introduction to Cubes
Working with Cubes
Introduction to Measures
Working with Measures
Defining Cube Properties
Using the Disabled Property
At the end of this module, you will be able to use the Cube Editor to create and manipulate cubes, add measures and dimensions, and assign properties to improve cubes. This includes:
Defining the required components of cubes.
Creating cubes by using the Cube Editor.
Describing the characteristics of measures.
Assigning properties to measures.
Modifying cube properties by using the Cube Editor.
Disabling levels of shared dimensions.
Module 7: Case Study - Creating the Store Expense Cube
The following topics are covered in this module:
Building the Store Expense Cube
Updating the Store Expense Cube
At the end of this module, you will be able to create a preliminary cube and make changes to the cube by applying dimension and level properties. This includes:
Creating a cube based on user requirements.
Updating dimensions and adding new dimensions to a cube.
Module 8: Managing Storage and Optimization
The following topics are covered in this module:
Analysis Server Cube Storage
The Storage Design Wizard
Analysis Server Aggregations
Usage-Based Optimization
Optimization Tuning
At the end of this module, you will be able to make choices of storage options and optimizations for OLAP cubes. This includes:
Explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the three data storage models.
Using the Storage Design Wizard to set storage design.
Describing how aggregations work and designing aggregations for cubes.
Describing the concepts and mechanics of usage-based optimization.
Overriding aggregation settings per dimension.
Module 9: Processing Dimensions and Cubes
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing Dimension and Cube Processing
Processing Dimensions
Processing Cubes
Optimizing Cube Processing
Troubleshooting Cube Processing
At the end of this module, you will be able to manage dimension and cube processing. This includes:
Understanding the difference between OLAP schema and data.
Processing dimensions.
Performing the three types of cube processes.
Obtimizing cube processing.
Troubleshooting cube processing.
Module 10: Managing Partitions
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing Partitions
Creating Partitions
Using Advanced Settings
Merging Partitions
At the end of this module, you will be able to use partitions to improve both processing and query performance. This includes:
Explaining the benefits of partitioning.
Describing the mechanics of the Partition Wizard
Explaining when to define slices and when to define filters.
Describing the purpose and mechanics of merging partitions.
Module 11: Implementing Calculations Using MDX
The following topics are covered in this module:
Understanding Calculated Members
Building Calculated Members
Creating Non-Measure Calculated Members
Using Functions Within Calculated Members
Understanding Other Calculation Methods
Introducing Solve Order
At the end of this module, you will be able to begin working with calculated members and multidimensional expressions (MDX). This includes:
Describing how calculated members work.
Explaining the mechanics of the Calculated Member Builder and creating calculated members.
Creating calculated members in non-Measure dimensions.
Understanding the use of functions in calculated members.
Understanding other calculation methods in Analysis Services.
Understanding the importance of Solve Order to generate accurate results.
Module 12: Working with Virtual Cubes
The following topics are covered in this module:
Understanding Virtual Cubes
Obtaining Logical Results
Building a Virtual Cube
Creating Calculated Members
At the end of this module, you will be able to build and use virtual cubes. This includes:
Understanding when to use virtual cubes and knowing their benefits.
Knowing the rules for constructing meaningful virtual cubes.
Building virtual cubes by using the Virtual Cube Wizard.
Defining calculated members in virtual cubes by using the Calculated Member Builder.
Module 13: Using Excel as an OLAP Client
The following topics are covered in this module:
Office 2000 OLAP Components
Using Excel PivotTables
Using PivotCharts
Working with Local Cubes
Creating OLAP-Enabled Web Pages
At the end of this module, you will be able to use various Office 2000 OLAP features. This includes:
Understanding the various Microsoft Office 2000 OLAP features.
Creating a PivotTable from an OLAP cube.
Creating PivotCharts
Creating local cube files
Creating a Web page containing Pivot Web components.
Module 14: Using Actions, Drillthrough, and Writeback
The following topics are covered in this module:
Creating Actions
Performing Drillthrough
Understanding Writeback
At the end of this module, you will be able to use these three features to add layers of analysis to OLAP applications. This includes:
Creating and viewing actions.
Implementing and testing drillthrough.
Understanding the applications for cube writeback.
Module 15: Implementing Security
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing Analysis Services Security
Understanding Administrator Security
Helping Protect User Authentication
Understanding Database Roles
Implementing Dimension Security
Managing Cube Roles
At the end of this module, you will be able to implement security in Analysis Services. This includes:
Understanding the uses of security in Analysis Services.
Explaining adminstrator security.
Describing authentication methods.
Assigning database roles.
Applying dimension security.
Managing cube roles.
Module 16: Deploying an OLAP Solution
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing DTS
Executing and Scheduling Packages
The Analysis Services Processing Task
Copying and Archiving OLAP Databases
At the end of this module, you will be able to automate various steps in the deployment of an OLAP solution. This includes:
Describing the role of Data Transformation Services (DTS).
Creating a DTS package.
Defining an Analysis Services processing task.
Copying, archiving, and restoring OLAP databases.
Module 17: Introduction to Data Mining
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introducing Data Mining
Training a Data Mining Model
Building a Data Mining Model with OLAP Data
Browsing the Dependency Network
At the end of this module, you will be able to explain and use simple data mining techniques. This includes:
Describing data mining characteristics, applications, and modeling techniques.
Describing the process of training a model.
Using the OLAP Mining Model Wizard to edit, process, and explore the decision trees.
Analyzing relational data relationships in the dependency network browser.
Describing the steps required to build a clustering model by using OLAP data.
Module 18: Case Study - Working with the Foodmart Database
The following topics are covered in this module:
Building the Warehouse Cube
Building the Sales Cube
Building the Warehouse and Sales Virtual Cube
At the end of this module, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to create a preliminary cube and then make changes to it by applying dimension and level properties. This includes:
Creating a cube based on user requirements.
Creating another cube with different dimensions and measures.
Building a virtual cube.
Programme scope, delivery arrangements and suitability are confirmed during enquiry.