YOU’VE JUST STARTED AS A DBA AT A COMPANY THAT HAS RECENTLY INSTALL...

1. You’ve just started as a DBA at a company that has recently installed a

dedicated server running both a SQL Server 2008 default instance and the

database for the company’s ERP system. You want to implement a process to

test the database with new SQL Server patches and service packs before they

are applied to the live database. There is no budget to buy any new servers, but

the existing hardware is under-utilized and you’re confident it will suffice for

your short-term needs. Which of these options would meet your needs?

A. Restore a copy of the live database as test on to its own disk array. Apply

patches and service packs to the new database and test them before

applying them to the live database.

B. Install a named instance for testing. Create a database snapshot on the

named instance pointing to the live database on the default instance. Apply

patches and service packs to the named instance and test before applying

them to the default instance.

C. Install another default instance for testing and restore a copy of the live

database. Apply patches and service packs to the second instance and test

before applying them to the live instance.

D. Install a named instance for testing and restore a copy of the live database.

Apply patches and service packs to the named instance and test before

applying them to the default instance.

Correct Answer & Explanation: D. SQL Server patches and service packs are

applied at the instance level. Having a separate instance with a copy of the live

database is the only way to achieve the requirements.

Incorrect Answers & Explanations: A, B, C. Answer A is incorrect because you

cannot apply service packs and patches to individual databases. Answer B is

incorrect because you cannot create a database snapshot between instances.

You have to restore a copy of the database onto the instance. Answer C is

incorrect because you can only have one default instance.