416
SQL Server 2012 Upgrade Technical Guide
that point, you can rename the virtual directories you created for SSRS 2012 to use the
names originally configured for SSRS 2005, SSRS 2008, or SSRS 2008 R2. End users and
applications that reference the report server can then continue to use the original URLs
and connection information as opposed to the virtual directory names you assigned to
SSRS 2012 for upgrade purposes.
For more information, see Section 14.7.5 “Uninstalling SSRS 2000, SSRS 2005, or SSRS
2008” in Chapter 14 of the
SQL Server 2008 R2 Upgrade Technical Reference Guide
(http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/0/D/30DB8D46-8ACF-442A-99A2-
0F4CE74AE14D/SQL_Server_2008_R2_Upgrade_Technical_Reference_Guide.docx).
Conclusion
The key to a successful SSRS upgrade is a detailed, well-thought-out upgrade plan,
including a review of possible upgrade issues and a rollback strategy in case of a failed
upgrade. In planning for a rollback, you should include backups of at least the
following elements:
Databases, applications, and configuration files
The Reporting Services encryption key
Customized IIS configuration files
Customized extensions and assemblies folder
Use Upgrade Advisor to help discover blocking issues related to SSRS. And determine
the appropriate upgrade method for your organization and configuration. This chapter
discusses several advantages and disadvantages of using each method for upgrading
SSRS. For example, the side-by-side method is easy to roll back because your original
instance remains intact, whereas an in-place upgrade might be faster, but you would
have to restore the previous instance in case of a failed upgrade.
By following the preparation guidance and upgrade steps in this chapter, you should
have a smooth transition to SSRS 2012.
Additional References
For an up-to-date collection of additional references for upgrading SQL Server 2012,
see the following links:
SQL Server 2012
Reporting Web Site
(http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/solutions-technologies/business-
intelligence/reporting-services.aspx)
417
SQL Server 2012 Upgrade Technical Guide
SQL Server 2012 Web Site
(http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/default.aspx)
Books Online for SQL Server 2012
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms130214(v=sql.110).aspx)
SQL Server MSDN Resources
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver)
SQL Server TechCenter
(http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver)
418
SQL Server 2012 Upgrade Technical Guide
Chapter 19: Data Mining
Introduction
Data mining is one of the most powerful analytical tools in the SQL Server Business
Intelligence (BI) suite. Data mining was first introduced as part of SQL Server 2000
Analysis Services (SSAS 2000), the database platform’s OLAP and BI component.
Although it was SQL Server’s first foray into advanced data mining analysis, SSAS 2000
supported two of the most popular algorithms—Decision Trees and Clustering. In SQL
Server 2005, Microsoft completely rewrote the BI suite. With the debut of the Unified
Dimensional Model (UDM) for OLAP, data mining in SSAS 2005 entered the enterprise-
level analytical market. In SQL Server 2005, data mining is a mature product, featuring
all the popular algorithms. One of the most important advantages of data mining with
SSAS 2005 is ease of use and integration with other parts of the BI suite and business
applications. With the introduction of the Microsoft Office 2007 Data Mining Add-Ins,
SQL Server’s data mining functionality reached from developers, database
professionals, and advanced business analysts to end users.
The data mining success story continues in SSAS 2008 and SSAS 2008 R2. Using the
foundation that SSAS 2005 laid, Microsoft enhanced data mining in SSAS 2008, adding
new features and improving existing functionality. In SSAS 2008 R2 and SSAS 2012,
Microsoft focused on other parts of the BI suite, especially on the Business Intelligence
Semantics Model (BISM), and therefore data mining does not differ from SSAS 2008.
There are behavior and even breaking changes that you need to consider before
upgrading SQL Server 2005, 2008, or 2008 R2 to SQL Server 2012. There is a new
developer’s tool, SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), that replaces Business Intelligence
Development Studio (BIDS). You can install SSAS 2012 in Tabular or Multidimensional
mode; data mining is included in Multidimensional mode only. In addition to covering
those changes, this chapter discusses the key steps you must take to prepare for and
perform a successful upgrade—as well as important post-upgrade tasks. We have also
collected references to the most essential data mining upgrade resources, including the
following:
For details about data mining functionality in SSAS 2012, see
Data Mining (SSAS)
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb510516(SQL.110).aspx) in SQL
Server 2012 Books Online.
For additional SQL Server
data mining information, see the
Data Mining forum
(http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqldatamining/threads).