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OLAP stands for online analytical processing. In a typical OLAP data warehouse, there is an OLAP server that stores data and a client tool that users can utilize to perform analysis of the stored data. The multidimensional storage format is very different from the relational data storage that you are used to. It ensures that the proper relations are built between database entities, and it formats the data in a way that is easy and efficient to analyze.
SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services is Microsoft’s powerful OLAP data warehouse solution architecture that you can use to provide real-time corporate performance analysis.
Before we go over the development of the OLAP solution, let’s take a quick walk through its installation and identify its key features. This chapter does not turn you into an Analysis Services expert. To obtain a much deeper insight into the technology, you may want to read Professional SQL Server 2000 Data Warehousing with Analysis Services.
This section focuses on the installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services.
Table 9-1 is a list of all the hardware requirements for the installation of SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services.
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Hardware Component |
Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
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Processor |
Type: |
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Speed: |
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Memory |
64MB |
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Disk Storage |
Server: |
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Client: The full installation of client components requires 12MB. |
Table 9-2 is a list of all the software requirements for the installation of SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services.
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Software Component |
Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
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System Software |
Server: |
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Client: |
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Other Software |
Internet Explorer 5+ is a required component for the administration of the server. Install this software on the client or server from which you would want to manage the OLAP server. |
Analysis Services comes with several modularized components. This provides you with the flexibility of installing only the components that you want to work with. Table 9-3 is a list of the components that can be installed.
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Component to Install |
Component Type |
Component Storage Requirement |
Description of Component |
|---|---|---|---|
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SQL Server 2000 Analysis Server |
Server component |
34140KB |
A group of executables and other files that make up the Analysis Services Server. It is only installed on the server machine and is required for an OLAP solution. |
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SQL Server 2000 Analysis Manager |
Client-server component |
35304KB |
A group of files that provides the developer with an intuitive GUI for manipulating and administering objects on the Analysis Server. This component can be installed on the server, the client, or both. Microsoft also provides a web-based administration tool for remote administration. |
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Decision Support Objects (DSO) |
Client-server component |
7128KB |
DSOs are a group of COM+-based components that have very sophisticated object models for the purpose of custom server administration and management of metadata processes. |
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PivotTable Service |
Client component |
9776KB |
The PivotTable Service installs the OLEDB Provider for analysis services (MSOLAP) and ADO MD (ActiveX Data Objects Multidimensional) that provide all the means of communication between the database server and the client applications. The OLEDB Provider for Analysis Services is the component used in the .NET Framework to access OLAP databases. |
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Sample Applications |
Client component |
2772KB |
Sample applications that demonstrate the use of Analysis Services. For our case study, we will use the sample FoodMart 2000 database. |
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Books Online |
Client-server component |
29844KB |
Books Online is a very comprehensive help file featuring a full reference to SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services. |
As you may have noticed, Analysis Services comes with a lot of components. Simply knowing what the components are and where to install them, however, does not help in performing the right installation. Next, we will walk through the installation process of Analysis Services.
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