Empire Data Systems

SQL Server DBA + SQL Programming + Azure SQL Training (Online)

By Daniel AG, #1 Database Trainer in USA!!! (*****)

Course Description

Our Microsoft SQL Server DBA and SQL Programming course (both on-prem and Azure Cloud) is designed to provide a complete learning pathway for anyone seeking to master SQL Server in today’s hybrid data landscape. Whether you are an aspiring database professional starting fresh or an experienced IT specialist looking to upgrade your skills, this course offers the knowledge and hands-on expertise you need. No prior experience is required, making it accessible to beginners, while the depth of topics ensures value for seasoned professionals.

The program begins with a solid foundation in database concepts and SQL programming using Transact-SQL (T-SQL). From there, you will gain practical knowledge in installing and configuring SQL Server, managing day-to-day database administration tasks, and implementing high availability and disaster recovery strategies to ensure business continuity. The course also emphasizes performance monitoring and tuning, equipping you with the skills to maintain stable, secure, and efficient database systems.

As cloud adoption continues to reshape IT, we include a dedicated module on Azure SQL, where you will learn administration techniques unique to Microsoft’s cloud platform. You will also gain hands-on experience with database migration strategies, enabling you to confidently move workloads from on-premises SQL Servers to Azure SQL while maintaining performance and data integrity.

To enhance the quality of learning, every participant receives official Microsoft courseware, including Querying Data with Transact-SQL and Administering Microsoft SQL Server Databases. These materials align with Microsoft’s certification tracks and can serve as valuable references even after the training is completed.

With over a decade of experience training thousands of students across the USA, Canada, and beyond, we are proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in SQL Server, Azure, AWS, AI, and related technologies. Based in Philadelphia, USA, our training combines structured teaching, real-world case studies, and practical labs to prepare you for real-life database management scenarios in both corporate and cloud environments.

For complete course details, schedules, and registration, please contact Daniel at +1 267 718 1533 (Mobile & Whatsapp).

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Course Information

Daniel's Profile - #1 Database Trainer in USA!!!

Daniel brings over 16 years of experience in SQL Server Administration (on-premises and Azure), SQL Programming, business intelligence development (SSAS, SSIS, SSRS, Azure Fabric, Data Factory), data visualization (Power BI), and performance tuning. His cross-industry background gives him a unique perspective on how data design, data architecture, data management, security, and system architecture come together to deliver robust enterprise solutions.

He currently serves as a Data Architect in the healthcare industry near Philadelphia, USA, while also training and mentoring database professionals worldwide. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted trainers in SQL Server, Azure Fabric, Data Engineering, Power BI, Microsoft AI, and related technologies.

Microsoft recognizes Daniel’s expertise with the following certifications:
  • Microsoft Certified SQL Server DBA
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer
  • Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)
  • MCSE in Data Management and Analytics

As a trainer, Daniel has mentored more than 3,000 students across the United States, Canada, and globally, helping professionals advance their careers in SQL Server, Azure, AWS, and AI. His teaching style blends real-world project experience with a structured, hands-on approach, making complex concepts easy to understand and immediately applicable.

Connect with Daniel at +1 267 718 1533 (Mobile & Whatsapp)

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Daniel's Technical Blog: https://empiredatasystems.com/sql-server-training-blogs.html


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Live Training Videos

We believe in letting our prospective students to watch recorded videos of our live training classes and decide for themselves. If you would still like to attend a one-on-one live demo session, please give call Daniel @ 267 718 1533 and he can schedule one for you at your convenience.

Course Content

Part 1: SQL/TSQL Programming

RDBMS Concept
  • DBMS Concept
  • RDBMS Concepts
  • ER Diagram Concepts
  • Cardinality
  • Ordinality
  • SDLC for Database design and Development
  • Normalization and De-Normalization
 SQL Server Architecture
  • SQL Server edition overview
  • Introducing the tools
  • SQL Server Management Studio
  • Managing Tables with DDL
  • RDBMS Concepts
  • Cardinality
  • Ordinality
 Creating schemas
  • Managing schemas
  • Referencing schemas versus using the default schema
  • Hiding schemas with synonyms
  • Building tables
 Selecting appropriate data types
  • Constructing tables with CREATE TABLE
  • Different data types and what is the internal difference
  • Importance of selecting proper data types
  • Data types and performance
Adding constraints
  • Not Null
  • Primary Key
  • Foreign key
  • Unique
  • Check
  • Default
  • Candidate Key
  • Alternate Key
  • Natural Key
  • Surrogate Key
 Implementing various types of joins
  • Inner joins
  • Cross joins
  • Left, right and full outer joins
  • Equijoins
  • The performance implications of joins
  • Adding filter conditions to outer joins
  • Writing self joins
  • Join algorithms(hash join, loop join and merge join)
 Joining a table to itself
  • Chaining self joins
  • Solving time-interval problems
 Combining queries with set operators
  • UNION
  • UNION ALL
  • INTERSECT
  • EXCEPT
Scalar and Aggregate Functions
  • Taking advantage of scalar functions
  • Converting data types
  • Handling dates
  • Manipulating strings
  • Choosing the right function for the job
 Summarizing data with aggregate functions
  • COUNT
  • SUM
  • AVG
  • Equijoins
  • MIN
  • MAX
  • Managing NULLs
  • Suppressing duplicates
 Grouping data
  • GROUP BY and GROUPING SETS
  • Applying conditions with HAVING
  • Calculating moving averages
 Extending group queries
  • Nesting grouped aggregates
  • Joins and grouping
  • Introducing subtotals with CUBE and ROLLUP
Building crosstab reports
  • Using CASE to turn rows into columns
  • Applying PIVOT and UNPIVOT
 Declaring variables and parameters
  • Creating and utilizing local variables
  • Passing input and output parameters
  • Interrogating global variables
 Calling built-in scalar functions
  • Converting data using CAST and CONVERT
  • Ordering data with ranking functions
 Performing Extensive Analysis with Analytic Functions
  • The OVER clause
  • Specifying the ordering before applying the function
  • Splitting the result set into logical partitions
RANK Function
  • RANK and DENSE_RANK
  • ROW_NUMBER with ordered sets
 Extending the use of aggregates
  • Partitioning in multiple levels
  • Computing running totals
  • Comparing row and aggregate values
 Building Sub-queries
  • Simple sub-queries
  • Sub-queries in conditions and column expressions
  • Creating multilevel sub-queries
  • Avoiding problems when sub-queries return NULLs
  • Handling multi row sub-query results
 Correlated sub-queries
  • Accessing values from the outer query
  • EXISTS vs. IN
  • Identifying duplicates
  • Avoiding accidental correlation
Common table expressions (CTE)
  • Reusable sub-queries
  • Recursive sub-queries
  • Traversing hierarchies
 PIVOT/UNPIVOT
  • Importance of pivoting
  • How to pivot data
 Derived Tables
  • Derived table in FROM clause
  • Derived table in JOIN clause
 Maintaining Data
  • Modifying data
  • Inserting, updating and deleting data
Transaction
  • ACID properties
  • Ensuring data consistency with transactions and distributed transactions
  • Isolation levels
  • Begin Transaction
  • Commit Transaction
  • Save point
  • Phantom rows
  • Non repeatable reads
  • Dirty Reads
  • Dealing with open transactions when an exception occurs
 SQL Server locking fundamentals
  • Avoiding blocking problems with read-committed snapshot isolation
  • Managing locks using hints
 Programming procedural statements
  • Implementing conditions with IF...ELSE
  • Looping with WHILE and GOTO
  • Creating code blocks with BEGIN...END
  • Debugging with PRINT
  • Returning data using RETURN
  • Debugging T-SQL in Management Studio
 Handling errors
  • Communicating problems to the client with RAISERROR
  • Intercepting errors with TRY...CATCH
  • Dealing with open transactions when an exception occurs
Producing server-side result sets
  • Building and using temporary tables
  • Processing rows on the server with a cursor
  • Taking advantage of table variables
 Views
  • Storing queries on the server
  • Concealing complexity with views
  • Indexed views
  • Partitioned views
  • Taking advantage of schema binding
  • View encryption
 Functions
  • Scalar Function
  • In-Line table value function
  • Multi-statement table-valued function
  • Creating user-defined functions
  • Calculating values with scalar functions
  • Processing multiple rows returned from a table-valued function
  • Taking advantage of schema binding
  • Function encryption
 Triggers
  • INSTEAD OF vs. AFTER triggers
  • Detecting row changes using the inserted and deleted tables
  • Tracking metadata changes with DDL triggers
  • Auditing user access using a LOGON trigger
  • Tracking data changes with the OUTPUT clause
  • Track column changes using UPDATE function
Stored Procedures
  • Batch and stored procedure processing
  • Minimizing network traffic using batches and procedures
  • Stored procedure compilation and execution
  • Using scalar functions
  • Table value parameters
  • Querying Multiple Tables
 Temporary Tables
  • Create local temporary tables
  • Create global temporary tables
  • Table value parameter
  • Table variables
  • Common table expression (CTE)
  • Derived Tables

Part 2: Database Administration

SQL Server Installation and Features
  • Installing SQL Server
  • Choosing installation options
  • Upgrading from previous versions
  • Applying a service pack
 Storage Architecture & data redundancy
  • LAN
  • SAN
  • NAS
  • LUN
  • RAID 0
  • RAID 1
  • RAID 5
  • RAID 10
  • Fiber Channel Network
  • iSCSI
 Essential tools
  • SQL Server Management Studio
  • Transact-SQL
  • SQL Server Configuration Manager
 Creating and Managing Databases
  • Storage structures
  • Examining disk structures
  • Creating databases and transaction logs
  • Defining file groups
Managing database space
  • Permitting automatic database growth
  • Adding database files to expand database
  • Specifying database options
  • Pages
  • Extends
 Moving databases
  • Scripting objects and moving data with Transact-SQL
  • Detaching and attaching databases
 Implementing Server and Database Security
  • Creating logins
  • Contrasting Windows and SQL Server authentication
  • Authorizing logins
  • Making logins members of server roles
  • Enforcing password policy
 Authorizing database access
  • Adding users
  • Defining new roles
  • Delegating privileges with predefined roles
  • Assigning users to roles
  • Handling miss-mapped logins
Managing Permissions
  • Granting database-scoped privileges
  • Permitting object creation
  • Granting blanket permissionss
 Schemas
  • Designing schemas
  • Assigning a default schema
 Catalog Information
  • DMV
  • DMF
  • SYS tables
 Handling object-level permissions
  • Limiting object access
  • Meeting complex permission requirements with roles
  • DExamining permission hierarchies
Creating and managing indexes
  • Clustered Index
  • Non Clustered Index
  • Unique Index
  • Filtered Index
  • Partitioned Index
  • Covered Index
  • Defining indexed views
  • Analyzing and repairing fragmentation
 Creating and managing Statistics
  • Density of data
  • Selectivity of data
  • Rebuild Statistics
  • Histogram
 Transaction Log
  • Importance of transaction log
  • Internal architecture of transaction log
  • Truncate transaction log
  • Shrink transaction log
  • Transaction log size and performance tuning
  • UNDO-REDO Transactions
 System databases
  • Master
  • MSDB
  • Model
  • TempDB
  • Importance of TempDB with respect to performance
Recovering from Disasters
  • Backing up databases
  • Choosing a recovery model
  • Transaction log architecture
  • Full backup
  • Transaction log backup
  • Differential backup
  • File and File Group Backup
  • Copy Only backup
  • Partial backup
  • Log tail backup
  • Reclaiming transaction log space
 Restoring databases
  • Restore a full backup
  • Restore a differential backup
  • Restore a log backup
  • Restore with NO RECOVERY
  • Restore with RECOVERY
  • Restore with RESTART
  • Point in time restore
  • MARK restore
  • Recovering user databases
  • Testing recovery scenarios
 Export/Import data/database
  • Import wizard
  • Export wizard
  • Copy database wizard
 Automating Tasks with Jobs and Alerts
  • The SQL Server Agent
  • Configuring the agent
  • Setting up Database Mail
Multistep jobs
  • Defining jobs to handle routine tasks
  • Creating alerts and operators
  • Associating alerts with jobs
 Performing Database Maintenance
  • Database Maintenance Plan Wizard
  • Choosing maintenance tasks
  • Scheduling plan execution
  • Monitoring SQL Server
 Ad hoc monitoring
  • Querying Dynamic Management Objects
  • DBCC statements
 Database Availably
  • Always-On Availability Group
  • Mirroring Concepts
  • Clustering Concepts
  • Log Shipping
  • Replication
  • Attach/Detach
  • Online/Offline Mode
  • Hot/Cold/Stand by servers
SQL Server logs
  • Importance of SQL Server log file
  • How to read SQL Server log
 Dead Locks
  • What is a dead lock?
  • What is a wait lock?
  • Impact of dead lock and wait lock
  • Victim of dead lock
  • Identify dead lock using profiler
  • How to avoid dead locks
  • SET DEADLOCK_PRIORITY
  • SET LOCK_TIMEOUT
 Latest Topics
  • Database auditing
  • Resource governor
  • Policy management
  • Database End points(both TCP & HTTP)

Part 3: Performance Tuning

Executing queries
  • Analyzing query plans
  • Enhancing query performance
  • Testing queries
  • Selecting the best alternatives
  • Avoiding errors and pitfalls
 Performance tuning tools
  • DB Engine tuning Adviser
  • SQL Profiler
  • DBCC statement
  • Perfmon Counters
 Memory Management
  • DBCC PROCCACHE
  • DBCC FREEPROCCACHE
  • DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS
  • DBCC FLUSHPROCINDB(db_id)
  • DBCC FREESYSTEMCACHE
  • DBCC FREESESSIONCACHE
  • Tick Count
 L-L-W Issues
  • Lock Issues
  • Latch Issues
  • Wait Issues
Lock Mode
  • Shared locks (S)
  • Update locks (U)
  • Exclusive locks (X)
  • Intent locks (I)
  • Schema locks (Sch)
  • Schema stability lock (Sch-S)
  • Schema modification lock (Sch-M)
  • Bulk Update locks (BU)
  • Key - Range locks
 Isolotion Level
  • Read uncommitted
  • Read committed
  • Repeatable read
  • Snapshot
  • Serializable
 Lock Granularity and Hierarchies
  • RID
  • KEY
  • PAGE
  • EXTEND
  • HoBT
  • TABLE
  • FILE
  • APPLICATION
  • METADATA
  • ALLOCATION_UNIT
  • DATABASE
 Analyzing performance using
  • SET FORCEPLAN
  • SET SHOWPLAN_ALL
  • SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT
  • SET SHOWPLAN_XML
  • SET STATISTICS IO
  • SET STATISTICS XML
  • SET STATISTICS PROFILE
  • SET STATISTICS TIME
  • SET ANSI_DEFAULTS
  • SET ANSI_NULL_DFLT_OFF
  • SET ANSI_NULL_DFLT_ON
  • SET ANSI_NULLS
  • SET ANSI_PADDING
  • SET ANSI_WARNINGS
  • SET ARITHABORT
  • SET ARITHIGNORE
  • SET FMTONLY
  • SET NOCOUNT
  • SET NOEXEC
  • SET NUMERIC_ROUNDABORT
  • SET PARSEONLY
  • SET QUERY_GOVERNOR_COST_LIMIT
  • SET ROWCOUNT
  • SET TEXTSIZE
  • SET DEADLOCK_PRIORITY
  • SET LOCK_TIMEOUT
  • SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL
Design effective SQL statements
  • Relating indexes to where condition
  • Order of condition in where clause
  • Query Hints
  • Table Hints
  • Join Hints
  • Increasing sort efficiency
  • Reducing I/O with covering indexes
  • Implementing sparse indexes
  • Getting design advice from built-in tuning tools
 Partitioning strategies for tables
  • Horizontal partitionin
  • Vertical partitioning
 Indexes tuning
  • Internal fragmentation
  • External Fragmentation
  • Rebuild Index
  • Re organize Index
  • Portioned Index
  • Filtered Index
  • Covered Index
  • Compressed Index
 Statistics Tuning
  • Density of data
  • Selectivity of data
  • Rebuild Statistics
  • Histogram
  • Auto create statistics
  • Auto update statistics
  • Sync/Asyn update of statistics

Part 4: Advanced DBA Topics

Advanced DBA Topics
  • Resource Governor
  • Data collection
  • Policy Based management
  • Data Auditing
  • End Points
  • Always encrypted
  • Dynamic data masking
  • Multiple tempdb database files
  • Query store
  • Row level security
  • Stretch database
  • Temporal table
  • Enhanced in-memory OLTP
  • Truncate table with partition
  • Drop if exists
  • String split - string escape
  • Database scoped credential

Part 5: Azure SQL Infrastructure (Azure SQL + Managed Instance + Azure VM)

Azure SQL: Portfolio & setup
  • PaaS vs MI vs SQL on Azure VM; DTU vs vCore; Service tiers (GP/BC, Serverless, Hyperscale), Elastic Pools.
  • Hands-on: Create resource group, Azure SQL server + DB (PaaS), and an MI; baseline RBAC.
Azure SQL: Networking & access control
  • Public vs Private endpoints, VNet rules, Deny public network, Service Endpoints, firewall.
  • AAD admin, contained users, RBAC vs DB permissions.
  • Hands-on: Lock down with Private Endpoint, set AAD admin, create AAD users.
Azure SQL: Security deep dive
  • TDE (service-managed vs CMK in Key Vault), Always Encrypted (AEv2), Dynamic Data Masking, Row-Level Security, Auditing & Defender for SQL.
  • Hands-on: Enable TDE (CMK + AKV), set Auditing to Log Analytics/Storage, create an AE column.
Azure SQL: Backup/restore & recovery
  • Automatic backups, PITR/LTR, Geo-restore.
  • MI-specific: RESTORE FROM URL (.bak/.trn), certificate handling (TDE), msdb artifacts.
  • Hands-on: PITR restore (PaaS), long-term restore; MI restore from .bak in Blob with SAS.
Azure SQL: HA/DR patterns
  • Active Geo-Replication (per-DB), Failover Groups (server-level), listeners, failover tests.
  • MI Instance Failover Group (IFG) for cross-region, grace period/data-loss tradeoffs, zone redundancy.
  • Hands-on: Create geo-replica + FOG (PaaS); IFG between two MIs and simulate failover.
Azure SQL: Performance architecture & sizing
  • vCore sizing, IOPS/throughput limits, tempdb, storage choices, scaling (online), Hyperscale architecture, serverless auto-pause.
  • Hands-on: Measure I/O, scale up/down, bursty workload on serverless.
Azure SQL: Query performance & tuning
  • Query Store, Intelligent Query Processing, Automatic Tuning (force plan), index strategies, parameter sniffing.
  • Hands-on: Capture baseline, regress a plan, fix via QS/Auto Tuning; design covering indexes.
Azure SQL: Monitoring & automation
  • Azure Monitor metrics, Alerts, Log Analytics (KQL), Intelligent Insights, Query Performance Insight, Extended Events, DMVs.
  • Hands-on: Build alert rules, KQL workbook for top queries/waits, XE session on MI.
Azure SQL: Migration strategies
  • Assess: DMA; Migrate: DMS online/offline; bacpac/dacpac vs backup/restore (MI), transactional replication to MI, cutover planning.
  • Hands-on: DMA assessment; DMS online migration (AdventureWorksLT), post-cutover validation.
Azure SQL: DevOps & governance
  • CI/CD with sqlpackage/DACPAC (Azure DevOps/GitHub Actions), blue-green with FOG, schema drift checks, Policy/Blueprints/Tags/Locks, Cost control (Reserved vCores, right-sizing).
  • Hands-on: Build & release a DACPAC, blue-green swap using FOG listener, cost report.
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Course Statistics

16

Years of Experience

3671

Gratified Students

112

Training Batches

9634

Training Hours

Gratified Student Feedback - From Year 2000

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