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Dynamic Query Data Extension Available
August 21, 2004 / 1 Comment »
One of the limitations of RS version 1.0 is that it doesn't allow you set the connnection string (a.k.a. data source) during runtime. For example, you may need to support separate databases per client and based on the logged on client you may need to redirect the user to the appropriate database. To address this issue, Toby Riley developed an interesting dynamic query data extension which allows you to pass the connection string as a report parameter. If you don't want to pass the connection string as a parameter, you should be able easily to retrofit the code to read the connection string from a configuration file. For more information how this could be done read my posting at http://tinyurl.com/3tcpj. Toby's extension is buit upon mine ADO.NET custom dataset data extension. You can download and give the Dynamic Query Data Extension a spin at http://workspaces.gotdotnet.com/appworld. My custom ADO.NET dataset extension can be downloaded...
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URL addressability vs. RS Web service
August 21, 2004 / 2 Comments »
Judging by the questions post on the RS newsgroup, many developers are often confused about which implementation choice will best meet their integration requirements. I hope the following comparison will help you evaluate them: URL addressability (HTTP-GET) · Implementation--The report request is submitted on the client side of the application directly to the Report Server. For Internet reporting, the Report Server has to be accessible on Internet. · Functionality--Limited to requesting reports only. · Interactive features (drilldown, drill-through, etc.)--Yes · HTML Viewer toolbar--Available · Integration effort--Easy, especially if the HTML Viewer meets your reporting requirements. For example, you can hardcode the report URL address in a hyperlink. · Security--Windows-based (intranet reporting) or Form Authentication (Internet reporting) · Vulnerability-- A malicious user can see and exploit the report request · Flexibility--Less flexible · Performance—Better than RS Web service RS Web Service (SOAP) · Implementation-- With web-based applications the report request is typically submitted on the server...
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Time to migrate
August 20, 2004 / 3 Comments »
Recently I had to migrate a Report Server installation from one server to another by keeping the Report Server catalog intact. If you find yourself in the same situation, here are the steps (hope I recall them right ): If you haven’t done this already, back up the encryption key of the old RS installation. RS uses encryption keys to encrypt vital information, such as credentials, connection strings, etc. in the RS catalog. You won’t be able to point the new installation to use the old catalog if you don’t migrate the encryption keys. To extract (backup) your encryption keys, issue the following command: rskeymgmt -e -fa:\keys.txt -p<password>, where password is any password you want to use to secure the encryption keys. You will need it later to restore the encryption keys on the new installation. For more info about the encryption keys, read Bryan Keller’s posting (http://blogs.msdn.com/bryanke/archive/2004/03/18/92102.aspx). If you need to...
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Don’t want to buy VS.NET to author reports? Try Cizer Report Builder
August 18, 2004 / No Comments »
Many of you probably know that one of the Microsoft RS partners, Cizer, offers an ad-hoc reporting tool called Cizer Query (mentioned in my book). Now, Cizer has released a report designer tool - Cizer Report Builder, as an alternative for authoring reports if you don't have or want to purchase VS.NET. According to the vendor: “Cizer Report Builder (CRB) 2004 v1.00 is now available. Bringing full-featured production report design into the browser, CRB makes the rapid deployment of reporting with Microsoft Reporting Services a reality. Cizer .NET Reporting now provides both ad hoc and production report design in a single web interface with zero client installation or download required. Charts, graphs, parameters, images, calculations and formatting are now easy to develop and manage. Other highlights include: Guided Report Development Wizards Links to Cizer Quick Query Access to Multiple Data Sources Drag and Drop Placement of Report Objects Local and...
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School is here…and so is my book
August 10, 2004 / 4 Comments »
My book “Reporting Services in Action” is finally available in print format. For time being, it can be purchased only from the publisher’s website (http://www.manning.com/lachev). It will probably take a couple of weeks before the book reaches other outlets such as Amazon.com. Many thanks to those of you that will purchase my book. I sincerely hope you will find it as much fun to read as it was to write. I am always interested to know my product meet your needs. Please drop me a line to let me know what you liked or disliked about my book. Happy reporting with Microsoft Reporting Services in Action!
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New RS features in SQL Server 2005 Beta 2
August 2, 2004 / 1 Comment »
For those of you who would like to know what new RS features have made it to SQL Server 2005 Beta 2, here is the list: Ability to load report projects in the new SQL Server 2005 Intelligence Development Studio IDE. The consequence of this is important. You don’t have to purchase VS.NET anymore just to get the Report Designer because the Intelligence Studio IDE comes bundled with the Report Designer. Integration with the SQL Server Management Studio. The third toolbar button on the Registered Servers toolbox brings to the RS configuration. Now you have a single console to connect and manage the RS configuration properties, security, jobs and shared schedules. The Analysis Services MDX and DMX Query Designers that allow you to craft MDX and data mining queries in a graphical way. Those of you targeting Microsoft Analysis Services will probably appreciate these two designers. Both designers operate in...
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TechEd Europe 2004
July 29, 2004 / 1 Comment »
Well, I have to admit that I will miss the echo of the drums and buzz surrounding TechEd Europe 2004. There are many new and exciting things coming for developers next year which means a lot of reading too J My favorite session (besides DAT354 which I presented of course) was Scott Guthrie’s one about the next generation of ASP.NET 2.0. I enjoyed also the Tim Sneath’s session. SQL Server 2005 integration with .NET is cool although I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that it supports only external .NET assemblies that have to pre-registered in similar way that RS integrates with .NET assemblies. Why can I write the whole darn thing in managed code? Hopefully the next SQL Server incarnation will finally kiss T-SQL good bye … Another sad thing was that .NET 2.0 Enterprise Services still require COM+ interop. COM dies hard... The buzz surrounding Reporting Services...
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