Hello everyone! Now that the year is in full swing, I figured it’s time to update my schedule and let you know where you can find me. Everything below is confirmed. More dates coming soon  … it’s going to be a busy year! Hope to see you at one or more of these.

PASS Virtual DBA Chapter – February 9
The first event of the year for me is next week. I’ll be presenting for the PASS Database Administration Virtual Chapter on February 9 (Wednesday). The abstract isn’t up on the site yet, but here’s what I’ll be talking about:

Windows Failover Clustering Basics for the DBA
While you can go to numerous places to see how to install SQL Server in a clustered configuration, what a DBA really needs is a solid foundation of Windows to truly be able to understand that SQL Server implementation and its subsequent administration. This session will demystify the Windows layer of clustering and present it from a DBA focus. Using Windows Server 2008 R2, some of the topics that will be shown are: failover cluster validation and its impact on installing SQL Server, a tour of the new Failover Cluster Manager and how it can be used for administration, using the new cluster logs for troubleshooting, and more.

SQL Saturday #65 Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) – February 26
You may have heard that the annual gathering of Microsoft MVPs is in late February/early March. Well, a bunch of us (myself included) submitted sessions for SQL Saturday #65 which is the weekend before in Vancouver, British Columbia. Thankfully one was accepted (Is That a Failover On Your Laptop?) and will be making the trek up. It’ll almost be like a mini-Summit with all of the top-shelf talent there. It should be a great day!

SQL Saturday #71 Boston – April 2
My company, Megahirtz LLC, is a proud sponsor of the upcoming SQL Saturday #71 on April 2 here in the Boston area. It’ll be nice to be able to drive across town instead of hopping on a plane or a train for once! I’ve submitted a few sessions, and I hope to be doing one of them that day. Come on out for a free and great day of SQL Server training.

SQLbits – April 7 – 9
Last, but certainly not least, I will be crossing the Atlantic and appearing at SQLbits which is in Brighton, England, from April 7-9. I am very honored and excited to be doing a full day session Practical SQL Server High Availability on April 7th. I’ve already started work on it and hope to make it a special day for the attendees, so register today. I will also be presenting the session So Many High Availability Options, So Little Time on April 8th.

I hope to also present on the 9th as well. I’ve got three sessions you should go and vote for if you’re going to be there. You do have to register to vote.

I look forward to seeing you in Brighton-by-the-sea.