Replication is the technique of keeping the database between various SQL Server instances up-to-date as the database changes. There are different replication technologies available in SQL Server, one of which uses different techniques of providing various levels of currency in the data.

Arshad Ali explores Proactive Caching, available in SQL Server Analysis Services 2005 and later versions. Proactive Caching helps DBAs to better control the cube data automatic refresh frequency. Proactive Caching offers near real time data for reports, while at same time providing a query performance similar to MOLAP storage mode.

Table partitioning is an option available to DBAs that can help them manage key database performance areas including i/o balancing, contention reduction, SQL statement performance improvements and even data availability. Oracle Database 11g adds some very powerful new table partitioning methods that can be implemented to help to achieve some of these goals.

There is a growing trend to access applications that are not just confined to just the PC but also extend to the other usually connected devices such as mobile phones and Point-of-Sale terminals. Keeping data synchronized across different platforms is a difficult problem to solve and the Microsoft Sync Framework is Microsoft's solution to the problem.

It would be smart to brush up on your SQL when interviewing for a PL/SQL developer position. James Koopmann shares five questions that he has been asked when interviewing for both a DBA position and a PL/SQL developer position.