Questions on SSIS (Source = www.mssqltips.com)

Question 1 - True or False - Using a checkpoint file in SSIS is just like issuing the CHECKPOINT command against the relational engine. It commits all of the data to the database.

False. SSIS provides a Checkpoint capability which allows a package to restart at the point of failure.

Additional information: Checkpoints in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) Packages to restart from the point of failure

Question 2 - Can you explain what the Import\Export tool does and the basic steps in the wizard?

The Import\Export tool is accessible via BIDS or executing the dtswizard command.
The tool identifies a data source and a destination to move data either within 1 database, between instances or even from a database to a file (or vice versa).

Additional information:
SQL Server 2000 vs SQL Server 2005 Import and Export Wizard

Question 3 - What are the command line tools to execute SQL Server Integration Services packages?

DTSEXECUI - When this command line tool is run a user interface is loaded in order to configure each of the applicable parameters to execute an SSIS package.

DTEXEC - This is a pure command line tool where all of the needed switches must be passed into the command for successful execution of the SSIS package.

Additional information:
Execute a SQL Server 2000 DTS Package vs a SQL Server 2005 Integration Services Package

Question 4 - Can you explain the SQL Server Integration Services functionality in Management Studio?

You have the ability to do the following:

Login to the SQL Server Integration Services instance

View the SSIS log

View the packages that are currently running on that instance

Browse the packages stored in MSDB or the file system

Import or export packages

Delete packages

Run packages

Question 5 - Can you name some of the core SSIS components in the Business Intelligence Development Studio you work with on a regular basis when building an SSIS package?

Connection Managers

Control Flow

Data Flow

Event Handlers

Variables window

Toolbox window

Output window

Logging

Package Configurations

Question 6 - True or False: SSIS has a default means to log all records updated, deleted or inserted on a per table basis.

False, but a custom solution can be built to meet these needs.

Additional information: Custom Logging in SQL Server Integration Services Packages (SSIS)

Question 7 - What is a breakpoint in SSIS? How is it setup? How do you disable it?

A breakpoint is a stopping point in the code. The breakpoint can give the Developer\DBA an opportunity to review the status of the data, variables and the overall status of the SSIS package.

10 unique conditions exist for each breakpoint.

Breakpoints are setup in BIDS. In BIDS, navigate to the control flow interface. Right click on the object where you want to set the breakpoint and select the 'Edit Breakpoints...' option.

Additional information:
Breakpoints in SQL Server 2005 Integration Services

Question 8 - Can you name 5 or more of the native SSIS connection managers?

OLEDB connection - Used to connect to any data source requiring an OLEDB connection (i.e., SQL Server 2000)

Flat file connection - Used to make a connection to a single file in the File System. Required for reading information from a File System flat file

ADO.Net connection - Uses the .Net Provider to make a connection to SQL Server 2005 or other connection exposed through managed code (like C#) in a custom task

Analysis Services connection - Used to make a connection to an Analysis Services database or project. Required for the Analysis Services DDL Task and Analysis Services Processing Task

File connection - Used to reference a file or folder. The options are to either use or create a file or folder

Excel

FTP

HTTP

MSMQ

SMO

SMTP

SQLMobile

WMI

Additional information:
Connection Managers in SQL Server 2005 Integration Services

Question 9 - How do you eliminate quotes from being uploaded from a flat file to SQL Server?

In the SSIS package on the Flat File Connection Manager Editor, enter quotes into the Text qualifier field then preview the data to ensure the quotes are not included.

Additional information: How to strip out double quotes from an import file in SQL Server Integration Services

Question 10 - Can you name 5 or more of the main SSIS tool box widgets and their functionality?

For Loop Container

Foreach Loop Container

Sequence Container

ActiveX Script Task

Analysis Services Execute DDL Task

Analysis Services Processing Task

Bulk Insert Task

Data Flow Task

Data Mining Query Task

Execute DTS 2000 Package Task

Execute Package Task

Execute Process Task

Execute SQL Task

etc.

Question 11 - Can you explain one approach to deploy an SSIS package?

One option is to build a deployment manifest file in BIDS, then copy the directory to the applicable SQL Server then work through the steps of the package installation wizard

A second option is using the dtutil utility to copy, paste, rename, delete an SSIS Package

A third option is to login to SQL Server Integration Services via SQL Server Management Studio then navigate to the 'Stored Packages' folder then right click on the one of the children folders or an SSIS package to access the 'Import Packages...' or 'Export Packages...'option.

A fourth option in BIDS is to navigate to File Save Copy of Package and complete the interface.

Additional information:
Deploying a SQL Server 2000 DTS Package vs. a SQL Server 2005 Integration Services Package (SSIS)

Import, Export, Copy and Delete Integration Services Packages in SQL Server 2005

Question 12 - Can you explain how to setup a checkpoint file in SSIS?

The following items need to be configured on the properties tab for SSIS package:

CheckpointFileName - Specify the full path to the Checkpoint file that the package uses to save the value of package variables and log completed tasks. Rather than using a hard-coded path as shown above, it's a good idea to use an expression that concatenates a path defined in a package variable and the package name.

CheckpointUsage - Determines if/how checkpoints are used. Choose from these options: Never (default), IfExists, or Always. Never indicates that you are not using Checkpoints. IfExists is the typical setting and implements the restart at the point of failure behavior. If a Checkpoint file is found it is used to restore package variable values and restart at the point of failure. If a Checkpoint file is not found the package starts execution with the first task. The Always choice raises an error if the Checkpoint file does not exist.

SaveCheckpoints - Choose from these options: True or False (default). You must select True to implement the Checkpoint behavior.

Additional information: Checkpoints in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) Packages to restart from the point of failure

Question 13 - Can you explain different options for dynamic configurations in SSIS?

Use an XML file

Use custom variables

Use a database per environment with the variables

Use a centralized database with all variables

Additional information: Using XML Package Configuration with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) Packages

Question 14 - How do you upgrade an SSIS Package?

Depending on the complexity of the package, one or two techniques are typically used:

Recode the package based on the functionality in SQL Server DTS

Use the Migrate DTS 2000 Package wizard in BIDS then recode any portion of the package that is not accurate

Additional information:
Upgrade SQL Server DTS Packages to Integration Services Packages

Question 15 - Can you name five of the Perfmon counters for SSIS and the value they provide?

SQLServer:SSIS Service

SSIS Package Instances - Total number of simultaneous SSIS Packages running

SQLServer:SSIS Pipeline

BLOB bytes read - Total bytes read from binary large objects during the monitoring period.

BLOB bytes written - Total bytes written to binary large objects during the monitoring period.

BLOB files in use - Number of binary large objects files used during the data flow task during the monitoring period.

Buffer memory - The amount of physical or virtual memory used by the data flow task during the monitoring period.

Buffers in use - The number of buffers in use during the data flow task during the monitoring period.

Buffers spooled - The number of buffers written to disk during the data flow task during the monitoring period.

Flat buffer memory - The total number of blocks of memory in use by the data flow task during the monitoring period.

Flat buffers in use - The number of blocks of memory in use by the data flow task at a point in time.

Private buffer memory - The total amount of physical or virtual memory used by data transformation tasks in the data flow engine during the monitoring period.

Private buffers in use - The number of blocks of memory in use by the transformations in the data flow task at a point in time.

Rows read - Total number of input rows in use by the data flow task at a point in time.
Rows written - Total number of output rows in use by the data flow task at a point in time.

Additional information: Perfmon Counters for the Data Flow Engine in SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)