SQL Server Analysis Services Databases

This section provides comprehensive documentation on managing and working with SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) databases. SSAS databases are the core components for analytical data modeling, enabling the creation of multidimensional cubes and tabular models for business intelligence.

Understanding SSAS Databases

An SSAS database is a container for your multidimensional or tabular data models. It allows you to organize, secure, and deploy your analytical structures. Key concepts include:

• Multidimensional Models: Based on OLAP cubes, featuring dimensions, hierarchies, measures, and calculations. Optimized for complex analytical queries.
• Tabular Models: In-memory databases using relational modeling concepts, leveraging DAX for calculations and querying. Offers flexibility and ease of use for certain scenarios.
• Data Sources: Connections to underlying relational databases or other data sources that provide the raw data for your models.
• Dimensions: Represent the business perspectives (e.g., Time, Geography, Product) that users slice and dice data by.
• Measures: Numeric values that represent business metrics (e.g., Sales Amount, Quantity) and are aggregated based on dimensions.

Creating and Deploying SSAS Databases

You can create SSAS databases using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) or directly within SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for tabular models. Deployment involves publishing your project to an SSAS instance.

Using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)

SSDT provides a rich development environment for building both multidimensional and tabular models. The process typically involves:

1. Creating a new Analysis Services project.
2. Defining data sources.
3. Designing dimensions and measures.
4. Building cube structures (for multidimensional models).
5. Configuring tabular model relationships and DAX measures.
6. Deploying the project to your SSAS server.

For detailed steps, refer to the SSDT Guidance.

Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for Tabular Models

SSMS allows for the creation and management of tabular models directly on an SSAS instance. This is often used for smaller deployments or for managing existing tabular databases.

Managing SSAS Databases

Once deployed, SSAS databases can be managed through SSMS. Common management tasks include:

• Connecting to the Analysis Services instance.
• Browsing database objects (cubes, dimensions, tables, measures).
• Processing data to refresh model data.
• Configuring security roles and permissions.
• Performing backups and restores.
• Monitoring performance and query execution.

Processing Data

Processing is the act of loading data into the SSAS database and building the internal structures. There are different processing modes:

• Full Process: Rebuilds the entire database object.
• Incremental Process: Updates only new or changed data.
• Default Process: Analyzes the object and processes it based on its current state.

Security Roles

Define security roles to control access to SSAS databases, cubes, dimensions, and even specific cells or rows. This ensures that users only see the data they are authorized to access.

Further Reading

• Multidimensional Models
• Tabular Models
• Performance Tuning for SSAS
• Security in Analysis Services