Table and Index Partitioning Introduction Data in your database may involve many records, in thousands or millions, so much

that at one time, it may become difficult to manage. One way you can deal with this is to store the records of a table in different file groups. This makes it possible to store one section of records in one file group, another section in another file group, possibly another section in another file group, and so on. As a result, when it comes time to look for one or a few records among thousands or millions of records, it would be easier to locate it or to locate them. Of course, the data still belongs to one database and to the same table. Practical Learning: Introducing Partitioning 1. 2. 3. 4. Open a file utility, such as Windows Explorer Display the contents of the drives On the C: drive, create a folder named Real Estate Main Repository If you have another partition or another drive such as D:, create a folder on it and name it Real Estate Secondary Repository. Then, in the code below, replace the indicated drive of Real Estate Secondary Repository to that drive If you don't have another drive, create another folder on the C: drive and name it Real Estate Secondary Repository If you have one more partition or another drive such as E:, create a folder on it and name it Real Estate Third Repository. Then, in the code below, replace the indicated drive of Real Estate Third Repository to that drive If you don't have another drive, on the C: drive, create another folder Real Estate Third Repository Check each of those folders and notice that they are empty Return to Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio To open a new Query window, on the Standard toolbar, click the New Query button

5.

6. 7. 8.

9. To create a database and the accompanying file groups, type the following:
USE master; GO CREATE DATABASE RealEstate3 ON PRIMARY ( NAME = N'RealEstatePrimary', FILENAME = N'C:\Real Estate Main Repository\RealEstateMain.mdf', SIZE = 4MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 1MB), FILEGROUP RealEstateGroupRecords1 ( NAME = N'RealEstateRecords1', FILENAME = N'C:\Real Estate Main

Repository\RealEstateFirst.ndf', SIZE = 1MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 1MB), FILEGROUP RealEstateGroupRecords2 ( NAME = N'RealEstateRecords2', FILENAME = N'C:\Real Estate Secondary Repository\RealEstateSecond.ndf', SIZE = 1MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 1MB), FILEGROUP RealEstateGroupRecords3 ( NAME = N'RealEstateRecords3', FILENAME = N'C:\Real Estate Third Repository\RealEstateThird.ndf', SIZE = 1MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 1MB) LOG ON ( NAME = N'RealEstate3Log', FILENAME = N'C:\Real Estate Main Repository\RealEstateLogger.ldf', SIZE = 1MB, MAXSIZE = 10MB, FILEGROWTH = 1MB); GO

10. Press F5 to execute 11. Return to the file utilities such as Windows Explorer and check the content of each of the previously created folders. Also check their sizes 12. Return to Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Partitioning a Table Before partitioning a table, you must create the necessary file groups. This can be done when creating the database since it is at that time that you specify how the database will be stored; that is, what files will hold the information of the database. After creating the database and creating its file groups. Before partitioning a table, you must create a partition function and a partition scheme. A Partition Function A partition function is used to define the ranges of records that will be stored in what file group. The SQL formula to create a partition function is:
CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION PartitionFunctionName ( ParameterType ) AS RANGE [ LEFT | RIGHT ] FOR VALUES (StartRange1, StartRange2, StartRange_n)

To use from a template, open a Query window. In the Templates Explorer, expand the Partition Function node. Drag Create Partition Function and drop it in the Query window. Skeleton code will be generated for you:
-- ===================================== -- Create Partition Function template -- ===================================== USE <database_name, sysname, AdventureWorks> GO CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION <partition_function_name, sysname, myRangePF> ( <data_type_name, sysname, int> ) AS RANGE LEFT FOR VALUES (<data_value1,,1>, <data_value2,,100>, <data_value3,,1000>); -- Partition function on a partitioning column col1 would be partitioned as follows: -- Partition 1: col1 less than or equal to <data_value1,,1> -- Partition 2: col1 greater than <data_value1,,1> AND col1 less than or equal to <data_value2,,100> -- Partition 3: col1 greater than <data_value2,,100> AND col1 less than or equal to <data_value3,,1000> -- Partition 4: col1 greater than <data_value3,,1000>

The creation of a partition function starts with the CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION expression followed by a name. The name follows the rules for names in Microsoft SQL Server. Because you are creating a function, the name is followed by parentheses. In the parentheses of the function, you must specify the data type of the column that will be used to create a range of records. The values of that column will be used to distinguish ranges of records. This means that the values of this column must allow the database engine to predict a range of records. This is called the partitioning column. For example, you can use a column that has an incremental count of values. This is the case for an identity primary key column. As another example, you can use a column that holds a category of values, such as female customers vs male and child customers. As one more example, you can use a column that holds dates so that you can isolate ranges of records from one date to another. After closing the parenthesis, type AS RANGE, which indicates that you are going to specify the ranges of values. This is followed by either LEFT or RIGHT. When the partition function will have been created and when the table itself will have been created, when the database engine is asked to look for a record or a range of records, it may have to sort the records. If you want it to sort the records from left to right, use the LEFT keyword. If you want the records sorted from right to left, use the RIGHT keyword. The AS RANGE LEFT or AS RANGE RIGHT expression is followed by FOR VALUES that is followed by parentheses. When creating a partition function, you must provide a way for the database engine to get a range of records. For example, you can use records from number 1 to number 1000, then another range from 1001 to 5000, and so on. Or you can specify that a range of records would go from February 11th,

2000 to June 26th, 2005. Then another range would go from June 26th 2005 to December 14th, 2006, and so on. You specify the range in the parentheses that follow the FOR VALUES expression. Type the first value of the first range, followed by a comma, followed by the first value of the second range, and so on. Practical Learning: Creating a Partition Function 1. Select the whole contents of the Query window and type the following:
USE RealEstate3; GO CREATE PARTITION FUNCTION RealEstateSegmentation(int) AS RANGE LEFT FOR VALUES(1, 10); GO

2. Press F5 to execute A Partition Scheme A partition scheme specifies the names of the file groups, in their order that will store the ranges of records that were created in the partition function. The formula to create a partition scheme is:
CREATE PARTITION SCHEME PartitionSchemeName AS PARTITION PartitionFunctionName [ ALL ] TO ( { file_group_name | [ PRIMARY ] } [ ,...n ] )

You start with the CREATION PARTITION SCHEME expression do indication your intention. This is followed by a name. The name follows the rules of objects. After the name of the partition scheme, type AS PARTITION followed by the name of the partition function you should have previously created. If you are planning to use only one file group, after the name of the partition function, enter ALL, followed by parentheses, in which you will type PRIMARY. If you are planning to use different file groups, after the name of the partition function, enter TO, followed by parentheses. We saw that, in the parentheses of the FOR VALUES of the partition function, you entered the starting value of the first range. In the parentheses of the TO keyword, type the name of the file group that will hold the records of the first range of the partition function. We also saw how to specify the second range in the partition function. In the parentheses of the TO clause, after the name of the first file group, type a comma followed by the name of the file group that will hold the records of the second range.

Practical Learning: Creating a Partition Function Scheme 1. Select the whole contents of the Query window and type the following:
USE RealEstate3; GO CREATE PARTITION SCHEME RealEstateDistributionScheme AS PARTITION RealEstateSegmentation TO (RealEstateGroupRecords1, RealEstateGroupRecords2, RealEstateGroupRecords3); GO

2. On the SQL Editor toolbar, click the Execute button Partitioning a Table After creating the partition scheme, you can create the table. The formula to specify a partition scheme when creating a table is:
CREATE TABLE What We Have Learned So Far ( What We Have Learned So Far ) ON PartitionSchemeName(ColumnName)

You start with the CREATE TABLE expression, followed by things we have learned so far: an optional schema and a required name. After the name of the table, you open and close the parentheses, in which you include other things we have seen so far: the columns, the constraints, and their options. Outside the parentheses, type the ON keyword, followed by the name of the partition scheme you will have created, followed by an opening and a closing parentheses. Inside the parentheses of the schema name, enter the name of the table's column that is the partitioning column. After creating the table, you can use it, like any normal table. Practical Learning: Partitioning a Table 1. Select the whole contents of the Query window and type the following:
-----============================================= Author: FunctionX Database: RealEstate3 Date Created: Tuesday July 28th, 2009 =============================================

CREATE DATABASE RealEstate3;

GO -- ============================================= -- Author: FunctionX -- Database: RealEstate3 -- Table: PropertyTypes -- Date Created: Tuesday July 28th, 2009 -- ============================================= USE RealEstate3; GO CREATE TABLE PropertyTypes ( PropertyTypeID int identity(1,1) NOT NULL, PropertyType varchar(20), CONSTRAINT PK_PropertyTypes PRIMARY KEY(PropertyTypeID) ) ON RealEstateDistributionScheme(PropertyTypeID); GO INSERT INTO PropertyTypes(PropertyType) VALUES(N'Condominium'); GO INSERT INTO PropertyTypes(PropertyType) VALUES(N'Single Family'); GO INSERT INTO PropertyTypes(PropertyType) VALUES(N'Townhouse'); GO INSERT INTO PropertyTypes(PropertyType) VALUES(N'Unknown'); GO -- ============================================= -- Author: FunctionX -- Database: RealEstate3 -- Table: Conditions -- Date Created: Tuesday July 28th, 2009 -- ============================================= USE RealEstate3; GO CREATE TABLE Conditions ( ConditionID int identity(1,1) NOT NULL, Condition varchar(20), CONSTRAINT PK_Conditions PRIMARY KEY(ConditionID) ) ON RealEstateDistributionScheme(ConditionID); GO INSERT INTO Conditions(Condition) VALUES(N'Excellent'); GO INSERT INTO Conditions(Condition) VALUES(N'Good'); GO INSERT INTO Conditions(Condition) VALUES(N'Bad Shape'); GO INSERT INTO Conditions(Condition) VALUES(N'Mostly Damaged');

GO -- ============================================= -- Author: FunctionX -- Database: RealEstate3 -- Table: Properties -- ============================================= CREATE TABLE Properties ( PropertyID int identity(1,1) NOT NULL, PropertyNumber char(6), Address varchar(100), City varchar(50), State char(2), ZIPCode varchar(12), PropertyTypeID int CONSTRAINT FK_PropertyTypes FOREIGN KEY REFERENCES PropertyTypes(PropertyTypeID), ConditionID int CONSTRAINT FK_Conditions FOREIGN KEY REFERENCES Conditions(ConditionID), Bedrooms smallint, Bathrooms float, FinishedBasement bit, IndoorGarage bit, Stories smallint, YearBuilt smallint, MarketValue money, CONSTRAINT PK_Properties PRIMARY KEY(PropertyID) ) ON RealEstateDistributionScheme(PropertyID); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'524880', N'1640 Lombardo Ave', N'Silver Spring', N'MD', N'20904', 2, 2, 4, 2.5, 3, 1, 3, 1995, 495880.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'688364', N'10315 North Hacht Rd', N'College Park', N'MD', N'20747', 2, 1, 4, 3.5, 3, 1, 2, 2000, 620724.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, FinishedBasement, Stories, MarketValue) VALUES(N'611464', N'6366 Lolita Drive', N'Laurel', N'MD', N'20707', 2, 2, 1, 2, 422625.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(Address, City, PropertyTypeID, Bedrooms, MarketValue) VALUES(N'9002 Palasko Hwy', N'Tysons Corner', 1, 2, 422895.00); GO

INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, State, ZIPCode, Bedrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'420115', N'DC', N'20011', 2, 1982, 312555); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, Bedrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'917203', N'Alexandria', N'22024', 2, 3, 1965, 345660.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, MarketValue) VALUES(N'200417', N'4140 Holisto Crt', N'Germantown', N'MD', 1, 1, 2, 1, 215495.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, State, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Rockville', N'MD', 1, 2, 2, 2, 1996, 436885.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'927474', N'9522 Lockwood Rd', N'Chevy Chase', N'MD', N'20852', 3, 3, 3, 2.5, 3, 0, 3, 1992, 415665.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'207850', N'14250 Parkdoll Rd', N'Rockville', N'MD', N'20854', 3, 2, 3, 2.5, 2, 1, 2, 1988, 325995.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, PropertyTypeID, Bedrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Washington', 3, 4, 1975, 366775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'288540', N'10340 Helmes Street #408', N'Silver Spring', N'MD', N'20906', 1, 2, 1, 1, 2000, 242775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'247472', N'1008 Coppen Street', N'Silver Spring', N'MD', N'20906', 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1996, 625450.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Chevy Chase', N'20956', 2, 3, 2001, 525450.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(Address, City, State,

PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, MarketValue) VALUES(N'686 Herod Ave #D04', N'Takoma Park', N'MD', 1, 1, 2, 360885.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'297446', N'14005 Sniders Blvd', N'Laurel', N'MD', N'20707', 3, 4, 4, 1.5, 3, 1, 2, 2002, 412885.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, ZIPCode, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Stories, YearBuilt) VALUES(N'Silver Spring', N'20905', 2, 4, 2, 1965); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'924792', N'680 Prushia Rd', N'Washington', N'DC', N'20008', 2, 2, 5, 3.5, 3, 0, 3, 2000, 555885.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'294796', N'14688 Parrison Street', N'College Park', N'MD', N'20742', 2, 1, 5, 2.5, 2, 1, 2, 1995, 485995.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, State, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Rockville', N'MD', 1, 2, 1, 1, 1996, 418885.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'811155', N'10340 Helmes Street #1012', N'Silver Spring', 'MD', N'20906', 1, 2, 1, 1, 2000, 252775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'447597', N'4201 Vilamar Ave', N'Hyattsville', N'MD', N'20782', 3, 1, 3, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1992, 365880.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(Address, ZIPCode, Bathrooms) VALUES(N'1622 Rombard Str', 20904, 2.5); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, State, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Rockville', N'MD', 1, 2, 1, 1, 1996, 420555.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State,

ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'297415', N'980 Phorwick Street', N'Washington', N'DC', N'20004', 2, 2, 4, 3.5, 3, 3, 1, 2004, 735475.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'475974', N'9015 Marvin Crow Ave', N'Gaithersburg', N'MD', N'20872', 2, 4, 4, 2.5, 3, 1, 1, 1965, 615775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'836642', N'3016 Feldman Court', N'Rockville', N'MD', N'20954', 2, 3, 5, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1960, 528555.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(Address, City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'2444 Arielson Rd', N'Rockville', N'20854', 1, 2, 1, 1996, 475555.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, State, PropertyTypeID, Stories) VALUES(N'Rockville', N'MD', 3, 1); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'208304', N'7307 Everett Hwy', N'Washington', N'DC', N'20012', 3, 1, 2, 2.5, 2, 0, 4, 2006, 420550.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'644114', N'10340 Helmes Street#1006', N'Silver Spring', 'MD', N'20906', 1, 2, 2, 2, 2000, 258445.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'937966', N'7303 Warfield Court', N'Tysons Corner', N'VA', '22131', 2, 2, 3, 2.5, 3, 1, 4, 2006, 825775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, ZIPCode, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Stories, YearBuilt) VALUES(N'Fairfax', N'22232', 2, 3, 3, 1985); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State,

ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'297497', N'12401 Conniard Ave', N'Takoma Park', N'MD', N'20910', 3, 2, 3, 2.5, 3, 1, 3, 2004, 280775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, YearBuilt, Stories, MarketValue) VALUES(N'855255', N'Laurel', N'20707', 2, 4, 3, 2, 1962, 2, 342805.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'469750', N'6124 Falk Rd', N'Arlington', N'VA', '22031', 2, 4, 4, 3.5, 3, 1, 1, 1982, 635995.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'826927', N'5121 Riehl Ace', N'Fairfax', N'VA', '22232', 3, 1, 3, 1.5, 2, 0, 1, 2002, 325620.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, MarketValue) VALUES(N'Silver Spring', N'20906', 1, 2, 2, 335655.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'287064 ', N'9533 Pensulian Rd', N'Silver Spring', N'MD', N'20904', 2, 3, 3, 1.5, 3, 1, 2, 1992, 485775.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, City, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, YearBuilt, Stories) VALUES(N'724001 ', N'705 Helios Ave', N'20004', 3, 3, 3, 1974, 4); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'209275', N'944 Fryer Ave', N'Chevy Chase', N'MD', N'20852', 2, 1, 5, 2.5, 3, 0, 2, 2002, 625665.00); GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'204759', N'1950 Galego Street', N'Germantown', N'MD', N'20874', 2, 1, 4, 3.5, 2, 1, 4, 2007, 428665.00);

GO INSERT INTO Properties(PropertyNumber, Address, City, State, ZIPCode, PropertyTypeID, ConditionID, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, FinishedBasement, IndoorGarage, Stories, YearBuilt, MarketValue) VALUES(N'937259', N'12366 Fowler Ave', N'Alexandria', N'VA', '22031', 3, 2, 3, 1.5, 3, 1, 3, 2007, 402815.00); GO

2. On the SQL Editor toolbar, click the Execute button