SQL Server 2008 R2 Now Available!!!

We'll, SQL Server 2008 moves-on to the next phase with the release of the R2 CTP version.

Please read here for further details:

http://blogs.technet.com/dataplatforminsider/archive/2009/08/10/download-sql-server-2008-r2-august-ctp-today.aspx

SQL Server 2008 SP1 - New features!

We'll, no more worrying about installing a Service Pack for SQL Server 2008 and not being able to uninstall in the event of problems. Service Pack 1 for SQL Server 2008 now allows roll-back of the service pack without having to uninstall the entire application, which will reduce risk for DBA's and minimize down-time for data services consumers!!

Some additional feature of SP1 are:

1. Slipstreaming
2. Report Builder 2.0

This is a great addition to an already awesome product!

Here is link to SP1 download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=66ab3dbb-bf3e-4f46-9559-ccc6a4f9dc19&displaylang=en

Sneak Preview into SQL Server Codenamed Kilimanjaro on April 30

On April 30th 2009, we will get a sneak preview into the next version of SQL Server platform, which has current name of "Kilimanjaro". One of the areas the webcast will cover is features such as Self Service Business Intelligence, Scale-Out Data Warehousing and Multi-Server Management. Additionally, we will get a sneek preview at Project Madision and a new BI Tool called Gemini, which should be very intersting.

A bit of humour.......

Out of curiosity, I wanted to understand why the name Kilimanjaro was adopted for this next release, which will undoubtedly change prior to release to manufacture (RTM), so did a little background research and can only conclude, (from Wiki) Kilimanjaro breaks Kilima (Swahili for "hill, little mountain") and Njaro, whose supposed origin varies according to the theories—according to some it's an ancient Swahili word for white or for shining, so decided to interpret this as the "Shining Hill" release or something we can see from a far!!

This is one not to be missed and for everyone interested, please use the following link to register for webcast:

http://www2.eventsvc.com/academylive/register/95712536-abbb-4621-a484-33cb28bce69c

Thanks,
Phillip Cox

SQL Server 2008 Certification

We'll, I sat the SQL Server 2008 Transition Certification Exam 70-453 back in December 2008 to migrate my SQL Server 2005 MCITP award to SQL Server 2008. This exam is basically both the technical specialist and professional level exams rolled into one examination.

In all honesty, the exam wasn't all that difficult, but did mean spending a fair amount of time getting to grips with new features in SQL Server 2008, as majority of the examination covers familar topics that SQL Server 2005 product includes. Although, where they do differ is on the new features of SQL Server 2008, thus requirement to spend time understanding these new tools.

Good luck to everyone who is scheduled to sit the exam!
Well worth it!

I'm back!!

It's been sometime since I have updated the blog and apologies, but I have been working very hard with implementing SQL Server 2008 infrastructures.

Over the coming year, you will find a great deal of SQL Server 2008 information to help plan, design, implement and support the roll-out of the "king of databases!".