News

Microsoft Releases SP2 for SQL Server 2016

Microsoft this week released service pack 2 (SP2) of SQL Server 2016, nearly a year and a half after releasing SP1.

The SP2 release, which is available through the Microsoft Download Center, is packed with performance improvements, as well as diagnostic additions, and it includes all of the latest updates through SQL Server 2016 SP1 Cumulative Update 8.

It also includes Microsoft's Jan. 2 security update for speculative execution side-channel attack scenarios. For background, see the Redmond article by Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Joey D'Antoni.

In general, Microsoft improved database backup performance for "large memory machines" in SQL Server 2016 SP2. Performance also was enhanced by the addition of "backup compression support." Highlights on the performance side include:

  • An improved cleanup process for "oversized distribution database tables" to avoid "blocking or deadlock scenarios."
  • An improvement in "change tracking cleanup" for "Change Tracking side tables."
  • An I/O backup improvement that promises performance gains when "multiple small databases" are hosted on "large high-end servers with large memory."
  • VDI backup compression for Transparent Data Encryption-enabled databases.
  • Dynamic loading of Replication Agents parameters "without having to restart the agent."

On the diagnostics side, Microsoft improved the troubleshooting. It added improvements based on feedback from the last Microsoft Connect event. Highlights on the diagnostic side include:

  • Full support for "distributed transactions with Availability Group databases."
  • The closing of all Service Broker connections on Availability Group failovers.
  • A Dynamic Management Views addition for monitoring TempDB sizing "based on the version store usage requirements per database."
  • Ability to generate full dumps for Replication Agents for troubleshooting purposes.
  • Dynamic reloading of "some Replication Agent profile parameters" without having to restart the agent.

The full list of SQL Server 2016 SP2 improvements can be found in this Knowledge Base article.

Microsoft is recommending a reboot after installing SP2. While the service pack is currently available from the Microsoft Download Center, it'll be available "soon to Visual Studio subscriptions, MBS/Partner Source and VLSC [Volume Licensing Service Center]," Microsoft indicated.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

Featured

  • Nebula

    Ahead of AGI, Microsoft and OpenAI Redefine Their Partnership

    In a recapitalization announced Tuesday, OpenAI has launched a new public benefit corporation (PBC) called OpenAI Group, giving Microsoft a 27 percent ownership stake valued at approximately $135 billion.

  • Veeam Acquires Securiti AI To Unify Data Resilience and AI Security

    Veeam Software is making a strategic move into AI and data security by acquiring Securiti AI for $1.7 billion.

  • Microsoft Adds 'Mico' Virtual Assistant to Copilot in Major Fall Update

    In a significant feature update, Microsoft on Thursday said it is reshaping its Copilot AI platform with features that deepen user personalization and enable real-time group collaboration, among other perks.

  • Nutanix Partner Central Rolls Out To Boost Channel Engagement

    Nutanix on Wednesday launched a new platform, Partner Central, to give its channel partners a unified digital workspace for managing sales, tracking incentives and collaborating more effectively.

Most   Popular