SQL Server


MCP for the New Generation

Microsoft says new-gen program's aim is to simplify the cert process and reduce costs and training time.

Smoke, but No Fire for TCO

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a concept touted by Microsoft and various Linux vendors as proof that their products are cheapest to run. But TCO claims aren't what they're cracked up to be, and most IT shops never use TCO, or just plain do it wrong.

Microsoft Gets REAL on SQL Server 2005

With the launch of SQL Server 2005 coming in November, Microsoft has formalized the implementation guidance and marketing support it will provide to its partners and customers.

Database Mirroring Not Ready for Production When SQL Server 2005 Ships

When SQL Server 2005 is released to manufacturing in the next few months, Microsoft will take the exceptional step of designating one of its high-profile features as being intended for evaluation only.

A SQL Better Than the Original

SQL Server 2005 will raise the bar in terms of integration and standardization.

New Software Assurance Plan Is Filled with Partner Goodies

Partners to get new opportunities in delivering deployment services and training.

Critical Security Patch for IE Pulled, Reposted

A problem in Microsoft's process for posting patches to the Microsoft Download Center during the August patch day on Tuesday caused users attempting to pull down a critical cumulative patch for Internet Explorer to receive a corrupted file.

Patch Tuesday Brings 6 Bulletins, 3 are Critical

Microsoft released six security bulletins on Patch Tuesday, including three bulletins rated "critical." All six bulletins involved Windows, and one of the bulletins also involved Internet Explorer.

BREAKING NEWS: MCP Program Takes New Road in September

Framework for "new generation" certifications to debut in September, beginning with SQL Server, Visual Studio.

One-Stop Shopping for Small Business Customers

Small Business Server is the first step for your customers needing to integrate their business infrastructure.

BRIEF: Altiris To Support VS 2005/SQL Server 2005

Life cycle management tool vendor Altiris says it will support Visual Studio 2005 Team System and SQL Server 2005 in its future products.

HP Benchmarks SQL Server 2005 Scalability on TPC

SQL Server 2005 got its first independently audited public scalability test this week when Hewlett-Packard posted results of a run of the database against the Transaction Processing Performance Council's TPC-C and TPC-H benchmarks.

Patching Made Simple

Patching your servers is an art that takes time to master. Here's a paint-by-numbers kit to help you get started.

The Microsoft Survey

Love Microsoft? Hate it? Somewhere in between? It's all of the above in the Redmond magazine survey of your attitudes toward the world's most important computer company.