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Microsoft Releases SQL Server 2000 Beta 2 to Customers

Microsoft Corp. announced the worldwide availability of SQL Server 2000 beta release 2 to customers. The new version of Microsoft's database software includes several updated features, as well as new scalability and performance.

SQL Server 2000 is Web-enabled with support for XML and a new, integrated data mining engine, allowing customers to streamline business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce. SQL Server 2000 is built on the Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) Windows DNA platform and will offer support for software scale-out, high-end hardware platforms, and the latest networking and storage technologies.

Microsoft has already migrated over twenty internal systems to SQL Server 2000 and expects over 200,000 customers to test the new software.

SQL Server 2000 and BizTalk Server 2000 support an integrated XML infrastructure that allows documents to be managed and routed from database applications through BizTalk Server 2000. Analysis Services includes clustering and decision tree data-mining algorithms and is extensible by third parties via OLE DB for Data Mining, as well as new features for analyzing Web click-stream data, performing closed-loop analysis, and sharing analysis results across the Web through firewalls.

SQL Server 2000 offers scalability through Distributed Partitioned Views, a feature that divides workloads across multiple, independent SQL Server-based servers. SQL Server 2000 natively supports SAN technology such as GigaNet Inc.'s (www.giganet.com) cLAN server farm network and Compaq Computer Corp.'s (www.compaq.com) ServerNet 2. The software integrates four-node failover clustering and log shipping into its management console and setup wizard.

SQL Server is integrated with Active Directory to allow it to be centrally managed alongside other enterprise resources, simplifying system management in large organizations. Security enhancements include role-based security, tools for security auditing, and file and network encryption. - Isaac Slepner

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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