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On-Time Delivery for SQL Server 2005 SP1 

Microsoft on Wednesday announced it is shipping Service Pack 1 for SQL Server 2005, on schedule.

The latest revision of Microsoft's flagship database finally delivers the database mirroring capabilities that were originally promised for SQL Server 2005's release in November but were delayed in late summer.

SP1 also includes the SQL Server Management Studio Express, along with additional updates to SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, the company said in a statement. The new SQL Server Management Studio Express provides a simplified graphical management environment for SQL Server Express Edition.

The release was expected. Earlier this month, Microsoft gave customers a heads up that SP1 would be delivered in April. Senior Vice President of the Server Applications Paul Flessner also stated at the time that future major versions of SQL Server will come in a relatively-predictable two to three-year release cycle.

One caveat noted in SP1's “read me” files: “SQL Server 2005 SP1 will upgrade all editions of SQL Server 2005 to SP1 except Express Edition. You must use Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SQL Server Express) Service Pack 1 (SP1) to upgrade instances of SQL Server Express to SP1.”

The update supports Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, and Windows XP Service Pack 2.

SQL Server 2005 SP1 can be downloaded here. The read me file can be found here.

About the Author

Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.

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