News

Microsoft Previews SQL Server 2008 SP2

Microsoft today released a community technology preview (CTP) of the next service pack for SQL Server 2008.

SQL Server 2008 SP2 CTP can be downloaded here and the Express Edition version is available here. Microsoft recommends deploying this test version only in nonproduction environments. 

The CTP contains cumulative updates to SQL Server 2008 SP1, up to update package 8. Microsoft also fixed some issues reported by customers with this release. This service pack contains three new additions, according to Microsoft's announcement. First, the team tweaked the SQL Server 2008 R2 Utility, which provides an overall view of system resources by modeling entities. Microsoft describes the SQL Server Utility in greater detail here.

Next, the service pack adds support in SQL Server Management Studio for data-tier application (DAC) operations. Users can create DAC package files that contain schema and server-level objects for use with host instances of the database. This Microsoft-produced video shows how to do that using SQL Server Management Studio. Microsoft provides a technical description of DACs here.

Finally, the service pack contains an add-in that integrates SQL Server 2008 R2 report servers with SharePoint 2007. Microsoft says that the add-in improves the management of "credentials and shared data sources." It includes Report Builder 3.0 and an ATOM feed renderer. The add-in "is not supported on SharePoint 2010 Products," according to Microsoft's announcement.

The new service pack runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems, including Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2003, as well as Windows 7 and Vista.

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