SQL Server 2008 Evaluation download

The evaluation edition is now available online.

SQL Server 2008 is RTM

Big news today. SQL Server 2008 is now available to MSDN and TechNet subscribers and will be available for evaluation download on Aug. 7, 2008.

SQL Server 2008 is available in 7 editions:

•	SQL Server 2008 Enterprise. SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is a comprehensive data management and business intelligence platform that provides enterprise-class scalability, data warehousing, security, advanced analytics and reporting support for running business-critical applications. With this edition, it is possible to consolidate servers and perform large-scale online transactional processing.
•	SQL Server 2008 Standard. SQL Server 2008 Standard is a complete data management and business intelligence platform that provides best-in-class ease of use and manageability for running departmental applications.
•	SQL Server 2008 Workgroup. SQL Server 2008 Workgroup is a reliable data management and reporting platform that delivers secure, remote synchronization and management capabilities for running branch applications. This edition includes core database features and is easy to upgrade to the Standard or Enterprise edition.
•	SQL Server 2008 Web. SQL Server 2008 Web is designed for highly available, Internet-facing Web-serving environments running on Windows Server. SQL Server 2008 Web provides the tools necessary to support low-cost, large-scale, highly available Web applications or hosting solutions for customers.
•	SQL Server 2008 Developer. SQL Server 2008 Developer allows developers to build and test any type of application with SQL Server. This edition features all of the functionality of SQL Server Enterprise but is licensed only for development, test and demo use. Applications and databases developed on this edition can easily be upgraded to SQL Server 2008 Enterprise.
•	SQL Server 2008 Express. SQL Server 2008 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that features core database functionality including all of the new SQL Server 2008 data types, in a small footprint. This edition is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.
•	SQL Server Compact 3.5. SQL Server Compact is a free embedded database designed for developers and is ideal for building stand-alone and occasionally connected applications for mobile devices, desktops and Web clients. SQL Server Compact runs on all Microsoft Windows platforms, including the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems, and on Pocket PC and smartphone devices.

SQL Server 2008 Express and SQL Server Compact editions are available for free download today at http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver.

Read the press release on: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/aug08/08-06SQLServer2008PR.mspx

More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/sqlserver.

The connection in this workbook will no longer be identical to the connection defined in the external file located at ...

Office Data Connection files (ODC files) are a great feature in Excel 2007. Basically this technology allows you to store connection information (server name, authentication, database name, cube, ...) in a file. This file can be placed on a central file share or in a Sharepoint library. In stead of defining new connection info in every single Excel file, you just point to the "central" ODC file. If something changes, e.g. the cube is moved to another server, you simple update the ODC file and everyone is redirected the new server automatically.

At least this wil work if you specied "Always attempt to use this file to refresh data" the during the initial creation of the ODC file.

If you didn't check the check box then you and want to enforce the link afterwards you might be tempted to check the "Always use connection file" checkpoint in the connection properties (Click Connections in Data ribbon, Properties, Definition)

However if you check "Always use the connection file" you will get following error message:

The connection in this workbook will no longer be identical to the connection defined in the external file located at ....
The link to that external file will also be removed.
Do you want to proceed with the changes to the connection in this workbook?

Excel will break the link between the "Excel internal" connection and the ODC file. The UI seems to suggest that you can fix the link. At least that's what I thought. The key point is that the option "Always use the connection file" is not stored in Excel but in the ODC file.

If you want to fix the link between Excel and the ODC file you can manually update the ODC file by adding the following line

<odc:AlwaysUseConnectionFile/>

Make sure to add it just before the </odc:Connection> line.

After you saved the ODC file go back to Excel. Click Connections in the Data ribbon, Properties, Definition. Click Browse and point to the updated ODC file. After you click OK you will notice that the "Always use connection file" checkbox is now checked. And you no longer receive the error message.

Took me quite some time recently to find out, so I wanted to share this one.

SQL Server 2008 Jumpstart material available to public

In february I attended the SQL Server 2008 Jumpstart training in Seattle. The trainings were written and presented by SQL Server gurus (Kimberly Tripp, Paul Randal, Bob Beauchemin ,...). All sessions were recorded and are now available for download (free registration required).

On the site you will find:

• All session recordings
• Powerpoints
• Demo and Sample Scripts
• VPCs
• SQL Server 2008 funny video's
  

http://sqlserver2008jumpstart.microsofttraining.com/content/DownloadMaterial.asp?CcpSubsiteID=69&section=Overview

A must have if you wanna get a jumpstart with SQL Server 2008!

SQL Server 2008 Top 10 Features

Last week I presented my personal top 10 of new Features in SQL Server 2008 on the Community Day.

Here's the list

1. Backup Compression
2. PowerShell
3. Policy Based Mgmt
4. Multi Server Mgmt
5. Resource Governor
6. Change Data Capture
7. Data Profiling
8. AS DMVs
9. Report Builder 2.0
10. New stuff in SQL Server Management Studio (RC0)

The session was recorded and is now available on Chopsticks.




Werner Geuens gave an excellent presentation on the new datatypes in SQL Server 2008. This is also available on Chopsticks.



The Community Day was again a big success. Looking forward to next year!!!

SQL Server 2008 MCTS beta exams open for public

Microsoft extended the beta period for the first set of SQL Server 2008 exams. The beta exams are now open to the public. Passing the beta exams will make you a MCTS on SQL Server 2008.

These exams will be available until July 31, 2008.

71-432 - Promo code 943F6

You are invited to take beta exam 71-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.
By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance

---

Availability

Registration begins: June 5, 2008

Beta exam period runs: June 9, 2008– July 31, 2008

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

---

71-448 - Promo code B6543

You are invited to take beta exam 71-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration.
By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.

71-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance counts as credit towards the following certification(s).

· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

---

Availability

Registration begins: June 15, 2008

Beta exam period runs: June 16, 2008– July 31, 2008

Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.

Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.

Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China

---

Registration Information

You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam.
Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: 943F6
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.

To register in North America, please call:

•Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)

Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:

•Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp

---

Test Information and Support

You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge.
You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly.
Find exam preparation information: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-432.mspx

---

Frequently Asked Questions

For Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) help and information, you may log in to the MCP Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/or contact your Regional Service Center: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp.

•What is a beta exam?

•Where can I learn more about the registration process?

•Where can I learn more about the beta exam invitation process?

•Where can I learn more about the new structure of Microsoft Certification?

•Who do I contact for help with this beta exam or other MCP questions?

SQL Server 2008 RC0 released

SQL Server Release Candidate 0 is now available for public download on the Connect site.

Speaking at Community Day

The Belgian community has a very strong reputation internationally with many individuals making their mark in their fields of expertise. Lots of individuals, just like you, are hungry for more information about the many Microsoft products and technologies. In addition to the technical information, there is also very often the need to just socialize with other persons within the same domain of expertise. The many user groups that were started the last couple of years are doing a great job trying to address these needs with monthly meetings.

Eight of them, Belgian Dynamics Community, Biwug, IT-Talks, Pro-Exchange, SCUG, SQLUG, Visug, Winsec, and XNAbug have decided to combine their efforts again to organize another joint-event just before summer starts. So if you are eager to learn, get answers to your questions and meet your peers, come and join us at the premises of SemCom in Keerbergen on Thursday, the 26th of June 2008.

SQLUG.BE has two session slots. Werner Geuens will talk about the new datatypes in SQL Server 2008 and I will give an overview of my personal top 10 new features in SQL Server 2008.

The full agenda is available online. This is a free event, but registration is required. Looking forward to see you there.

SSMS Tools Pack

I recently ran into this great tool. SSMS Tools PACK is an Add-In (Add-On) for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express.

It contains a few upgrades to the IDE from the Management Studio:

• Uppercase/Lowercase keywords.
  
  
• Run one script on multiple databases.
  
  
• Copy execution plan bitmaps to clipboard.
  
  
• Search Results in Grid Mode and Execution Plans.
  
  
• Generate Insert statements for a single table, the whole database or current resultsets in grids.
  
  
• Query Execution History (Soft Source Control).
  
  
• Text document Regions and Debug sections.
  
  
• Running custom scripts from Object explorer's Context menu.
  
  
• CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) stored procedure generation.
  
  
• New query template.
  

SQL Server 2008 - calculating backup ratios

Backup compression is one of the coolest new features in SQL Server 2008. This nice little query gives you an overview of the average compression ratios. I used another T-SQL enhancement (GROUPING SETS) to show the ratio per database, backup type, ...


SELECT
DatabaseName =ISNULL(database_name,'(All Databases)'),
BackupType =ISNULL(CAST(type AS VARCHAR(15)), '(All Types)'),
CompressionRatio = AVG( CAST(backup_size/ compressed_backup_size AS DECIMAL(5,2)))
from msdb..backupset
WHERE (backup_size <> compressed_backup_size)
GROUP BY GROUPING SETS((database_name,type), (database_name), (type), ())
ORDER BY 1,2

Check out these excelent blogposts for more info on backup compression:

Paul Randal - SQL Server 2008: Backup Compression CPU Cost

SQLCAT - Tuning the Performance of Backup Compression in SQL Server 2008<

SQL Server 2008 BI Launch session available online

The session (Pervasive Business Intelligence with SQL Server 2008 - Heroes Happen Here) I gave on the SQL Server 2008 launch event is now available online.