SQL Server 2008 (SSQA.net)

Installation gotchas and guidelines - SQL Server 2008 Express, .Net Framework 2.0 SP2, and 3.5 SP1

2008-09-01T08:02:00Z

You may be thinking installing SQL Server 2008 Express Edition is easy, yes it is when you have simple terms of usage. No issues for version 2005 though, just keep in mind about SQL Server 2008 installation when Visual Studio 2008 is/isn't present? issues to resolve. Just to talk in list of documentation, SQL Server Express makes it easy to develop data-driven applications that are rich in capability, offer enhanced storage security, and are fast to deploy. And with SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack, don't forget to install them as well

2008-08-18T07:46:00Z

Its over 2 weeks that SQL Server 2008 RTM is released and no doubt in stating that many DBAs might have performed downloads from their MSDN/Technet subscription to install within their environment. Remember feature pack download for SQL Server 2005 couple of years ago, in the same situation you have to be aware about such pack of installation which will have a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for your SQL Server 2008 management. They consists redistributatle...(read more)

Visual Studio 2008 SP1 available now for SQL Server 2008 installations

2008-08-13T08:05:00Z

In continuation to SQL Server 2008 installation when Visual Studio 2008 is/isn't present? post that you might be aware that one of the issues with the SQL Server installation was a dependency on Visual Studio 2008 SP1. Though it is not a complete show stopper to continue the installation of SQL Server 2008, few Enterprises will wait for correct and actual file so that they can get update to install Visual Studio Service Pack1 and continue the SQL Server 2008 instllation. The good news is It's now...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 installation when Visual Studio 2008 is/isn't present?

2008-08-11T08:01:00Z

In continuation to the SQL2008-InstallationVows on Windows Server 2008 there was a brief notes on pre-requisite of Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack when you are trying to install the SQL setup. The release notes were bit confusing that you have got with setup files. To correct the confusion and make it more clear Microsoft released the following updated notes: SQL2008ReleaseNotes on Visual Studio...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 installation vows on Windows Server 2008

2008-08-08T09:23:00Z

After I knew about the SQL 2008 RTM release news I have blogged SQL2008RTM-official here and as usual I have attempted to download the setup media from Technet which took a while (3 hours) to download the file, due to the obvious reasons of MSDN/TEchnet premium subscribers all over the world were attempting the same. Ok, I have got the setup media and to test upon I have downloaded the files for following editions: SQL Server 2008 Enterprise. SQL Server 2008 Enterprise is a comprehensive data management...(read more)

Its time to change the blog as SQL Server 2008 RTM is available now!

2008-08-07T10:52:00Z

Ok, SQL Server 2008 is RTM'd now and its time to change the section of this blog section as 'SQL Server 2008' without any tags! SQL Server 2008 - RC0/CTP (SSQA.net) to SQL Server 2008 (SSQA.net) Yes it is....(read more)

SQL Server 2008 RTM is released, its official now!

2008-08-06T18:40:00Z

Microsoft press announces that SQL Server 2008 is available for users and as per PressRelease : . ..announced the release to manufacturing of Microsoft SQL Server 2008, the new version of the company’s acclaimed data management and business intelligence platform. This version of SQL Server provides powerful new capabilities such as support for policy-based management, auditing, large-scale data warehousing, geospatial data, and advanced reporting and analysis services. SQL Server 2008 provides the...(read more)

SQL Server Data Encryption and Backup - any guidelines to follow?

2008-08-04T08:00:00Z

When it comes to the data encryption within SQL Server 2008 you would think about Transparent data encryption (TDE) which is a new encryption feature. It sounds good that this is a high level security feature you can deploy to secure the data, and a catch is you can do it without affecting existing applications. Traditional methods in implementing encryption in a database traditionally involves complicated application changes such as modifying table schemas, removing functionality, and significant...(read more)

RC0 reporting services product samples - SQL Server 2008 and 2005

2008-07-30T15:01:00Z

Until SQL Server 2000 the sample databases or files are installed along with binaries & program files, since version 2005 this has been changed and they are available from Microsoft download site and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) has no exclusion. No doubt that Reporting Services API is a comprehensive, server-based solution that enables the creation, management, and delivery of both traditional, paper-oriented reports and interactive, Web-based reports. Usage of SSRS is increased for...(read more)

Get ready for SQL Server 2008 RTM release!

2008-07-14T14:56:00Z

Are you desperate to get Relase To Manufacturing (RTM) release of SQL Server 2008? Well, long wait for SQL Server 2008 is nearly over. It is an official announcement that SQL Server 2008 will be on the August price list. This means that customers and partners will soon be able to place their orders for SQL Server 2008 as we get ready to RTM in Q3 of this year. As per Bob Kelly, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Infrstructure Server Marketing announced during Worldwide Partner conference on July...(read more)

Reporting Services 2008 additional features, other than SQL Server Reporting Services 2005

2008-07-11T09:38:00Z

SQL Server Reporting Services has been introduced in 2000 version but not catched within the user environment until the Reporting Services 2005 has been rolled out. In this regard administering a Reporting Services installation requires that you know how to perform routine maintenance tasks for server components, and how to manage the content and ongoing operations of the report server. Reporting Services components include Report Server Web service, for background processing applications, which...(read more)

Unable to install SQL Server 2008 RC0 Books Online

2008-06-26T09:54:00Z

In continuation with the BOL update topic on SQL2008-RC0_BOL post here I have had troubles in installing the RC0 Books Online on to my laptop. As per the error below I thought it may be problem with the Windows Installer service on my laptop (Vista Ultimate) and tried to install afresh on a central monitoring server (Windows 2003 server) & local machine (Windows XP), still no luck to install the documentation. On my laptop I have Windows Installer service 3.1 and that is not sufficient to carry...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 new features highlights - a short video samples

2008-06-25T18:06:00Z

I'm sure that by now you are aware about the list of new features within SQL Server 2008 and recently I have had couple of emails from newbie DBA/users in SQL Server asking about any reference they can get on these new features, with a video. In this regard Microsoft learning has provided right to the point of subject references as follows: SQL Server Enterprise Data Platform Vision Watch the video Support for relational data, XML, FILESTREAM, and spatial data Watch the short video . Extended Events...(read more)

SQL Server 2008 RC0 and 3.5 Compact edition Books Online - download and update your copy

2008-06-24T13:03:00Z

As in continuation with the latest release of SQL Server 2008 that is Release Candidate , I strongly recommend you update your local copies of SQL Server Books ONline aka BOL. Here is the link to download the latest copy of SQL Server 2008 RC0 BOL - Link_to-Download and also I recommend the SQL Server 2008 Compact Edition documentation upgrade, such as CompactEdition information....(read more)

SQL Server Data Services - what's new, basics and dig deeper

2008-06-20T07:27:00Z

In continuation to my post about best learnings in Tech-Ed conference on SQL Server Data Services (SSDS), I'm kind of more interested to know about this new 'cloud based' data management solution for the Data Platform. So the first question will be, what is this SSDS? As per Microsoft documentation '... a highly scalable and cost-effective on-demand data storage and query processing web service. It is built on robust SQL Server technologies and helps guarantees a business-ready service level agreement...(read more)