Aidan Finn: SQL

Microsoft Releases SQL Server 2008

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:22:23 GMT

Microsoft released SQL Server 2008 yesterday evening. This is a big release for MS. SQL is used in just about everything they release and it's a focal point for Windows application developers.

There's lots of new features which MS has categorised. I won't go into them all here. However, there are some key additions worth looking at. Modern business and the need for regulators has required MS to add new compliance and security features:

Encryption of databases, data files and log files.
Extensible key management for 3rd party solutions.
Auditing of data usage

If you're in finance, medical, pharmaceutical, SOX, etc, then you'll want to look at these features.

Anyone using SQL for a MS application such as Configuration Manager 2007 should wait for official support of those applications. MS will have to certify the product pairing and may need to release patches for support.

SQL 2008 Release Soon

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:32:49 GMT

Bink has reported that Microsoft will put SQL 2008 on the price list in August. That means that SQL Server 2008 will be released pretty soon. Microsoft delayed the release of SQL 2008 to make sure it was right. This is pretty admirable. They did the same for other releases, e.g. FTP publishing for Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V.

Credit: Bink.

Free SQL 2005 Training

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 19:17:10 GMT

Microsoft Ireland is proving an afternoon of FREE level 300 SQL 2005 training in Belfast and Dublin at the end of this month. More details are on the Microsoft Ireland Technet Blog. I'll be at the Dublin event if all goes to plan.