What is New in SQL Server "Denali" (part I)

Part I : Availability and manageability Enhancements

As we all know microsoft is working on the next generation of SQL Server called Denali. It is at early stages to say what will be released but I would like to go through some of the features.


1. HADR

The introduction of the "HADR" solution for enhancing availability of user databases in an enterprise environment. This new enhancement of the database engine will help database administrators to enable to maximize availability for one or more of your user databases. HADR is a high-availability and disaster-recovery solution that provides an enterprise-level alternative to database mirroring. For more information , overview and to deploy, configure and administer HADR please refer to HADR

2.Combination of BIDS and Management studio


As we all know SQL Server managment studio was a one stop shop for your SQL server development and administation. The same is also true of Business Intellegence development studio (BIDS). The new version of SQL server will combine the two studio into one IDE. I think this is pretty cool.

3.Column-Based Query Accelerator

Column-Based Query Accelerator will help dramatically increase query performance ~10x as per microsoft's claim. I will probably test if this statement is true and will post my results on this blog. Colum base query accelerator will reduce performance tuning through interactive experiences with data for near instant response times and streamlined setup which removes the need to build summary aggregates.

4.SQL Server Management Studio enhancements

The Database EngineQuery Editor introduces enhanced functionality for Transact-SQL debugging and IntelliSense. Ability to debug T-SQL running on SQL2005 SP2 and later,
The Watch window and Quick Watch can now be used to watch T-SQL expressions,
Moving your cursor over T-SQ identifier will bring up a quick info pop up that displays the name of the expression and its value are just few of many new features that has been introduced in the next version of SQL Server

5. PowerShell

Windows powershell is no more part of the SQL server installation but it is part of pre-requisite. I am not sure if this is considered to be a new feature but nice to know.

6.Contained Databases
In new version of SQL server when moving a database from one instance of database engine to another instance, the dependancy of users in a contained database no longer associated with the logins on the instance. Microsoft claims that many other depenpendencies on the instance is also removed. For more info on contained database and the terms @read more on contained database

7. Database engine start-up options

Database start up option is now configured from SQL server configration manager.