Transparent Data Encryption (SQL server 2008)

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is a new feature in SQL server 2008.
TDE is a new feature in SQL Server 2008; it provides real time encryption of data and log files. Data is encrypted before it is written to disk; data is decrypted when it is read from disk. The "transparent" aspect of TDE is that the encryption is performed by the database engine and SQL Server clients are completely unaware of it. There is absolutely no code that needs to be written to perform the encryption and decryption. There are a couple of steps to be performed to prepare the database for TDE, then the encryption is turned on at the database level via an ALTER DATBASE command.

SQL Server Management Studio Support for SQL Azure

Do you know that SQL Server 2008 R2 November CTP have added support for Server Management Studio Support for SQL Azure ? I cannot wait to play with it.

Microsoft SQL Azure™

Microsoft SQL Azure is the part of the new windows Azure platform. It seems to me that Microsoft is trying to address, get into and/or use the new hype surrounding cloud computing. I don't see this offering different from oracle on demand that has been there for long. I am not sure also after seeing oracle on demand how good the offering is.

Microsoft claims that
SQL Azure Database provides Internet-facing database and advanced query processing services and is the ideal solution for customers building new applications or integrating with existing investments into the cloud.
I will wait and see.

Microsoft sql server case studies

Who start using sql server ? Some eye catching case studies can be found @Microsoft SQL server case studies

SQL Server 2008: Benchmarks

Top Ten TPC-E database performance benchmarks carried out by TPC (Transaction processing benchmark council) @ SQL Server 2008: Benchmarks

SQL Server compared to Oracle

Microsoft view of comparison between SQL server 2008 and oracle 11G. Microsoft claims that Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 outperforms Oracle in the areas that matter to business. I am not sure what this mean. But you can see this interesting comparison by Microsoft @SQL Server compared to Oracle

Microsoft SQL Server Playback Program

Microsoft have introduced a Microsoft SQL Server Playback Program. For more information on how the program works you can download and see and view

program overview

goals of the program

if you would be able to participate

processes and procedures that is required

benefit to customers who participate in the progaram

and more can be found @ Microsoft SQL Server Playback Program

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

What is new in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2?

1. Master Data Services
Microsoft SQL server 2008 R2 contains a master data management applications. Master data services have got the following tools.

Master Data Services Configuration Manager. This configuration manager will help you to create and configure master data services databases and web applications

Master data services web service. This component is more useful to developers as they would be able to extend or develop custom solutions for master data services

Master Data Manager. This is used by users to manage master data

2. PowerPivot for SharePoint

Microsoft SQL Server PowerPivot for SharePoint extends SharePoint 2010 and Excel Services to add server-side processing, collaboration, and document management support for the PowerPivot workbooks that you publish to SharePoint.

3. Multi-Server Administration and Data-Tier Application
Full details of this new feature can be found @Multi-Server Administration

4. Support or 256 logical processors

Support for 256 logical processor is now added in R2 but this requires to be run on Windows 2008 R2. This is a big jump from previous maximum value of 64 processors. Quite a bit jump in my opinion.

5. Support for visualization of geographic spatial data in Reporting Services
Support for reports with visual geographic mapping is now supported in SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server 2008 R2 (CTP)

The SQL Server Team announced today the release of the SQL Server 2008 R2 November Community Technology Preview (CTP). This is now availabel for download and installation for development and test system.

The anticipated ship date is going to be the first half of 2010 if things goes as planned.

To download and view the new features go to SQL Server 2008 R2 (CTP)