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Today we announced the availability of the November CTP (Community Technology Preview) of SQL Server 2008 - the next generation of the SQL Server database platform.  You can download either an ISO file or a self-extracting executable of the CTP for all supported platforms (x86, x64, and IA64) from this link.

For me, the November CTP of SQL Server 2008 is an important milestone since the November CTP contains many new and exciting features that I have been looking forward to.  The list of new features in the November CTP can be found on the SQL Server 2008 Improvement Pillars page, and includes key elements such as:

  • FILESTREAM support - the ability to store large objects outside the database with full transaction, backup and restore fidelity
  • Geospatial support using the new GEOMETRY and GEOGRAPHY data types including the ability to integrate with Microsoft Virtual Earth
  • Resource Governor providing the ability to limit resources (CPU, Memory, etc.) to specific workloads
  • Transparent data encryption allowing you to encrypt all the data files and log files of a specific database
  • T-SQL IntelliSense in the Query Editor allowing easier development of procedures, functions and triggers -  something I have been looking forward to for quite a while
  • and many, many, many more exciting new features!!

Download the November CTP of SQL Server 2008 today and start to get a handle on how it can improve your applications and help your organization in the future. 

To help you get started in evaluating and testing SQL Server 2008, there are three new free on-line courses available.  They can be found in the free eLearning Collection 6187: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 which contains three 1-hour clinics:

Click on the link, sign in to the Microsoft eLearning site with your Windows Live ID and get started enhancing your skill set with SQL Server 2008. 

 

Have fun and Good Luck.....Damir