So you have downloaded Denali CTP3 from - https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLDCTP3CTA/enus/ and now want to know what are the new bits in it. To help answer this question we have released a product guide to help you through this process. This product guide can be downloaded from - http:/...

Summary: This white paper explores how the Kimball approach to architecting and building a data warehouse/business intelligence (DW/BI) system works with Microsoft’s Parallel Data Warehouse, and how you would incorporate this new product as the cornerstone of your DW/BI system. For readers who are not...

A comprehensive (108 pages) whitepaper has recently been released that describes describes how operations engineers can test, monitor, capacity plan, and troubleshoot Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services OLAP solutions in SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, and SQL Server 2008 R2. Download Link: SQL...

  Recently, on codeplex the Application Lifecycle Management Rangers from Microsoft have made available guidance on database development practices when using Visual Studio 2010 database projects. This practical guidance is focused on the following topics: Solution and Project Management Source Code...

  When it comes to financial transactions of customers and their money, it is absolutely imperative that none of these transactions is ever lost due to an IT system failure (or any other type of failure). This white paper shows you how to create a Microsoft SQL Server infrastructure that enables...

Following whitepapers have been released/updated and discuss SQL Server’s great low TCO and Enterprise capabilities. It is a must read for anyone looking for a database platform that can provide the best value.   Do Not Pay Too Much For Your Database Licenses : update from previous white paper entitled...

Recently I had query around documentation that discusses the benefits of running SQL Server in a virtualised environment on modern hardware with SLAT or second level address translation. The below graph shows that (see the solid red line) the relative throughput for hardware with SLAT & Windows Server...

This white paper describes the technologies available in SQL Server 2008 that can be used as part of a high-availability strategy to protect critical data. As well as describing the technologies in detail, the white paper also discusses the various causes of downtime and data loss, and how to evaluate...

Many companies are considering or have already implemented consolidation of computing resources, including Microsoft SQL Server instances and databases, in their organization. A consolidation effort is a complex task that requires information, a detailed plan and timeline for success, and a strategy...

This white paper complements the existing documentation on planning, implementation, and administration of a SQL Server 2008 failover cluster, which can be found in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Books Online. There are links to relevant existing content throughout the paper, which is intended primarily for...

A best practices whitepaper was recently released discussing the SQL Server 2008 Management Data Warehouse feature.   It can be accessed at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd939169.aspx