14 DAY TRIAL // The first Community Technology Preview of the next iteration of Microsoft's data platform is now available for download to MSDN and TechNet subscribers. SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP went live on MSDN and TechNet on August 10th, 2009, and will shortly be available to all interested in test driving the successor of SQL Server 2008. Microsoft promised that SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP 1 would be available for download for the general public tomorrow, August 12.
“Building on the momentum of SQL Server 2008, “R2” improves IT efficiency by reducing the time and cost of developing and managing applications; empowers end users to make better decisions through Self-Service Business Intelligence and enables organizations to scale with confidence by providing high levels of reliability, security and scalability for business critical applications,” revealed a member of the SQL Server team.
Customers who have already adopted Microsoft's data platform have the first chance to try first hand what the evolution of SQL Server 2008 will bring to the table. Downloading and installing SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP will provide access to pre-release features and capabilities including: Application and Multi-Server Management; SMP scale up with support for up to 256 logical processors and Report Builder 3.0 with support for geospatial visualization.
“This CTP provides the first opportunity to explore some of the features of SQL Server 2008 R2 and see how it all comes together to enhance performance and scalability, enable self-service BI and improve IT and developer efficiency. The CTP process is also a great way for you to give us feedback on the new technologies,” the SQL Server team representative added.
Microsoft plans to release SQL Server 2008 R2 in 2010 and deliver customers enhanced management capabilities. In this regard, SQL Server 2008 R2's Application and Multi-Server Management capabilities are designed to kick up a notch management capabilities for database environments. In addition, R2 will also offer a deeper insight into a database environment through Report Builder 3.0, which is capable of offering users complex visualization marrying geospatial data with business information.
“SQL Server 2008 R2 August CTP is only the first in a string of CTPs launching this month. In the coming weeks we’ll also launch CTPs for low latency complex event processing now called StreamInsight, the first CTP for SQL Azure Database, a limited preview of Project “Gemini” Excel and SharePoint add-ins and a private technology preview of Project Madison, Microsoft’s massively scalable data warehousing solution, with a select group of customers. Stay tuned to this page, where we’ll be announcing new CTPs as they become available,” the SQL Server team member stated.