14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will deliver two service packs for older releases of its data platform by the end of this year, the company confirmed. Both SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and SQL Server 2005 SP4 are planned for general availability in the second half of 2010. Microsoft indicates that it was feedback from customers running its data platform that made it decide to make public its SQL Server Servicing plans, as well as continue to offer major upgrades for the 2008 and 2005 versions of SQL Server.
“We appreciate your recent comments regarding the servicing needs of your current SQL Server configurations. We want to assure you that we are fully committed to our existing customer base, hence hereby clarification around our near term servicing deliverables,” revealed Matthias Berndt, group program manager Microsoft SQL Server.
Berndt promised customers currently running SQL Server 2008 that they will be able to download and deploy SP2 as they will move into the second half of this year. The Redmond company is currently targeting the third quarter of 2010 for the release of SQL Server 2008 SP2. Microsoft offered the first service pack for SQL Server 2008 at the end of March 2009.
At the same time, the software giant continues to be committed to customers still running SQL Server 2005 SP4. The company notes that it is developing SQL Server 2005 SP4 in parallel with SQL Server 2008 SP2 and that customers will get the bits ahead of 2011.
“You overwhelmingly requested another servicing release for SQL Server 2005. Given your feedback Microsoft targets now such release in Q4/CY2010. Based on current support volume as well as the fact that SQL Server 2005 will enter into extended support on 4/13/2011 we anticipate this to be the last Service Pack release for this SQL Server version. Extended support for SQL Server 2005 will be available through 4/12/2016. As always, the SQL Server team will carefully monitor customer feedback as well as support volume to re-assess our decisions based on your needs,” Berndt added.