14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has made available for download the Customer Technical Preview (CTP) release of SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 (SP4). Customers still running SQL Server 2005 can now grab the CTP bits from the Microsoft Download Center and start testing the new release.
Along with SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 CTP, the Redmond company is also offering early adopters the possibility to test drive SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 4 (SP4) CTP.
“The CTP version of Service Pack 4 (SP4) for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is now available for download. SQL Server 2005 service packs are cumulative, and this service pack upgrades all service levels of SQL Server 2005 to SP4 CTP,” the software giant explained.
“You can use these packages to upgrade any of the following SQL Server 2005 editions: Enterprise; Enterprise Evaluation; Developer; Standard; and Workgroup.”
Being a CTP Build, this release of SQL Server 2005 SP4 is intended for testing purposes only. In this regard, the recommendation from Microsoft is to not deploy the service pack into production, but to set up a testing environment.
Customers looking to try out the CTP Build should also be aware that they will not be able to get support from Microsoft Customer Support Services.
“SQL Server 2005 SP4 CTP includes SQL Server 2005 SP3 cumulative update 1 to 11, customer requested fixes, along with enabling enrollment of SQL Server 2005 SP4 with SQL Server 2008 R2 Utility Control Point,” the Redmond company added.
The CTP offers an excellent opportunity for customers to get a taste of the upcoming service pack, but also to send their input to Microsoft.
Development on SQL Server 2005 SP4 CTP continues at this point in time, and changes may occur from now until the final version of the upgrade is provided to users.
“Please submit feedback using the Microsoft SQL Server Connect Feedback Center. In addition, some of the fixes documented in this CTP release may not be included in the final release.
“There may also be fixes included in this CTP release that are not documented in the master KB article,” the company explained.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 CTP is available for download here.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Service Pack 4 CTP is available for download here.