14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has announced today the availability of the first service pack for SQL Server 2005, launched in November last year.
Based on the feedback received from users and partners in 92 countries, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP1 includes production-ready Database Mirroring functionality and the new SQL Server Management Studio Express, along with additional updates to SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.
"It has been very gratifying to see the level of excitement, engagement and rapid adoption of SQL Server 2005 by our customers and partners," said Paul Flessner, senior vice president of the Data and Storage Platform Division at Microsoft.
"Along with enabling us to deliver SP1 quickly, the large volume of feedback we've received has been the key in helping us formulate a compelling vision for the next decade of data management", he added.
Here are the most important features from Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP1:
- Database Mirroring complements the existing Always On Technologies in SQL Server 2005, such as failover clustering, database snapshots, snapshot isolation and log shipping.
- SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, which includes SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) functionality, Full Text Search and the newly released SQL Server Management Studio Express. This edition is free.
- New SQL Server Management Studio Express, a simplified graphical management environment for SQL Server Express Edition.
- Extension of SSRS to support enterprise reporting on SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence with two new components in SP1: a Microsoft .NET Data provider for SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence and a new MDX Query Designer.