Microsoft prepares SQL Server 2008 R2 debut

 

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By Jennifer Scott

Posted on 11 Aug 2009 at 15:16

MSDN and TechNet subscribers will be able to get their hands on a preview of Microsoft's SQL Server 2008 R2 from next week.

The "community technology preview" (CTP) will be available to subscribers from Monday, and made generally available next Wednesday.

Microsoft claims the next version of its database software is focused on business intelligence and comes bundled with features such as "self-service reporting" and "self-service analysis" through Project Gemini.

Other features in the pre-release version include application and multi-server management, as well as symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) scalability for up to 256 processors and version three of Report Builder.

Following the preview, Microsoft wants testers to send feedback to the company ahead of the server's official release, expected in the first half of next year.

The company also confirmed that this would be the first of many CTPs coming up in the next few weeks, including previews of the SQL Azure Database, a limited preview of Project "Gemini" Excel and SharePoint add-ins.