Some new features in SQL Server 2008 - November CTP

First of all I am very glad that 2 of my requests seem to have made it to SQL Server 2008:

• Cumulative waitstats info https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=275212


• A central registered server list https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=136596

Of course there is a lot more in this CTP 5 and the first thing you will notice is the new installer which is a lot better than in previous versions. A great addition is the ability to configure the location of tempdb at install time.





But let us look at the nifty stuff that has been added to SQL Server:

• Backup compression
• Intellisense
• Filestream support
• Many improvements on partitioning
• Plan freezing
• Resource Governor
• Change tracking
• Transparent Data Encryption
• Spatial data support
• Lock escalation can be defined on table level
• ...

Obviously there are many other new features available, as well in the Database Engine as in the other services like Reporting Services, Analysis Server and Integration Services. I suggest that you download the new Books Online to read about all the exciting new features because this time there are too many to discuss them in one post.

A quick note, when installing on Windows Server 2008 RC0 I had to start setup.exe because the autorun splash screen did not work and returned several javascript errors.