SQL Server 2014 CTP2 available for download

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Dear SQL Friends,

SQL Server 2014 CTP2 is now available for download.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dn205290.aspx

Note: As you already know, SQL Server 2014 CTP2 should NOT be installed and used in production Environments.

So, let me write about some new cool features and functions in SQL Server 2014.

 

SQL Server 2014 helps organizations by delivering:

  • Mission Critical Performance across all database workloads with In-Memory for online transaction processing (OLTP), data warehousing and business intelligence built-in as well as greater scale and availability
  • Platform for Hybrid Cloud enabling organizations to more easily build, deploy and manage database solutions that span on-premises and cloud
  • Faster Insights from Any Data with a complete BI solution using familiar tools like Excel

 

In-Memory Support for all workloads

SQL server 2014 provides in-memory technology for all workloads.

  • In-Memory OLTP: Provides in-memory OLTP capabilities built into core SQL Server database to significantly improve the performance of your database application. In-Memory OLTP is installed with the SQL Server 2014 Engine without requiring any additional actions and allows in-memory performance benefits without rewriting your database application or refreshing your hardware. SQL Server 2014 CTP2 enhancements include AlwaysOn support, increased TSQL surface area, and ability to migrate existing objects to In-Memory OLTP.
  • Natively compiled stored procedures: Natively compiled stored procedures are Transact-SQL stored procedures compiled to native code that access memory-optimized tables. Natively compiled stored procedures allow for efficient execution of the queries and business logic in the stored procedure.
  • In-Memory Updateable ColumnStore:   Yes, it is updateable!! Provides higher compression, richer query support and updateability of the existing ColumnStore for data warehousing workloads giving you even faster load speed, query performance, concurrency, and even lower price per terabyte.
  • Extending Memory to SSDs:   Seamlessly and transparently integrates solid-state storage into SQL Server by using SSDs as an extension to the database buffer pool, allowing more in-memory processing and reducing disk IO.
  • New Enhanced Query Processing: Speeds all SQL Server queries regardless of workload. Absolutely great enhancement in SQL 2014.

 

 

 

Enhanced High Availability

  • New AlwaysOn features: Availability Groups now support up to 8 secondary replicas that remain available for reads at all times, even in the presence of network failures. Failover Cluster Instances now support Windows Cluster Shared Volumes, improving the utilization of shared storage and increasing failover resiliency.
  • Improved Online Database Operations: Includes single partition online index rebuild and managing lock priority for table partition switch, reducing maintenance downtime Impact.

 

Resource Governance

  • Enhanced resource governance: Yes, SQL Server 2014 new capabilities allow you to manage IO, in addition to compute and memory to provide more predictable Performance.

 

Security

  • Enhanced Separation of Duties: Achieve greater compliance with new capabilities for creating role and sub-roles. For example, a database administrator can now manage the data without seeing sensitive data or personally identifiable information.
  • Encrypted Backup: Provides encryption support for backups, on-premise and in Windows Azure.

 

Windows Azure Support

  • Azure Integrated AlwaysOn availability groups : Easily add replicas in Windows Azure to on-premise Availability Groups. Very cool feature, easy to handle through the availability group wizard !
  • Deployment Wizard: Easily deploy on-premise SQL Server databases to Windows Azure.
  • SQL XI (XStore Integration): Supports SQL Server Database files (from on-premise and Windows Azure) on Windows Azure Storage blobs.
  • Smart Backup: Provides management and automation of SQL Server backups (from on-premise and Windows Azure) to Windows Azure storage.

  

SQL Server 2014 brings to the maket many new exciting capabilities that will deliver tremendous value to customers.

For further questions, more Information and Demos about SQL Server 2014, don't hestiate to contact me.

Cheers,
Heinz