Portal And Content Management: What is new in SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2008 New Features,What is new in SQL Server 2008

Policy-Based Management:Policy-Based Management enables the efficient management of multiple SQL Server instances from a single location. Easily create policies that control security, database options, object naming conventions, and other settings at a highly granular level. Policies can evaluate servers for compliance with a set of predefined conditions and prevent undesirable changes being made to servers.

Management is centralized, thereby reducing the need to configure each server separately

Administration is simplified, reducing the effort required to maintain standardization and compliance, even in complex environments

Configuration is straightforward and can be done entirely within SQL Server Management Studio

Out-of-the-box predefined policies make it easy to get started

Backwards compatibility supports managing instances of SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2005, and SQL Server 2000

Performance Data Collection (Data Collector):The Data Collector provides a convenient way to collect, store, and view performance data automatically. It collects disk usage, server activity, and query statistics data, which it loads in a management data warehouse and performance data can be reviewed in SQL Server Management Studio or by using third-party tools.

Setup wizard makes configuration simple

Data collection is automated by using set of SQL Server Agent jobs and SQL Server Integration Services packages

Management is centralized so data collection can be easily configured and results can be viewed in one place

Performance impact is minimal because the data collected can be cached and uploaded to the data warehouse later

Data Compression:Data compression reduces the amount of storage space needed to store tables and indexes, which enables more efficient storage of data. Data Compression does not require changes be made to applications in order to be enabled.

Save disk storage
Enable compression option for individual tables or indexes
Configuration is easy using the Data Compression wizard
Applications do not need to be reconfigured as SQL Server handles compression and decompression of data
Compression can improve disk I/O and memory utilization

Resource Governor :The Resource Governor enables administrators to control and allocate CPU and memory resources to high priority applications. This enables predictable performance to be maintained and helps avoid performance from being negatively affected by resource-intense applications or processes

Prioritize applications, users, and computers competing for the same resources
Prevent runaway queries that hold resources for extended periods of time
Limitations are not enforced when there is no competition for resources

Transparent Data Encryption:Transparent Data Encryption enables data to be stored securely by encrypting the database files. If the disks that contain database files become compromised, data in those files is protected because that data can only be de-encrypted by an authorized agent. SQL Server performs the encryption and de-encryption directly, so the process is entirely transparent to connecting applications. Applications can continue to read and write data to and from the database as they normally would. Backup copies of encrypted database files are also automatically encrypted.

Implements strong encryption keys and certificates to secure data
Applications do not need to be modified to support Transparent Data Encryption
Enables compliance with data privacy regulations
Does not increase the size of the database

External Key Management / Extensible Key Management:External Key Management enables certificates and encryption keys to be stored using third-party hardware security modules that are designed specifically for this purpose. Storing the keys separately from the data enables a more extensible and robust security architecture.

Helps organizations comply with data privacy regulations
Reduces administration requirements when there are multiple keys and certificates to manage
Standard interface supports third party hardware security modules

Data Auditing:Data Auditing provides a simple way to track and log events relating to your databases and servers. You can audit logons, password changes, data access and modification, and many other events. Tracking these events helps maintain security and can also provide valuable troubleshooting information. The results of audits can be saved to file or to the Windows Security or Application logs for later analysis or archiving.

Enables compliance with security regulations
Simple configuration using SQL Server Management Studio
Minimal impact on performance because audit data is stored outside of SQL Server database files

Hot-Add CPUs and Hot-Add Memory:Hot-add CPUs, a feature available with the 64-bit edition SQL Server Enterprise, allows CPUs to be dynamically added to servers as needed, without the need to shut down the server or limit client connections. Hot-add memory enables memory to be added in the same way.

Dynamically add memory and processors to servers without incurring downtime

Streamlined Installation:The SQL Server 2008 installation process has been streamlined to be easier and more efficient. Individual SQL Server components, such as Database Services, Analysis Services, and Integration Services, can be optionally selected for installation. Failover cluster support configuration has also been added to the installation.

Easier to install SQL Server
Setup now advises of configuration problems such as installation pre-requisites, which helps streamline the installation process

Server Group Management:Server Group management enables T-SQL queries to be issued against multiple servers from a single Central Management Server, which simplifies administration. Stream results of multi-server queries into a single result set or into multiple result sets enables the option of evaluating policies against a server group.

Management is centralized, so servers do not need to be configured individually
Provides a simpler administration model for policy evaluation

Upgrade Advisor:The Upgrade Advisor generates a report that highlights any issues that might hinder an upgrade. This provides administrators detailed information that can be used to prepare for upgrades.

Helps streamline the upgrade process by identifying upgrade issues in advance
Can be used to analyze both local and remote systems
Upgrade Advisor reports provide links to technical information that assist in addressing upgrade problems

Partition Aligned Indexed Views:Indexed Views let SQL Server persist the results of a view, instead of having to dynamically combine the results from the individual queries in the view definition. Indexed Views can now be created to follow the partitioning scheme of the table that they reference. Indexed views that are aligned in this manner do not need to be dropped before a partition is switched out of the partitioned table, as was the case with SQL Server 2005 indexed views.

Save storage space
Compressed backups can be stored on tape or on disk
Simple configuration using SQL Server Management Studio
Default state of all backups on a server to be compressed can be configured

Extended Events:The extended events infrastructure provides an in-depth troubleshooting tool that enables administrators to address difficult-to-solve problems more efficiently. Administrators can investigate excessive CPU usage, deadlocks, and application time outs as well as many other issues. Extended events data can be correlated with Windows events data to obtain a more complete picture that will aid in problem resolution.