More than 2 million terabytes of unique data are created each year. To give you some perspective of just how grand a scale this is, you could equate 1 terabyte to 660 million pages of data or 2 million books!
The value of business data has never been more important than it is today and with this comes the database technology that stores and delivers this data. In 2005, Microsoft Corporation will launch the next version of the database server, SQL Server 2005, known until now by its codename, Yukon.
At Futurex 2004, iSolve Business Solutions gave customers a sneak preview into what to expect from the next release. "iSolve has been very close to the development of SQL Server 2005 and is therefore in a unique position to share technology that is still coming down the line with customers," explains Desmond Nair, Server Product Manager for Microsoft South Africa, who opened the presentation.
iSolve has been involved in database development since the first version of Microsoft SQL Server was released and is now one of Microsoft`s selected beta partners for the next release of SQL Server. "An important factor to consider in a partnership is the partner`s ability to take the process from vision right through to deploying business value. iSolve`s focus in not only the database, but also the supporting infrastructure make them an invaluable business partner in this process," says Nair.
Never before has the maintenance and management of data been so important. The database has a role to play in the top three items that are filling the minds of IT departments currently:
1. How do we better manage costs?
2. How do we keep the business running all the time?
3. and How do we deliver business value?
SQL technology started its life cycle in the early 1990 with its origins coming from existing Sybase technology. In the last decade, the technology has moved in leaps and bounds with over 1.3 million SQL Servers now deployed across the world. This makes SQL Server the number 1 installed database in the world, explains Nair.
During the presentation, Carlien McPhee, Microsoft Consultant and Trainer for iSolve Business Solutions, focused on three of the four main pillars of importance in the database: Reliability, Availability and Security.
Reliability
"In the 90`s it didn`t matter if you did maintenance and updates at night. There is no way you can take a system down overnight these days" explains McPhee. Reliability has been a key focus area in the development of SQL Server 2005, with the product undergoing three months of stringent focus as part of Microsoft`s Trustworthy Computing initiative.
Availability
Availability has been addressed with a focus on improving the repair functionality in SQL Server 2005 through backup improvements, restore/recovery improvements and database mirroring.
Did you know?
Since the release of Service Pack 3 for SQL Server 2000 a year ago, there has been only one critical update released.
Security
The security goals for SQL Server 2005 include, defending systems against attacks, controlling personal data storage & use and ensuring that the system always works correctly. SQL Server 2005, has been built on the .Net framework to ensure the most secure platform with the least opportunity for reverse engineering
SQL Server 2005 is:
* Secure by Design - SQL was the first Microsoft system to be built with self healing capabilities
* Secure by Default - the default configuration is set-up for the most secure system
* Secure by Deployment by enforcing the principle of least privilege
Did You Know?
The coding in SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000 was checked manually line-by-line. Fortunately an automated tool has now been built for SQL Server 2005.
"The fourth pillar in SQL Server 2005 is Business Intelligence - the ability to convert raw data into information that is delivered in a robust and timely manner to enable businesses to make decisions" explains Roy Dunlop, SQL Server Consultant at iSolve Business Solutions.
SQL Server 2004 is a major release in terms of the Business Intelligence functionality and provides an end-to-end platform from data collection to delivery. SQL Server 2005 also makes development easier with an integrated management system called SQL Management Studio, which replaces tools like Enterprise Manager and Query Analyser and includes new tools such as Performance Profiler. Useful tools have also been included to create data warehouses more readily, with wizards to create cubes with just two clicks. This integrated experience will aid developers and authors of systems to create their required environment. In addition SQL Server 2005 includes the end-to-end development tools, so investment in third party development tools is no longer required.
Did You Know?
With SQL Server 2005 and Windows Server 2003 you can run three different versions on the same server box. These management tools play an important role when migrating to the new version of SQL Server.
The database has grown from a stand alone environment with data captured on mainframes offering low accessibility to users, through the network enabled era where data was more readily available and transportable. The future relies on connectivity and SQL Server 2005 provides services for distributed security portals, wireless, web farms, orchestration, content management, collaboration, e-commerce, web services, internet, client/server environment, PC`s, minicomputers and mainframes.
"Customers should invest in a new version of SQL Server in terms of the advantages it provides in terms of seamless integration with existing XML systems, the next generation file-system, the ability to build and deploy applications rapidly (RAD) and the ability to build and deploy more reliable and secure applications," concludes Dunlop.
Did You Know?
A new version of MSDE called SQL Express and a new version of SQL CE for devices will be launched in the same timeframe as SQL Server 2005.
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