Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Community Technology Preview 1

Microsoft have released a preview of Microsoft SQL Server 2014, boasting a range of new features including in-memory data capabilities and easier methods of making your database suitable for the Cloud.

The main new features include:

Vastly Increased Performance (Using In-Memory)

In-Memory means that the entire database is stored within the server's working memory, rather than stored on the hard disk of a server. Why is this a benefit?

• It's much quicker to INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE from data in the memory rather than data on the hard disk.  
• Every single one of your database tables can have their performance increased without having to buy new expensive hardware. This increase in speed will bring way to "real-time" data management, where queries can be run in fractions of a millisecond.
• Paging will be faster as the SQL Server in-memory buffer pool has been extended to include solid state drives, which also increases query performance.

Improved Reliability, Security and Scalability

Reliability

• Enhanced AlwaysOn means that there will no longer be downtime during online indexing operations.

Security

• It is now possible for the administrator of the database to maintain its contents without looking at personal and confidential data.

Scalability

• A new tool called the Resource Governor provides a new way of evaluating query cost, which will make it easier to predict performance and therefore easier to predict performance as the database increases in size.
• You can have up to 640 logical processors and 4TB of memory on a physical server.
• You can have up to 64 virtual processors and 1TB of memory on a virtual machine. 

Cloud Capabilities

• SQL Server 2014 uses a step by step wizard to makes it easier to migrate your database and application onto Windows Azure. 
• Backups of your system can also be created and stored on the Cloud, even if the database itself is on a physical machine. 
• Microsoft will also be providing support for moving to a Cloud based environment as well as a physical environment (seeing as trends show that more and more people are switching to the cloud as a way to store their data). 

For more information and to download the trial, take a look at the Microsoft website:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/sql-server-2014.aspx

At A Glance...

Seeing as these are only the main announcements I've listed here in this blog post, it appears that the next release of SQL Server could be quite major. Some would argue that it's only been 14 months since 2012 was released, would it be too soon (and a waste of time and resources) to upgrade? Well if you're thinking of database scalability and especially moving to the cloud, it could be too early to tell but keep an eye on this release as I feel it may be beneficial.

What Next...

Over the weekend, I am going to install the 2014 CTP on my home computer and check out the new features. On Monday, I will write a short review on ease of installation, ease of use and give a quick low down on how positive my experience with the software was. Stay tuned!

As A Final Word...

Thank you for reading today's blog post! If you have any questions/comments/feedback, please leave them in the comments section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Alternatively, please like my SQL Genius Facebook Page and leave a message on there.

Have a great weekend everyone! :)