SQL Server 2014 Customer Technology Preview 2 Now Available for Download

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Customer Technology Preview 2 (CTP2) is now available for download. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available as ISO image and CAB file in the following languages: English, Chinese (Traditional), German, Japanese, Spanish. It also available on Windows Azure.

Overview
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 builds on the mission-critical capabilities delivered in the prior release by providing breakthrough performance, availability and manageability for your mission critical applications. SQL Server 2014 delivers new in-memory capabilities built into the core database for OLTP and data warehousing, which complement our existing in-memory data warehousing and BI capabilities for the most comprehensive in-memory database solution in the market.

SQL Server 2014 also provides new disaster recovery and backup solutions with Windows Azure, enabling customers to use their existing skills with the on-premises product offerings to take advantage of Microsoft’s global datacenters. In addition, SQL Server 2014 takes advantage of new Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 capabilities to give you unparalleled scalability for your database application in a physical or virtual environment.

What's new in SQL Server 2014?
Here are some of the key features of SQL Server 2014:

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.

In-Memory Updateable ColumnStore: 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.

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.

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.

Encrypted Backup: Provides encryption support for backups, on-premise and in Windows Azure.

IO Resource Governance: Resource pools now support configuration of minimum and maximum IOPS per volume, enabling more comprehensive resource isolation controls.

Hybrid Scenarios:
  • Smart Backup: Provides management and automation of SQL Server backups (from on-premise and Windows Azure) to Windows Azure storage.
  • Add Azure Replica Wizard: Easily add replicas in Windows Azure to on-premise Availability Groups.
  • SQL XI (XStore Integration): Supports SQL Server Database files (from on-premise and Windows Azure) on Windows Azure Storage blobs.
  • Deployment Wizard: Easily deploy on-premise SQL Server databases to Windows Azure.

Download SQL Server 2014 Customer Technology Preview 2
The links in this section correspond to files available for this download. Download the files appropriate for you.

Notes:
1. Registration Required: You must register with Microsoft account (Hotmail, Messenger, SkyDrive, Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE or Outlook.com) to receive this download.
2. Evaluation expires March 14, 2014.

To access technical product resources-such as evaluation guides, demos, training courses, and forums please visit SQL Server 2014 CTP2 Resource page.

Reference:
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 CTP2

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