Specifications

SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions CHAPTER 1 11
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Hyper-V improvements Building on the approval and success of the original
Hyper-V release, Windows Server 2008 R2 delivers several new capabilities to the
Hyper-V platform to further improve the SQL Server virtualization experience. First,
availability can be stepped up with the introduction of Live Migration, which makes it
possible to move SQL Server virtual machines (VMs) between Hyper-V hosts without
service interruption. Second, Hyper-V can make use of up to 64 logical processors in
the host processor pool, which allows for consolidation of a greater number of SQL
Server VMs on a single Hyper-V host. Third, Dynamic Virtual Machine Storage, a new
feature, allows for the addition of virtual or physical disks to an existing VM without
requiring the VM to be restarted.
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Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Manager Server Manager has been optimized
in Windows Server 2008 R2. It is usually used to centrally manage and secure multiple
server roles across SQL Server instances running Windows Server 2008 R2. Remote
management of connections to remote computers is achievable with Server Manager.
Server Manager also includes a new Best Practices Analyzer tool to report best prac-
tice violations.
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Best Practices Analyzer (BPA) Although there are only a few roles on Windows
Server 2008 R2 that the BPA can collect data for, this tool is still a good investment
because it helps reduce best practice violations, which ultimately helps x and prevent
deterioration in performance, scalability, and downtime.
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Windows PowerShell 2.0 Windows Server 2008 R2 ships with Windows Power-
Shell 2.0. In addition to allowing DBAs to run Windows PowerShell commands against
remote computers and run commands as asynchronous background jobs, Windows
PowerShell 2.0 features include new and improved Windows Management Instru-
mentation (WMI) cmdlets, a script debugging feature, and a graphical environment
for creating scripts. DBAs can improve their productivity with Windows PowerShell by
simplifying, automating, and consolidating repetitive tasks and server management
processes across a distributed SQL Server environment.
SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions
SQL Server 2008 R2 is available in nine different editions. The editions were designed to meet
the needs of almost any customer and are broken down into the following three categories:
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Premium editions
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Core editions
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Specialized editions