When SQL Server 2005 was released, I was caught unprepared by all of the new features in the release.  I didn't have the time or hardware resources to test the new version before it was released and didn't want to fall behind other colleagues taking advantage of the new functionality 2005 provided.  Many DBAs have shared with me a similar story and I found this to be a common problem for the busy DBA.  With this in mind, PASS and MaximumASP wanted to create an environment where SQL Server professionals could preview the new features of SQL 2008 without having to take the time and resources to set up a test environment of their own. 
 
However, creating a test environment that could support thousands of users and databases was not a simple task.  Fortunately, Dell and Intel were able to assist in creating an infrastructure ...

I believe that I have figured out what is happening with the TempDB.   If you enable the performance data warehouse,  it will store the performance data in TempDB while it is collecting the data.  So if you use this feature, watch your tempDB space closely.

In SQL 2005, tempdb management became a bigger issue.  Truthfully I did not do much to manage tempdb on my 2005 servers, placed it on a separate drive when I could and made sure it a couple of gigs of space and then ignored it.  However, I have noticed that in SQL 2008 temp db may need a little more careful watch.  On these beta servers, I have allocated twice the space for tempdb than I did in SQL 2005 and several times we have run out of space.  I suspect that some users may be trying out the new features of table variables a little more in-depth than our customers.   I have set up a trace on the tempdb so I can get a better idea of how it is being used and I will let you know what I find out.

There is now a script on the Terminal Server desktop that will create the AdventureWorksLT database for you.

We pushed up the Light version because the regular AdventureWorks database doesn't leave enough free space for you to experiment with.

Thanks!

I will be speaking on SQL 2008 at SQL Connections in Orlando.  If you will be there please stop by and see me.  My 2008 session is entitled "SQL 2008 Goes Enterprise"  the majority of session will be on DMF.

Yesterday I talked about how the ability to query mulitple servers was my favorite feature in SQL 2008.  Today, I thought I would tell you how it work and it could not be simpler.  

From the View menu on the menubar, open Registered Servers

Perhaps it is the old librarian in me, but I have always liked to classify things.   I have always used Server Groups.  I have noticed though that a lot of other dbas do not seem to use them very often.   Anyway.  

There is a lot to love about SQL 2008 and while I will be upgrading as much as possble to 2008 for the Policy Based Management functionality which will make my life so much better, I think my most favorite thing about 2008 is a small thing.  The ability to query multiple servers from Studio Manager.   When you manage a number of servers, looking up simple things can take a time.  For instance, everyday I want to know how many databases do I have on the beta servers so that I can plan for our hardware needs.  In previous versions, I would need to write a little app that would use linked servers to connect to each server and pull back this information and then aggregate myself.   Once you write this not a big deal, but it is a hassle and I would prefer to not to have to deal with linked servers whenever possible,  Now I simply query ...

Welcome the SQL Server Beta.  I am Sarah Barela the Senior Database Administrator at Maximum ASP.  My colleague Ryan Jones and I are responsible for keeping the SQL 2008 Beta Servers up and running.  We hope that you enjoy playing with SQL Server2008, but please bear with us as we are learning along with you about all the new features and functionality in each CTP release.