Keep SQL Server 2008 Running

If you're not immediately upgrading to SQL Server 2014, we understand. SQL Server 2008 still remains the most popular version of SQL Server currently in use. Since we know you're not the only one still maintaining SQL Server 2008, we've gathered our 10 most popular SQL Server 2008 resources for your quick reference.

1. Connecting SQL Server and Oracle Using Linked Servers - Learn how to use SQL Server 2008’s linked server functionality to connect to an Oracle 11g database.

2. SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions - Considering that SQL Server 2008 R2 was an interim release, Microsoft  introduced several significant changes. Get an overview of the seven SQL Server 2008 R2 Editions which Microsoft better aligned with the Windows Server editions.

3. Gathering Deadlock Information with Deadlock Graph - Using the Deadlock graph event class lets you easily gather information on SQL Server deadlocks that you can display graphically in SQL Server Profiler or SQL Server Management Studio or review in XML for more detailed information.

4. Query Performance Tuning - Performance tuning is half science and half art form. Learn about the science half of the tuning process.

5. Touring the Tablix in SQL Server Reporting Services - The tablix provides a lot more flexibility for your data layout than its counterparts provided in earlier versions of SQL Server. Not only do you have more flexibility, but you have the option of rearranging the layout rather than starting a new layout if you discover that a matrix would be better than a table or vice versa.

6. SQL Server 2008 LOB Data Types - To help you find the best way to store your LOB data, it’s necessary to understand the differences between SQL Server’s LOB data types.

7. Minimally Logged Inserts - Learn which insert methods can benefit from minimal logging, to improve your statements' performance.

8. Managing Multi-Select Parameters in SSRS - You can let users choose more than one option in a report's pick list even when the report uses a parameter-driven query. Improvements to the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Report Processor make it easy.

9. How to Dynamically Create and Maintain Table Partitions - Loading new data and purging old data from a table can take a lot of time if a large amount of data is involved. Here's an elegant partition solution that loads and purges data dynamically.

10. Backup Basics for SQL Server Analysis Services - As your SSAS databases become increasingly important, they should also become part of your backup strategy. Here’s how to preserve this crucial data.

Migrating to SQL Server 2012

In case an upgrade to SQL Server 2012 is in your future, be sure to check out our comprehensive project plan for migrating to SQL Server 2012.