SQL Server Solution Center

Key Resources

SQL Server Product Home Page
Visit the SQL Server Home Page for product information, trial software, demos, purchasing options, technical resources and more.

Try it Now: SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2008 R2 final RTM and trial versions are available now.

SQL Server 2008 R2 Release Notes
Download the release notes for SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server Downloads
Get add-ins, tools, and documentation that you can download from Microsoft.

IT Professionals: SQL Server TechCenter on TechNet
The SQL Server TechCenter is the primary resource for IT Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Developers: SQL Server Developer Center
The SQL Server Developer Center is the primary resource for Developers seeking resources to customize and create integrations for SQL Server.

IT Professionals: SQL Server Update Management
This portal contains valuable information/links for maintaining SQL Server and all of your Microsoft systems. Here you'll find information and destinations including a link to the SQL Server Release Services blog with detailed Cumulative Update (PCU) information.

Top Solutions

How to Troubleshoot SQL Server 2008 Setup Issues
This article describes how to troubleshoot issues that you may experience when you install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 by using SQL Server 2008 log files.

How to identify your SQL Server version and edition
This article describes how to identify your current Microsoft SQL Server version number and the corresponding product or service pack level. It also describes how to identify the specific edition of SQL Server you are using.

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2008
This article discusses the general Service Pack philosophy, and enumerates the Service Packs available for SQL Server 2008.

How to configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections
When you try to connect to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 from a remote computer, you may receive an error message.  This error could be displayed from several different programs, if they are  program to connect to SQL Server.

How to import data from Excel to SQL Server
This step-by-step article demonstrates how to import data from Microsoft Excel worksheets into Microsoft SQL Server databases by using a variety of methods.

How to move SQL Server databases to a new location by using Detach and Attach functions in SQL Server
This article describes how to change the location of the data files and of the log files for a SQL Server database.

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005
This article discusses the general Service Pack philosophy, and enumerates the Service Packs available for SQL Server 2005.

How to uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2005 manually
This article describes how to uninstall a stand-alone instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 manually.

How to remove duplicate rows from a table in SQL Server
This article provides guidance on how to eliminate duplicate primary keys from your SQL Server database.

List of the bugs that are fixed in SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3
This article contains information about the bugs that are fixed in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 3 (SP3).

How to stop the transaction log of a SQL Server database from growing unexpectedly
This article describes the steps that you must follow when the transaction logs expand to an unacceptable limit.

Upgrading your SQL Server

SQL Server 2008 R2 Release Notes
Download the release notes for SQL Server 2008 R2.

Upgrading to SQL Server 2008
Find comprehensive resources for upgrading from older versions of SQL Server to SQL Server 2008.

SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor.  Upgrade Advisor analyzes instances of SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 to help you prepare for upgrades to SQL Server 2008.

Resources for Upgrading to SQL Server 2008
Use these resources as aids in upgrading to SQL Server 2008, also available from a downloadable white paper.

Migrating to SQL Server

Migrating to Microsoft SQL Server
SQL Server 2008 delivers exceptional value in Database Management and Business Intelligence causing many customers to choose SQL Server over other database solutions. The information on this page will help you find the resources needed to migrate your data to SQL Server.

Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for SQL Server 2008 Migration
Download the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit for SQL Server now, to help assess your IT environment and accelerate your migration to SQL Server.

SQL Server Migration Assistant Tools
A complete suite of tools that dramatically cut the effort, cost, and risk of migrating from another database to SQL Server.

Moving your SQL Server

Move a database from one server to another server in SQL Server 2008
This blog post enumerates the various ways to move/copy a database from one server to another server using SQL Server Tools.

How to move SQL Server databases to a new location by using Detach and Attach functions in SQL Server
This article provides step-by-step details on how to change the location of the data files and of the log files for any Microsoft SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2000, or SQL Server 7.0 database.

Moving SQL Server 7.0 databases to a new server with BACKUP and RESTORE
This article describes how to restore database backups for users and systems onto another SQL Server 7.0 installation that has different drive letter configurations from the server to which you originally backed up the databases.

How to move SQL Server from Standalone to Cluster environment
This blog post provides guidance on how to move a standalone SQL Server to clustered SQL Server.

Tools

SQL Server Tools Forum
Ask questions and research discussions related specifically to SQL Server tools.

Tools and Utilities Documentation Map
SQL Server 2008 R2 BOL tools and utilities documentation map.

SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Feature Pack, a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2008.

Learn

PowerPivot Components Overview
Learn more about PowerPivot Excel and SharePoint components from the SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online.

PowerPivot Overview Video
Check out the PowerPivot overview on the TechNet Wiki.

PowerPivot for Excel Installation Tutorial
Check out the PowerPivot Add-In for Excel 2010 installation tutorial on the TechNet Wiki.

Download, Learn, and Explore
PowerPivot gives users the power to create compelling self-service BI solutions, facilitates sharing and collaboration on user-generated BI solutions in a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 environment, and enables IT organizations to increase operational efficiencies through Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2-based management tools.

PowerPivot YouTube Videos
PowerPivot instructional videos on the SQL Server YouTube site.

Support and Assistance

PowerPivot for SharePoint Requirements
PowerPivot for Sharepoint hardware and software requirements.

PowerPivot for SharePoint Installation Assistance
The SQL Server 2008 R2 BOL documentation includes several HowTo articles to help you with your PowerPivot for SharePoint installation.

PowerPivot for SharePoint Forum
Visit the PowerPivot for SharePoint forum to read important announcements, and discuss issues relating to server set up and configuration, publication of workbooks, data refresh and workbook monitoring.

PowerPivot for Excel Forum
Visit the PowerPivot for Excel forum to read important announcements, and discuss issues relating to importing data, building relationships, and using DAX within the PowerPivot window.

The Great PowerPivot FAQ
Hosted by PowerPivotPro, moderated by PowerPivot experts from the community.

PowerPivotGeek Blog
Dave Wickert's blog devoted to PowerPivot from a geek's point of view.

Community Resources

Microsoft SQL Server on YouTube
Check out the Microsoft SQL Server channel on YouTube.  Subscribe and watch videos from the SQL Server Community Team.

TechNet Wiki
The home of community-generated content about Microsoft technologies — that anyone can edit!

SQL Server Community Center
Visit the SQL Server community page to network with peers, share knowledge and code, to stay current, and to learn from the experts.

SQL Server Community Com-PASS Feeds (registration required)
Feeds from the Professional Association for SQL Server community, providing broad insight to the Microsoft SQL Server and business intelligence communities.

SQL Server Facebook Page
Visit the SQL Server page on Facebook to access news and announcements and to connect with other members of the SQL Server community.

SQL Server Twitter Feed
Follow SQL Server on Twitter to get the latest news on SQL Server.

Ask the Community

IT Professionals: Post a question or search for answers in the TechNet forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Developers: Post a question or search for answers in the MSDN forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Blogs

SQL Server Blogs
Access a list of blogs by the SQL Server Team, by MVPs and by other experts.

PowerPivot Team Blog
Access information, tips, news and announcements about PowerPivot directly from the product team.

PowerPivotGeek Blog
Dave Wickert's blog devoted to PowerPivot from a geek's point of view.

Self-Support Options

Search the Knowledge Base
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues with SQL Server.

IT Professionals: Post a question or search for answers in the TechNet forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Developers: Post a question or search for answers in the MSDN forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

IT Professionals: SQL Server TechCenter on TechNet
The following support pages on the SQL Server TechCenter are available:

SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2005

Developers: SQL Server Developer Center
SQL Server Troubleshooting and Support.

Microsoft Premier Customers
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can select available support options on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

Assisted Support Options: Paid Incident Support

Assisted Support Options: Contract Incident Support

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN Subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can select available support options on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

Microsoft Premier Customers
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

View Support Lifecycle Information

Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy
Visit the Support Lifecycle Policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product lifecycle.

SQL Server Lifecycle Policies

SQL Server 2008 R2

SQL Server 2008

SQL Server 2005

SQL Server 2000

SQL Server 7.0

Older Versions