Download Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (180-Days Trial)

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 is now available as a free download from MSDN Evaluation Center. This evaluation provides a 180-days trial of Microsoft SQL Server 2014.

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 Microsoft 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 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 Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (Evaluation)
For a full description of the new features and improvements, system requirements, and the download links, see: MSDN Evaluation Center - Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (Evaluation)

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

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

References:
Microsoft SQL Server
SQL Server 2014 Release Notes

No comments: