SQL Server 2008 RTM has been released!

Question

SQL Server 2008 was released to manufacturing a few days ago.  You can download it on MSDN Subscriber Downloads and TechNet Subscriber Downloads.  Either search for SQL Server 2008 or navigate under Servers then to SQL Server 2008:

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx
• http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx

SQL Server 2008 is a large release and also includes many new features and significant changes in Reporting Services 2008. 

 

You can read a brief summary of changes in Reporting Services 2008 compared to the previous release in this blog posting.  Details about the Report Builder 2.0 release plan are available here.

 

There are currently several major releases of Reporting Services (2000, 2005, 2008) including service packs, as well as Report Viewer control releases in VS 2005 and VS 2008.  Furthermore, there are several other Microsoft products that use Reporting Services beneath the covers (e.g. Dynamics CRM, System Center Operations Manager).  We recommend to clearly indicate when posting on this forum which version of Reporting Services you are using, so that your questions can be answered more accurately.

 

Thanks,

Robert

 

Answer 1

Anyone know when SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services will be available to download?

Answer 2

Hi,

 

Can you please let me know the major differences between Feb CTP and RTM versions, especially in Reporting Services?

 

Thanks

Answer 3

Hi Rajesh,

 

There were quite a lot of changes since CTP February.  The major incremental changes between CTP February and RC0 (June) are covered in the following posting (http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3456934&SiteID=1).

 

A general summary of major new features in RS 2008 RTM is available here: http://blogs.msdn.com/robertbruckner/archive/2008/08/06/Sql-Server-2008-RTM.aspx

 

Hope this helps,

-- Robert

 

 

Answer 4

> Anyone know when SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services will be available to download?

 

It is available now:

 

* SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (ENU):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B5D1B8C3-FDA5-4508-B0D0-1311D670E336&displaylang=en

* SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools (ENU):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7522A683-4CB2-454E-B908-E805E9BD4E28&displaylang=en

 

-- Robert

Answer 5

Report Builder 2.0 RC1 is now available on Microsoft Download Center.  Use this link for download.  RC1 delivers improvements in the following areas compared to RC0:

• Easy to use wizards for creating table, matrix and chart data regions.
• Support for directly opening and editing reports stored on the report server.
• Support for using server resources such as shared data sources.
• A query designer for Microsoft SQL Server data sources.
• Enhancements to the Report Builder 2.0 ribbon.

Please direct your feedback to this forum and/or http://connect.microsoft.com.

 

Thanks,

Robert

Answer 6

There is a bug that was reported in RC0 that hasn't been fixed by this release!

 

See here

 

http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3497591&SiteID=1

 

Cheers

Damien

 

p.s. any time frame on fix?

 

Answer 7

As indicated in the latest post in Microsoft Connect on this issue, a fix is slated for the first SQL Server 2008 CU. This is not a Public CU, so you will need to contact CSS to request the fix.

Answer 8

Btw, here is the KB for CU#1: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/956717/en-us

There is also a new self-service link at the top of the KB which enables direct download as well after registering.

 

-- Robert

 

Answer 9

Thanks Robert, I was getting a little annoyed with all the "This is not public release gaff" I understand the terms just needed a link which you provided. Thanks very much.

 

Cheers

Damien

 

Answer 10

 

 

Do 2008 reports work with the .NET 2008 Report Viewer control? I believe i read somewhere that they are not, if this is the case do we have any ETA on when a they will, if at all?

Answer 11

When I try to install all features except Replication and Full Text, on my XP-Pro SP3 machine, Reporting Services fails, complaining about the service account.  I eventually installed all except the above two features and omitted RS, too.

 

Now that I need a development RS instance I went back the the MSDN DVD's installer to add RS as a feature.  All is well until I get to the Service Account tab, which shows a grey, empty tab...  "Next >" is enabled, and I can go through the entire configuration exercise only to be rejected, again, by an install dialog box telling me there's an issue with the service account...  I am Admin on the box, BTW...

 

Am I barking up the wrong tree even trying to install RS2008 on XP-Pro?  Or is this a bug common to others, perhaps with a fix...???

 

 

 

Answer 12

I habe installed all versions of SQL Server 2008 (CTPs & RTM). There have been issues but SQL 2008 can be installed on XP-Pro. You may need to install SP3 as well and at least IE 6.0 or above.

I have some notes on an earlier version which may be useful. This site also has some notes on RS by non-biased MS user.

http://hodentek.blogspot.com/2008/01/are-you-planning-to-install-sql-2008.html

Answer 13

Sorry, SP3 is installed and always was.  I've uninstalled SS2005 in its entirety, although I had only installed a few components for SSIS and had no RS or DB instance configured.  Rebooted and still I get the empty grey tab when adding RS.  I have no other issues on this machine and it's only five months in service.

 

Although I read your article, I searched the PACKT site for "Reporting Services 2008" and came up empty, so I don't know where to reference the "notes on RS by non-biased MS user" you cited.

 

Still needing help...

Answer 14

If you want a summary of new features, there's a video on the SQL Server 2008 webcasts and virtual labs site called New Features in SQL Server 2008 for Developers. 

Answer 15

Hello SAinCA,

I have the same problem as you on a Windows Server 2003 machine with SQL Server 2005 installed.
Did you managed to get this working?

Cheers,
  René