This week has seen the release of a number of significant milestones for SQL Server.
The first and most anticipated release this week was the next Community Technology Preview (CTP) for SQL Server Denali. Denali is the codename for the next release of SQL Server which is schedule for release later this year. The full list of all the CTP3 downloads for Denali can be found below:
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – Feature Pack
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – PowerPivot
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – Report Builder
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – Semantic Language Statistics
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – Reporting Services Add-in for Microsoft SharePoint
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – Master Data Services Add-in For Microsoft Excel
SQL Server Denali CTP3 – SQL Server Developer Tools, Codename “Juneau”
The other major release this week was Service Pack 1 for SQL Server 2008 R2. The Service Pack can be downloaded from here.