Learning Resources

SQL Server 2008 Learning Resources

Get to know SQL Server 2008 and learn how it provides a trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform to run your most demanding mission critical applications.

Discover
Try
Train
Certify

Discover

SQL Server 2008 offers a comprehensive set of features and technologies. Take a first look through webcasts, guided tours, and demos, and discover a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Demos and Videos
Learn more about SQL Server through these demos and videos.
Webcasts
Find in-person, upcoming, and recorded events and webcasts that can help you learn more about SQL Server 2008.
Podcasts
Stream or download these audio podcasts on to your favorite podcast or mobile device and quickly and easily access content with RSS feeds to learn about SQL Server 2008. These podcasts are free and do not require registration—just click, listen, and learn.
TechNet Podcasts
Channel 9 Podcasts

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Try

Experience SQL Server 2008 enhancements first-hand. Virtual labs provide full access to released SQL Server 2008 features from your desktop, without complex setup or installation requirements.

Test Drive
Instantly try out the latest release of Microsoft SQL Server 2008. Simply log on to our test-drive environment and discover firsthand all that SQL Server 2008 has to offer. You can explore the product on your own, or follow along with a number of guided exercises and videos.
Virtual Labs
Experience Microsoft SQL Server 2008 hands on, and see how it can provide a scalable, high-performance database engine for mission-critical applications that require the highest levels of availability and security. Virtual labs are simple, with no complex setup or installation required. You get a downloadable manual and 90-minute block of time for each nodule.
Trial Software
Download the latest SQL Server 2008 Community Technology Preview (CTP) and try out the latest features for 180 days! Share your feedback; the SQL Server development team uses your feedback to help refine and enhance product features.

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Train

Build your SQL Server 2008 skills by taking training courses. New courses will roll out over the upcoming months – check back often for updates.

Microsoft SQL Server lets businesses integrate, manage, and deliver data like never before, and Microsoft Learning provides you with a wide variety of training, books, and certifications to use that energy to the fullest.
- Visit the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Learning Portal
- Visit the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Learning Portal
The complete free SQL Server 2008 E-Book offer is available now!
Written by industry experts Peter DeBetta, Greg Low, and Mark Whitehorn, “Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2008” will lead you through major new features in SQL Server 2008, including security, administration, performance, high availability, and business intelligence. Register now for this offer.

SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit

SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit
The SQL Server 2008 Developer Training Kit will help you understand how to build web applications which deeply exploit the rich data types, programming models and new development paradigms in SQL Server 2008.

Highlights from the new SQL Server 2008 training courses

6187 e-Clinic: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Activate this Microsoft Official E-Learning clinic for free, and get a rich multimedia experience to introduce you to new and enhanced features in SQL Server 2008, including new data types and data management features through three free clinic offers.
6156 Instructor-Led Course: First Look: What's New in SQL Server 2008
This half-day instructor-led course introduces students to the new features in Microsoft SQL Server 2008. Review the syllabus and find training in a city near you.
6157 Hands-On Lab: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008
This half-day hands-on lab focuses on new features and components in the relational database, business intelligence, and the development environment. Review the outline and find training in a city near you.
6158A Instructor-Led Course: Updating Your SQL Server 2005 Skills to SQL Server 2008
This three-day instructor-led course provides students with the knowledge and skills to upgrade their SQL Server 2005 skills to SQL Server 2008. Review the syllabus and find training in a city near you.
6258AE e-Clinic: New Features of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services
Activate this e-learning clinic for free, and get a rich multimedia experience to introduce developers, administrators, and users to new features of Reporting Services in Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

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Certify

Microsoft certification is one of the most effective ways for individuals to reach their career goals and organizations to gain competitive advantage through increased customer satisfaction, reduced network downtime, and higher service levels.

Learn more about how to invest in your future with a SQL Server Certification Second Shot
Second Shot
With Second Shot, if you do not pass a Microsoft Certification exam on your first try, we’ll let you retake the exam for free.
As an additional incentive to work toward a Microsoft Certification, from October 15, 2008, to December 31, 2008, if you pass a Microsoft Certification exam on your first try, you get a 25 percent discount on a different exam. Register now at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/offers/secondshot
Price Reduction on Retiring and Developer Upgrade Exams (WW)
Microsoft Learning announces a 40% price reduction on retiring Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification and on the upgrade Exam 70-447: UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 to help customers who have earned the MCDBA (SQL Server 2000) certification to transition their skills to the newer MCITP certification available on SQL Server 2005.